Guidelines

About the program

Science is critical to Queensland’s economy, driving innovation in key industries and improving our lifestyle. We want all Queenslanders to value science, critical thinking and evidence-based decision making as part of everyday life.

Embracing scientific thinking, participating in scientific activities, and engaging with the scientific community will foster a more knowledgeable and innovative Queensland. Equally, students need to be equipped with the latest skills so they can follow satisfying career paths and quickly adapt to a rapidly changing work landscape.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (the department) is offering competitive Engaging Science Grants designed to support teachers, scientists, organisations, citizen science groups and community groups to deliver STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) events or educational and engagement activities or projects. STEM is inclusive of the social sciences.

The Engaging Science Grants are offered to increase participation in science-based activities and engagement between scientists and the whole community. Projects that aim to inspire students in STEM, promote STEM career pathways, increase public awareness of Queensland's science ecosystem, and cultivate critical thinking and science literacy are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program objectives

Projects must align with the following program objectives, as detailed below:

1. increase public awareness and engagement with science and innovation, and First Nations cultural knowledge and science
2. build science literacy and critical thinking skills through inquiry-based and active experiential learning
3. grow opportunities for scientists to engage directly with communities
4. promote diversity of, and opportunities provided by, STEM careers to increase the pipeline for the jobs of the future.

Targeted theme - Nature-based tourism

This round will prioritise projects that integrate science participation or STEM education into nature-based tourism, supporting Queensland's goal to be Australia's leading ecotourism and nature-based tourism destination as outlined in the Destination 2045 – delivering Queensland’s tourism future.

Projects should seek to provide meaningful scientific interactions with nature, preserve biodiversity, understand visitor behaviour, or explore cultural ecological knowledge through engagement with First Nations peoples.

Grants of up to $25,000 each (excluding GST) are available to support applicants deliver events, activities or projects for up to 12-months.

Applications closed at 4pm on 22 September 2025.

Project eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant’s project must engage Queenslanders in science. This can include events, activities, educational workshops, behind-the-scenes tours or other science engagement projects.

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

• delivering student (primary, secondary and tertiary) events, activities or citizen science projects involving students, teachers and others
• organising behind-the-scenes tours, e.g. invite the local community to visit your scientific premises
• providing events, seminars or workshops that connect scientists with community groups to promote Queensland scientists and science programs
• enhancing existing technology or use of new technology by participants as part of the engagement activities
• creating training resources and then using these in engagement activities.

Additional project conditions:

• all events and projects must be delivered within a 12-month timeframe
• projects must be conducted entirely within Queensland, and all funds must be spent in Queensland
• projects must not impose excessive financial costs on participants or include activities intended to generate profit
• each applicant may submit only one (1) grant application per project; however, multiple applications are allowed if they relate to different projects
• for projects aligned with the target theme and located in or near public protected areas (e.g. national parks), a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service permit may be required. Contact ecotourism@detsi.qld.gov.au prior to submitting your application for a preliminary assessment. The preliminary assessment must be submitted with your application form.

Applicant eligibility

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

• have a Queensland-based address, such as an office, chapter or campus
• possess an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• maintain public liability insurance of at least $20 million (in total and per event)
• disclose any other grant funding received for the project in the application’s budget section
• if working with children or people with a disability, applicants must maintain all relevant industry requirements throughout the project’s duration
• Note: Queensland Government departments are ineligible to apply. However, Queensland Government employees may apply in a personal capacity if they are volunteering for community groups or are teachers.

Where relevant, an applicant’s past performance under the Engaging Science Grants Program or any other grant program managed by the department, including if there are any outstanding reports, will be taken into consideration.

If you need assistance finding scientific advisors or partners, please visit the Queensland science capability directory.

Using the Engaging Science Grants funds

The proposed project must be delivered within a 12-month period with activities occurring from the date the Funding Agreement is fully executed (the project start date).

It is expected that successful applicants will be notified by early 2026. Only costs incurred after the Funding Agreement has been signed by all parties can be claimed as part of the project expenditure, regardless of whether the project is new or already exists.

The grant funds may be used for the following activities:

• staff costs – direct salary costs for employees delivering the engagement activity
• specialist skills – fees for external guest speakers and specialist contractors engaged to deliver all or part of the activity
• production – materials, consumables, hire fees, venue catering, permit fees
• project planning (maximum 20% of requested funds)
• purchase of equipment (e.g. iPads or drones) or development of software/technology solutions e.g. teaching software (maximum of 50% of requested funds)
• marketing, media and promotions – printing of marketing materials, website development and advertisement or social media campaigns
• travel directly relating to the project
• sample and data collection.

The following items are ineligible for funding under this program:

• organisational overheads of the applicant organisation including insurance
• activities that generate a profit
• purchase of alcohol
• gift vouchers other than for books.

Funding for projects will be paid following the approval of successful applications on the following basis:

• 70% at funding agreement execution
• 30% on project completion.

To claim the 70%, the Funding Agreement must have been executed by the department and all supporting documentation submitted.

To claim the final 30%, you will be required to submit:

• a short report that includes project evaluation outcomes
• evidence of expenditure. This must be receipts or paid invoices. Bank statements or invoices with an outstanding balance will not be accepted.

