These grants are offered through a competitive assessment process to teams of university students attending science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research competitions.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000
- Application opened: 23 October 2023
- Application closed: 16 February 2024, 10:00 am
Program objective
The objectives of the STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program are to:
- support university students who are participating in STEM research competitions.
- provide opportunities for STEM student researchers to:
- increase their skills in real-world applications
- improve collaboration with international colleagues o consider graduate studies in STEM
- profile STEM competition participation to create interest and excitement about STEM research fields with the community, industry partners and fellow students.
This program is funded and administered by Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Eligibility
Who can apply
The applicants must be enrolled or employed at:
- a NSW university
- public sector research institution
- from the NSW communities sector.
The competition research area must fall into at least one of these categories:
- mathematical, information and computing sciences
- physical, chemical and earth sciences
- engineering, environmental sciences and energy innovation
- biological and biotechnological sciences.
Who can’t apply
Applicants are not eligible if they receive more than 50% of estimated funding for the competition from NSW Government agencies other than the Department. Expenses from additional sources must be acknowledged in the Application Form.
You are not eligible to apply for the program if you are:
- insolvent
- an individual
- a partnership
- an unincorporated association
- a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body excluding government corporate entities.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The grant funds must be spent on the research component of the competition, such as lab consumables, research materials, outreach and any other research expenditure.
What can’t you apply for
The grant funds must not be used on competition registration, travel, accommodation, visas, insurance or any other non-research related expenses.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
For more information, download the complete program guidelines (PDF 419.39KB).
Address the eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Program applicants must be enrolled or employed at a NSW university or public sector research institution.
The applicant’s organisation must have an Australian Business Number (ABN). While university clubs are welcome to apply, the funding agreement must be between the applicant’s organisation and the Department.
The competition research area must fall under at least one of the following categories:
- Mathematical, information and computing sciences
- Physical, chemical and earth sciences
- Engineering, environmental sciences and energy innovation
- Biological and biotechnological sciences.
Sponsorship grants will be available for student competition research projects from January 2024 to December 2024.
Applicants must have confirmation of competition registration or seek written permission from the OCSE to apply for the Program.
Applicants can only apply once per funding round.
Address the assessment criteria
An assessment panel will consider all eligible applications against the selection criteria:
- Demonstrate value of competition to the participants, institution and the community.
- Demonstrate support from the applicant’s institution, philanthropists, industry partners and/or the Commonwealth Government.
- Demonstrate alignment with the OCSE’s core function of science outreach and education.
- Demonstrate how diversity, equity and inclusion will be considered and implemented in the preparation and participation of the competition.
- Demonstrate need for funding through a budget breakdown, including matched or co-funding contributions.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: the Director, Policy - Science and Research, Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, with consideration of recommendations by the assessment panel and the availability of funds for the program.
Support and contact
If you have any questions during the application period, contact us at raap.grants@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.aulaunch