Overview

Applications for the Engaging Science Grants are now closed.

Since 2016, the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist has offered competitive Engaging Science Grants to support increasing public participation in Queensland scientific research and STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engagement events and activities.

The grants are designed to assist teachers, scientists, organisations, citizen science groups and community groups deliver events and educational activities or conduct citizen science projects that tackle important issues in Queensland.

Grants of up to $20,000 each (excluding GST) are available to support recipients deliver events, activities or projects for up to 12-months.

For this round, projects that seek to increase STEM participation in under-represented sectors such as First Nations peoples, and girls and women or disadvantaged groups will be highly regarded.

Objective

The Engaging Science Grants (incorporating Queensland Citizen Science Grants) are offered to increase participation in science-based activities and engagement between scientists and the community.

Events and activities that inspire students to study STEM subjects, promote STEM careers, and engage the wider community to increase awareness of the amazing science happening in Queensland, as well as projects including citizen science that grow engagement with scientists may be submitted.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Queensland-based with an ABN and address one or more of the Engaging Queenslanders in science strategy 2021–2024 goals:

  1. increase student participation in STEM subjects and promote STEM careers
  2. increase community participation in citizen science to grow scientific literacy and contribute to scientific discovery
  3. increase awareness of Queensland’s great science and grow opportunities for engagement with scientists.

The types of activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • events, activities or projects for students that involve teachers, parents and others
  • open houses e.g. invite the local community to a conducted tour of your scientific premises
  • events, seminars or workshops that connect scientists with community groups to promote Queensland scientists and science programs
  • new citizen science projects or enhanced existing citizen science projects (refer eligibility criteria in the guidelines)
  • activities where participants use enhanced or new technology, or training resources that you have created.

Recipients

The Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist has allocated more than $2 million in Engaging Science Grants to 189 grant recipients since 2016 with more than half of these events and activities located in regional areas.

Across the state, hundreds of people are becoming citizen scientists to gather data for scientific projects with almost $1.2 million also allocated to 43 Queensland Citizen Science Grant recipients for longer-term projects since 2019.

The 2021-2022 and 2023 rounds combined both grant programs under the Engaging Science Grants banner.

Successful recipients:

More information

A recent survey, Queenslanders’ perceptions and attitudes to science 2021, commissioned by the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist shows:

  • 60% of Queenslanders are interested in science
  • 83% believe science is critical for the Queensland economy
  • 50% are interested in future Queensland science events
  • 72% of parents would encourage their child to be involved in science-based activities outside of school
  • 23% of Queenslanders have heard of citizen science, with 44% of those having participated in an activity (equating to 10% of Queenslanders).

While some of the survey results are encouraging, programs included in the Engaging Queenslanders in science strategy 2021–2024 such as these Engaging Science Grants will help achieve the goals set out in the strategy.

Useful links

Further information