About
The Western Australian (WA) Government is investing in the State's future STEM workforce through the STEM Engagement Sponsorship program.
The program supports the State’s mission update, Future state, future skills: Accelerating STEM skills for Western Australia, by providing funding to organisations that deliver initiatives aligned to its priority areas:
- Career pathways and industry links – showcasing opportunities and fostering industry engagement to support education and training.
- Diversity and inclusion – attracting and retaining under-represented groups in STEM.
- STEM culture and literacy – building awareness, positive attitudes and foundational STEM literacy skills.
In 2026, a maximum of up to $30,000 per application could be sought.
Meet the 2026 recipients
The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) is proud to announce the recipients of our STEM Engagement Sponsorship program.
Nine projects will share in $168,000 in funding to promote STEM as a fulfilling career pathway as well as build STEM skills and culture in Western Australia (WA).
The recipients come from a wide range of not-for-profits, membership organisations and universities that will deliver initiatives across the State including throughout the Pilbara, Kimberly, Kalgoorlie and Perth.
Congratulations to the 2026 recipients:
| Organisation | Sponsorship | Project Name | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Computer Society Foundation Limited | $5,000 | Big Day In Kwinana | The BiG Day In Kwinana brings together high school students with the ICT industry through an engaging, STEM careers event, held in the city of Kwinana. |
| The Kids Research Institute Australia | $10,000 | Girls STEM Festival | The Girls STEM Festival is a two-day event aligned with International Women’s Day 2027. It delivers immersive, hands-on STEM experiences, connecting girls with industry leaders, and inspiring pathways in STEM. |
| The Andy Thomas Space Foundation | $13,000 | Kids in Space WA | Kids in Space empowers students and teachers through real-world STEM problem-solving, combining professional learning, 3D technology, and a space-themed design challenge to build curiosity, skills, and career awareness. |
| Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) | $15,000 | STAWA Science Talent Search 2026 | STAWA Science Talent Search 2026 is a statewide K-12 competition, with a focus on climate science, engaging students in real-world challenges through science, engineering and innovation. |
| Western Australian Innovation Technology and Talent Alliance Incorporated | $15,000 | The Game Changer Awards | The Game Changer Awards is a statewide STEM competition that recognises students for developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges and providing a platform to showcase ideas and engage with industry. |
| The Innovators' Tea Party Inc. | $20,000 | Girls in STEM Engagement Program | The Innovators’ Tea Party connects high-school girls with women leaders in Western Australia’s STEM industries, using mentoring and hands-on experiences to build confidence and inspire future career pathways. |
| Curtin University | $30,000 | Remote Outreach with Inspire STEM Education Australia's Scanning Electron Microscope | Regional students from years 3 to 12 in the north of Western Australia will gain hands-on access to microscopy as Curtin University’s Inspire STEM Education WA Remote Outreach Project tours a portable Scanning Electron Microscope providing access to cutting-edge scientific instrumentation and linkages to STEM careers. |
| Einstein-First Project (The University of Western Australia) | $30,000 | Einsteinian Science Professional Development for School Teachers Across WA | Einstein-First will deliver micro-credential courses for Western Australian primary and secondary school teachers, building confidence and enabling delivery of exciting modern science in the classroom. |
| Curtin University | $30,000 | Science Meets Fashion: Pigments, Patters and Prints | Science Meets Fashion: Pigments, Patters and Prints is an outreach program at the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, for it’s women to build STEM skills through scientific and sustainable textile design. |
Announcements
STEM Engagement Sponsorship awarded to nine initiatives building STEM skills and culture across WA
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