ECEC professionals in QLD invited to apply for $20,000 STEM grants

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals in Queensland are being invited to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to fund projects that inspire more Queensland students to study STEM subjects, promote STEM career opportunities, and support vital citizen science projects.

The grants were announced yesterday by Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs The Hon. Leanne Linard.

The 2024 funding round will include targeted funding for projects that encourage visitors and tourists to Queensland’s protected areas to contribute to research projects that will protect the Sunshine State’s threatened species.

The grants program also provides funding for citizen science projects that encourage community members to volunteer their time to collect and analyse data that contributes to important Queensland research.

Projects may include engaging visitors to map or monitor flora and fauna species, testing water quality, modelling of erosion, soil sampling, observing changes to the environment, or undertaking behavioural research of visitors.

“Increasing student and community participation in STEM-based activities is vital to ensuring our younger generation is well equipped for the jobs of the future and improves scientific literacy and critical thinking on global issues,” Ms Linard said. 

Since 2016, the Engaging Science Grants program has provided more than $2.7 million in funding to 230 recipients.

Applications for the 2024 funding round will be open until 4pm Wednesday, 8 November. More information can be found here.