SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS GRANT
About the school grants
The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA), with funding assistance from the Australian Government, provides grants for school-initiated National Science Week activities.
These grants are available to all Australian schools (preschools to senior secondary) who complete a valid application. All applications and the amounts awarded are judged by their comparative merit.
The Science in Schools grants are designed to support teachers and schools deliver engaging STEM events and activities that align with the National Science Week vision.
They are intended to be a contribution to the running of a National Science Week activity or event in a school and not the sole means of support.
- Develop a great idea for a suitable program and work out your costs.
- Apply online for a small grant up to $500 towards your activity.
- Conduct a STEM-related activity or event during National Science Week.
- Focus on the impact STEM has on our lives, our economy, our society and our world.
- Involve your class to your whole school and even your neighbouring school/s and wider community.
For inspiration, find out what other schools have done in the past by reading about activity and event ideas.
To ensure that your application has the greatest chance of success, work out what to consider when applying for a school grant by reading about tips for ensuring the best application.
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on Saturday 26 April 2025.
Assessment Criteria
To be competitive you must score highly against the following four criteria. They are ranked in order of importance (1 most important, 4 least important).
- Likely impact of proposed activity on student learning outcomes in STEM.
- Contribution to the ongoing and increased student participation and engagement in school STEM programs.
- Practicality and scope of proposed activity.
- Potential for parent and/or community and/or neighbouring school/s involvement.
Each application will be assessed and ranked on its merits relative to other applications.
On the application form you will be asked to address Criteria 1 and 2 specifically, whilst the last two criteria will form part of other questions.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the limited availability of funding, the grant offered might not be the same as the amount requested, and the following will not be considered:
- costs of transport
- teacher replacement costs
- food and/or catering
- routine science incursions and excursions (such as to museums/science centres)
- activities planned outside of National Science Week 13–21 August.
Assessment process and notification
ASTA collects the online applications and will notify all applicants by email of the outcome of their applications before the end of May.
A list of successful applicants will be on the ASTA website and the Science Week website after this date.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Obligations of successful applicants
On the application form you will need to tick a box that then indicates that you agree to abide by the obligations of receiving and administering the grant. You MUST meet all of your obligations as a condition of accepting your grant.
Send an invoice
Upon notification of your successful application, send a school invoice to ASTA stating the grant amount you have been awarded plus GST component. Funding will be made as a single lump-sum advance payment on receipt of this invoice.
Register your activity/event on the National Science Week website
Register your grant-funded activity on the Science Week website by the due date advised.
Run your National Science Week activity
You must complete the science activity/event DURING National Science Week, and as stated in your application.
Fill in the online feedback form
Provide feedback on your funded activity/event by completing and submitting a brief online evaluation form (details of link will be provided after Science Week).
All feedback must be received by the due date, usually in September.
Send an image
Provide at least one digital image that shows your National Science Week event in action. It does not have to include students, but if it does, you will need to ensure you have permission to share.
For more information please contact us.