What is the National Science Week Grants?
The National Science Week Grants 2022 is a program that provides individuals and organisations with funding to support the delivery of science engagement activities during National Science Week 2022.
Background
National Science Week is Australia’s major national celebration of the sciences, occurring in August each year. National Science Week 2022 will be held 13-21 August 2022. National Science Week provides the opportunity for community participation in high profile science engagement activities across the nation.
The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:
- inspire wide community participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
- provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge
- encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public
- encourage younger people to become fascinated by the world we live in.
Funding
The Australian Government has committed a total of $7.23 million per year in ongoing funding for the program. For National Science Week Grants, up to $500,000 is available each year.
The grant amount will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project expenditure (grant percentage).
- The minimum grant amount is $2,000.
- The maximum grant amount is $20,000.
The program will only award applications of exceptional merit the maximum grant amount of $20,000.
The value of your project must exceed the grant you are seeking to cover any ineligible expenditure. You must have additional funding or in-kind contributions from other sources to support any ineligible expenditure on the project.
Eligible Projects
To be eligible your project must be directed towards a science-related activity that will be conducted in Australia during National Science Week 2022, or where appropriate, in the week before or after National Science Week 2022.
Your project must address one or more of the following purposes:
- draw the nation’s attention towards the sciences
- spark broad interest and engagement in the sciences
- provide an opportunity for all Australians, including those historically underrepresented in the sciences (such as girls and women, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people residing in regional or remote locations, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds), to participate in science events and activities
- foster partnerships between the community, research organisations and industry
- trial new and innovative science communication activities.
Your project must engage the general public and be delivered in at least one of the following formats:
- an in-person event involving physical attendance
- an online event involving two-way audience participation or involvement.
You must have a contingency project plan in place if the event delivery format must change. For example, your contingency project plan could include:
- plans for virtual/online participation in your event
- virtual tours
- online streaming of events, with audience participation (e.g. through a live Q&A session).
Examples of eligible activities
- events relating to existing exhibitions (including travelling exhibitions)
- cinema and theatre
- debates
- quizzes
- open days
- interactive presentations and workshops
- expos and fairs
- forums
- events that relate to the theme for that particular International Year
- events that relate to the National Science Week 2022 school theme
- online events that include two-way audience participation or involvement, such as interactive virtual tours, online Q&As or online workshops.
Eligible Applicants
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible activity
- have eligible expenditure.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
Covid Contingency Plan
You will need to have a COVID-19 contingency plan (for COVID-19 social distancing measures and restrictions). You will also be required to comply with COVID-19 social distancing measures and restrictions in place when delivering your project. Please refer to the grant opportunity guidelines for more information on COVID-19 in relation to the National Science Week Grants 2021.
Timing
Applications close 21 October 2021.
