Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions 2026

This grant opportunity provides funding to eligible entities to facilitate student participation in a project involving in-person or virtual STEM events, activities, or competitions hosted in Australia or overseas.

The intended outcomes of the opportunity are to:

• support Australian students to develop STEM skills
• increase the number of students applying to participate in domestic and international STEM competitions and events
• increase the number of students participating in STEM education and going on to a career in STEM
• increase engagement and participation in groups underrepresented in STEM.

This grant opportunity aims to increase STEM participation among students from schools with lower Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA) values.

Up to $1.6 million is available for this grant opportunity for the 2025-26 financial year.

• Stream 1: At least $1 million in funding is available for applications on behalf of Australian student(s) enrolled in a school with an ICSEA value of 1000 or below. Funding under this stream does not cover participation in international competitions held overseas.
• Stream 2: Up to $600,000 in funding is available for applications on behalf of Australian student(s) enrolled in schools with any ICSEA value. Funding under this stream is intended for participation in in-person or virtual international STEM competitions held overseas.

Multiple applications can be made from a single applicant for different STEM events, activities or competitions. However, when totalled, the funding requested across all applications cannot exceed $15,000 for Stream 1 and $25,000 for Stream 2. The maximum funding that may be requested across both streams is $40,000.