Maker Projects Community STEM Engagement Grants 2026

Maker Projects Grants aim to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning. They support the development of STEM skills in students and youth under 18 years of age in design, engineering and programming, through hands-on learning.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• deliver projects where students and youth under 18 years of age, at the time of application, can develop and apply their STEM knowledge through experimentation, tinkering and hands-on learning by engaging with a range of technologies
• encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through the delivery of hands-on STEM-related events and activities
• inspire students and youth under 18 years of age to pursue further studies and careers in STEM
• make projects accessible to as many young people as possible, including those in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas
• make a positive and ongoing impact on students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM including as defined in the glossary of the grant opportunity guidelines.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

• increased practical knowledge and skills in scientific experimentation, design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship through hands-on activities for students and youth
• increased accessibility and participation in STEM-related events and activities for students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM as defined in the glossary
• positive and ongoing development of STEM skills for participating students and youth, fostered through hands-on inquiry-based learning.

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian business number (ABN)

And are one of the following entities:

• an entity, incorporated in Australia
• an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• an incorporated association
• an incorporated not for profit organisation
• a publicly funded research organisation (PFRO)
• a government or non-government vocational education and training (VET) provider as defined in section 14 of the grant opportunity guidelines.

You must also deliver the project through a collaborative partnership where:

• the partnership must be established prior to the submission of your application
• the partnership must include at least one partner organisation during the life of the project
• the partnering organisation/s must be active participants in the delivery of the project and not just beneficiaries of the proposed activities.