Best practices for community science engagement

This recently released report provides evidence-based guidance for the design, delivery, and evaluation of community science engagement programs. You can read information about the Best Practice Principles for Community Science Engagement in the summary fact sheet (PDF, 348.9KB) .

Aligning your project to the best practice principles will ensure your project reflects evidence-based guidance to achieve successful outcomes and greater impact. While not all principles will be relevant for every project, careful consideration of their applicability and use will enhance your project and its potential outcomes and impact.

While it is not a requirement for this funding round to apply the best practice principles to your project design and delivery, demonstrated alignment to the principles would strengthen your project and application.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to utilise the best practice principles to guide and underpin their project, and to reflect this in their application.

You can also read the full report including appendices on the Queensland Chief Scientist website.

Assessment criteria

Well-planned project with appropriate levels of engagement, collaboration and target audience reach

(Weight: 40%)

Summary: Explain your project aims, how you will carry out the project, and how you will involve the community

Applicants must outline:

• project approach, and communication/promotion and evaluation plans (please attach a copy of your communication plan to your application)
• target audiences and the expected number of individuals who will attend the event, participate in the activity or take part in the project
• extent of collaboration with other organisations, educators, STEM professionals, community, or cultural groups who will provide expertise, skills or stakeholder knowledge in delivering student (primary, secondary and tertiary) events, activities or citizen science projects involving students, teachers and others
• integration of inclusivity and accessibility across all project activities
• the importance of the project to regional, remote or under-represented groups (including First Nations peoples, girls and women, and disadvantaged communities, where applicable.

Clear alignment with the program objectives

(Weight: 30%)

Summary for all applications: Explain how your project aligns with at least one of the objectives mentioned below:

• Increase public awareness and engagement with science and innovation, and First Nations cultural knowledge and science
• Build science literacy and critical thinking skills through inquiry-based and active experiential learning
• Grow opportunities for scientists to engage directly with communities
• Promote diversity of, and opportunities provided by, STEM careers to increase the pipeline for the jobs of the future.

Summary: Explain how your project aligns to the targeted theme (Nature-based tourism):

• Projects should seek to provide meaningful scientific interactions with nature, preserve biodiversity, understand visitor behaviour, or explore cultural ecological knowledge through engagement with First Nations peoples
• If the project is within a public protected area (such as a national park or marine park) provide preliminary assessment observations.

Your capacity, capability and resources to carry out the project

(Weight: 30%)

Summary: Demonstrate how you will ensure the success of your project.

Applicants must outline:

• the skills and experience of the applicant’s project leader and any partner organisations assisting or involved, including any track record with similar projects, events or activities as well as their past experience with or connections to the target audiences e.g. school children, groups under-represented in STEM
• the project budget including key expenditure items
• why the project would not go ahead without the grant funding, or how the grant will impact the project in terms of its scope and outcomes
• any financial or in-kind support from sponsors or partners
• letters of support should be attached where possible confirming any commitment.

Application assessment

Applications will be assessed:

• through a competitive, merit-based process against the program’s eligibility and assessment criteria
• by a panel of assessors with relevant scientific, education and/or communication backgrounds.

Applicants and/or project leaders may be contacted during the assessment process to clarify information provided and/or to request additional information to enable the appropriate consideration of the application.

The number of grants awarded will depend on the number and quality of applications received.

Applications and GST

Applicants registered for GST will not be provided with funding to account for costs directly associated with GST and are required to provide the GST exclusive amount in their budget. Recipients registered for GST can claim the GST component for any expenditure that they incur back from the ATO.

Where an applicant is not registered for GST, the budget may include the GST as a cost component of the grant.

For advice on GST, please seek assistance from the Australian Tax Office.

Application outcome

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their submission in writing. Details including the name of successful applicants, funding allocated, location of the project and a description of the project will be published on the Queensland Government website and may be announced through media including social media.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the Grants Coordinator regarding funding arrangements, grant agreements and other documentation/approvals that may be required.

Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback on their application by emailing grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au. Applicants may lodge an appeal with the department for any decisions made relating to their grant application by emailing grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au within two months of advice being received.

Funding availability

Funding is expected to be available from early 2026. Funding can only be provided to successful applicants once both parties have signed the grant agreement, and all required documentation has been received by the department.

Funding terms and conditions

Applicants must read, understand and accept the terms and conditions (PDF, 220.5KB) before applying for funding as they will not be negotiable at the time a funding offer is made.

Privacy

The Queensland Government collects and collates information from the application form to evaluate applications for the program. Only authorised Queensland Government officers and approved grant assessors have access to this information under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 for the purpose of assessing the application for funding.

Applicants should note that broad details of successful proposals, agreed outcomes, progress and the level of funding awarded may be published by the Queensland Government.

Some of this information may be used and published to promote funded projects.

Your personal information will not be disclosed to any other third party without your consent, unless required or authorised by law or by the Information Privacy Act 2009.

For audit and record-keeping purposes, the Queensland Government is required to retain the applications and other supplied support material.

The provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009 apply to documents in the possession of the Queensland Government.

Further information

If you have any questions relating to your application, please contact the Grants Coordinator by telephone on (07) 3330 6360 or by email at grantsadministration@detsi.qld.gov.au.