Young Australians passionate about science and maths now have more opportunities to learn from and compete with the best through new government funding for a range of science, technology, engineering and maths activities.
The nation’s best and brightest will have more options to travel to national and international competitions, more opportunities to participate in the National Youth Science Forum and a chance to meet and compete against their peers as Australia hosts the Asian Physics Olympiad in 2019.
The grants will enable some of Australia’s best students to test themselves against their counterparts from across the country and around the world, enabling them to build their knowledge, skills and networks.
Skills in science, technology, engineering and maths are essential to the economic future of our country, with 75 percent of future jobs expected to require these skills.
The new Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions includes funding of $6.4 million over four years for students under 18 to participate in science events, activities and competitions in Australia and overseas.
Grants of up to $5000 per student and $20,000 per application are available, with matching contributions required for grants of over $10,000.
These grants open today and are available until the annual allocation is used up.
Australian students will also have more opportunities to be involved in the Olympiads, international science, mathematics and informatics competitions of the highest calibre.
Funding of $2,992,000 over four years will enable Australian Science Innovations to deliver the Australian Science Olympiads and support some of our most talented science students participating in the International Science Olympiads.
A grant of $1,760,000 will support Australia’s hosting of the 2019 Asian Physics Olympiad, the first time this event has been held in this country.
Funding of $1,496,000 over four years to the Australian Mathematics Trust to support participation of our most talented Australian students in the International Mathematics and Informatics Olympiads.
The National Youth Science Forum will use funding of $660,000 over four years to expand their National Science Teachers Summer School and start an additional January residential forum, hosting 200 students. They will also establish a fund to assist students from lower socio-economic and disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in their activities.
For more information on the Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions go to www.business.gov.au/sgseic
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