This grant supports the development of STEM-focused initiatives for the NSW Education curriculum covering natural hazards to improve student learning outcomes and build resilience in communities.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $400,000
- Application opened: 1 February 2023
- Application closed: 2 April 2024, 10:00 am
Program objective
This program aims to enhance the STEM education and skill development of students in kindergarten through to year 12 through the implementation of program/s that focus on technologies directly relevant to the management and response of natural hazards.
This strategic focus is intended to inspire the next generation of innovators and technologists by not only educating but also igniting the curiosity of students in technological domains.
The objectives of the program are:
- Enhance STEM education and skill development for K–12 students in NSW.
- Focus on technologies that are directly relevant to the management and response of natural hazards, creating a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application.
- Motivate and empower an emerging cohort of technologists.
This program is funded and administered by Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program applicants must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have an account with an Australian financial institution
- be headquartered in NSW
- demonstrate that all project activities will take place in NSW schools
- ensure all grant monies are used on activities undertaken to deliver the program in NSW schools
- demonstrate alignment to content descriptions and student learning outcomes in relevant fields in the NSW curriculum for students in K-12
- demonstrate any funding received from other NSW or other state or federal government grant programs does not duplicate activities requested under the program.
Who is eligible to apply
- companies incorporated under the Corporations Act (including a company limited by guarantee)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust
- incorporated associations
- partnerships
- registered charity or not-for-profit organisations
- NSW public research organisations
- public sector organisations or other organisations, such as not-for-profit organisations
- individuals who agree to form such an entity so that DEIT can enter into a legally binding funding agreement.
Who can’t apply
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- insolvent
- an individual
- an unincorporated association
- part of a consortia or partnership with a business that is insolvent.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects must align to content descriptions and student learning outcomes in relevant fields, including:
- for secondary students the STEM, geography and/or iSTEM curricula
- for primary the science and technology curriculum, or suitable alternative curriculum alignment.
Only proposals that align to NSW curriculum will be eligible.
The project must ensure all grant monies are used on activities undertaken to deliver the program in NSW schools.
What can’t you apply for
- costs that are not directly associated with the implementation or delivery of the project
- purchase of land or property
- costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation, and the covering of retrospective costs
- overseas travel
- wage costs incurred prior to the activity period of the project or outside of approved project activities
- projects requiring ongoing funding from the NSW Government
- projects that are ongoing or constitute the normal course of business
- activities that have commenced or been completed prior to an offer of funding made to successful applicants.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
For more information on the program and the program guidelines, visit the Chief Scientist & Engineer's website.
To be eligible for the program applicants must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have an account with an Australian financial institution
- be headquartered in NSW
- demonstrate that all project activities will take place in NSW schools
- ensure all grant monies are used on activities undertaken to deliver the program in NSW schools
- demonstrate alignment to content descriptions and student learning outcomes in relevant fields in the NSW curriculum for students in K-12
- demonstrate any funding received from other NSW or other state or federal government grant programs do not duplicate activities requested under the program
- be one of the following:
- a company incorporated under the Corporations Act (including a company limited by guarantee)
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
- an incorporated association
- a partnership
- a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
- a NSW public research organisation
- public sector organisation or other organisation, such as not-for-profit organisations
- an individual who agrees to form such an entity so that DEIT can enter into a legally binding funding agreement.
Project impact (25%)
Describe how your project will:
- increase school student interest, participation, and understanding of STEM in relation to natural hazards response, and management. Include which school years(s) the project is targeting
- encourage student entrepreneurship and career opportunities in STEM
- build partnerships with local communities and organisations to increase knowledge on natural hazards preparedness and build resilience in communities to deliver broader benefits.
Understanding of best practice student learning outcomes (25%)
- How does the project align with best practice learning approaches in STEM and/or cross-curricular learning, including alignment with relevant curriculum and NSW Department of Education approved elective courses?
- How will the project support and align with the STEM education strategy and assist in sustainable improvements to teachers’ confidence and competence in STEM education for NSW?
- How does the project align with and incorporates the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience’s (AIDR) 7 principles of Disaster Resilience Education for young people? The principles are:
- places the learner at the centre
- reflects the local context
- be inclusive
- establish and strengthen partnerships
- engage and challenge learners
- focus on action
- build capability.
Experience (25%)
- Describe the track record of relevant delivery, experience, or expertise in delivering STEM programs in schools. Including, but not limited to key project personnel capabilities and experience in delivering STEM programs.
- Provide CVs, and/or LinkedIn profile links, expertise or knowledge that makes your organisation(s) uniquely qualified to deliver this STEM program.
- Outline your track record of current projects or similar work/collaborations, including with schools and other education providers, community organisations, and/or disaster agencies.
- Describe the appropriate trauma informed safeguards to address responses that may arise from the content.
Delivery (25%)
Outline your
- delivery plan and risk management to deliver inclusive and respectful training that meets all legislative requirements
- proposed project governance
- demonstrated approach to effectively partner with NSW primary and/or secondary schools to deliver the program.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: the Chief Scientist & Engineer.
Applications are assessed by an independent assessment panel. The assessment panel’s recommendations will be provided to the designated decision maker on the suitability of each proposal for funding.
The designated decision maker will approve the recommendations and funding amounts.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 9228 5765
Email: grants@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/funding/science-education/natural-hazards-stem-support-program
Program evaluation
The OCSE will evaluate the program to measure how well the outcomes and objectives have been achieved. We may use information from your application and reports for this purpose.
We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand how the program impacted you, and to evaluate how effective the program was in achieving its outcomes.
We may contact you up to 3 years after you receive your final grant payment associated with the program for more information to assist with this evaluation.