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 was approved
Approved for University of New South Wales
Robocup is an international competition that fosters research and education in robotics and artificial intelligence. RoboCup has 20 leagues that focus on different robot platforms and application areas. These include robot soccer (with legged and wheeled robots), robots for urban search and rescue, industrial robots for factory automation and assistive robots to help disabled and elderly people in their homes.
$1,000 was approved by
Director, Policy - Science and Research, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & EngineerDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
Out of NSWLocation of the recipient
RandwickAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
16
STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2024
Agency funding this grant
Office of the Chief Scientist and EngineerProgram term
Invoices must be submitted within 12 months of agreement executionWhat was approved
Approved for University of New South Wales
The Formula SAE-Australasia Competition is the student competition for the Formula Student class held by the Society of Automotive Engineers for the Australasia region. The competition hosts student teams from universities across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, and India. Student teams are able to design, build, and race a car/s in the Internal Combustion, Electric, or Autonomous Classes. The competition is made up various events including static events evaluating design, cost, and business potential, and dynamic events, ultimately testing the cars capabilities in various environments.
$2,000 was approved by
Director, Policy - Science and Research, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & EngineerDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
Out of NSWLocation of the recipient
RandwickAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
16
STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2024
Agency funding this grant
Office of the Chief Scientist and EngineerProgram term
Invoices must be submitted within 12 months of agreement executionWhat was approved
Approved for University of Sydney
BIOMOD is an annual biomolecular design competition for undergraduate students created by the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. The competition requires students to design and build innovative and functional nanostructures using the biological molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. Students undertake a project from April through October and travel to Tokyo at the beginning of November to present their work at the BIOMOD jamboree.
$8,000 was approved by
Director, Policy - Science and Research, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & EngineerDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
Out of NSWLocation of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
16
STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2024
Agency funding this grant
Office of the Chief Scientist and EngineerProgram term
Invoices must be submitted within 12 months of agreement executionWhat was approved
Approved for University of New South Wales
The Design/Build/Fly competition provides an opportunity for university students to apply real-world aircraft design experience by giving them the opportunity to validate their analytic studies. The goal is a balanced design possessing good demonstrated flight handling qualities and practical and affordable manufacturing requirements while providing a high vehicle performance.
$2,000 was approved by
Director, Policy - Science and Research, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & EngineerDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Out of NSWLocation of the recipient
RandwickAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
16
STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2024
Agency funding this grant
Office of the Chief Scientist and EngineerProgram term
Invoices must be submitted within 12 months of agreement executionWhat was approved
Approved for University of Newcastle
RoboCup is an education and research initiative that aims to inspire students towards a career in robotics in a friendly and collaborative environment. Through its annual research symposium, it pushes the boundaries on robotics research outside of the lab in a practical scenario.
$2,500 was approved by
Director, Policy - Science and Research, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & EngineerDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Out of NSWLocation of the recipient
NewcastleAbout the grant
Applications approved
13
Applications received
16
STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2024
Agency funding this grant
Office of the Chief Scientist and EngineerProgram term
Invoices must be submitted within 12 months of agreement executionWhat 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.
Start the application
All applications must be submitted through the SmartyGrants online grant application platform.
The online application form must be completed in its entirety to be eligible for consideration.
Applications for this grant have now closed.
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