Grants and Fellowships
We support our members through a range of grants and fellowships to support innovative projects and collaboration between organisations, as well as connect to the broader STEM engagement network and attend conferences.
Fellowships will be assessed by the Executive Committee periodically. To be assessed in the current period, applications should be received by the following submission dates:
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30 April 2024, 12:00pm AEST
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06 August 2024 12:00pm AEST (ASTEN Conference Travel Fellowships)
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30 October 2024 12:00 AEDT
We aim to let applicants know the outcome of their submission within one month from the end of submission date.
Grants are available to staff or volunteers who are member of organisations who are currently members of ASTEN and who have paid their membership dues, or to associate members. If you wish to apply for a grant or find out more information, contact us through the form below.
Grant types:
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Collaborative Project Fellowship (up to $2000)
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Travel Grant (up to $2000)
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ASTEN Conference Fellowship (up to $2000)
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Ad-hoc Grant (up to $500)
Collaborative Project Fellowship
Up to $2000
Fellowships of up to (AUD) $2000 each are offered annually to support staff of ASTEN member institutions towards a project which involves travel to another science centre or museum and a minimum stay of five days. It is expected that the institutions involved will provide reciprocal support. This fellowship encourages cooperation among science and technology centres, museums and other organisations which use an interactive approach to further the public understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Example projects might include learning about accessibility or cultural safety strategies at another centre, working with a staff member at another centre to co-develop a new public program, or sharing exhibit ideas with designers and workshop staff.
Project proposals must have a clear focus and demonstrate how it will benefit not only the recipient but also ASTEN and its member organisations.
Before applying, you should discuss your project idea with the organisation/s who will be hosting you, and gain a letter of support for your project to be provided as part of the application.
Preference will be given to applicants who have limited opportunities to meet professional science centre staff from other organisations and applicants who identify as being from a group under-represented in STEM.
Travel Grant
Up to $2000
Two grants of up to (AUD) $2000 each are offered annually to support staff of ASTEN member institutions to attend conferences, programs, science centres, or similar, in Australasia or abroad.
This grant aims to support the professional development of people in Australia and New Zealand around informal STEM engagement and the display and communication of STEM exhibits, and help build an individual's professional network.
Successful applicants will be expected to share their experiences with ASTEN members, either through an online seminar, presenting at an annual ASTEN conference, and submitting a blog post to be hosted on the ASTEN website. Applicants should include how they intend to share their learnings as part of their application.
For domestic travel, 50% of the fellowship will be paid in advance, and the rest reimbursed on submission of receipts up to the amount spent. For international travel, 100% of the grant will be provided up-front.
ASTEN Conference Fellowship
Up to $2000
Up to five Conference Fellows will receive financial support to attend the ASTEN conference, including the expense of the conference registration, travel and accommodation costs. In return we ask for some assistance in helping our conference run smoothly.
Preference will be given to those applicants who:
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Have the furthest to travel;
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Are early career;
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Have limited opportunities to meet staff from other organisations.
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from an organisation in the early stages of their establishment;
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Applicants who identify as being from a group under-represented in STEM.
Note: preferences are not in priority order
A portion of fellowships will be reserved for international attendees (such as New Zealand members attending an Australian based conference).
For domestic applicants, 50% of the fellowship will be paid in advance, and the rest reimbursed on submission of receipts up to the amount spent. For international applicants 100% of the grant will be provided up-front. We can arrange a refund of your registration cost if you had already purchased a ticket before notice that your application was successful.
Please note in your application if you are intending to present a session at the conference.
Ad-hoc Grants
Up to $500
Small ad-hoc grants are available to support staff of member organisations to deliver contributions to ASTEN.
If you have an idea that you believe would be beneficial to the network or its members, please apply below.