Recipients 2026

22 recipients will share in almost $500,000 worth of funding in 2026 to help increase public participation in Queensland scientific research and STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) engagement events and activities under the Engaging Science Grants program.

  • Dawson River science: Mapping, monitoring, and sharing discoveries

    Organisation: Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association Inc.

    Amount: $22,000

    This project engages students from the rural town of Theodore in hands-on STEM learning along the Dawson River. It connects students with scientists, introducing advances in technology for environmental monitoring. Students build skills in environmental science, critical thinking and data analysis, and develop science communication skills through flyers, posters and presentations. By sharing findings with tourists and the community, the project fosters public awareness of the Dawson River ecosystem and strengthens connections between science, the public and the natural environment.

  • Quoll Quest: Science in action at Girraween

    Organisation: Quoll Society of Australia Inc.

    Amount: $25,000

    Community members will be engaged in Quoll Quest, a rare conservation eco-tourism experience to encounter the endangered spotted-tailed quoll. Across four two-week trapping sessions, participants work alongside scientists to capture, GPS-collar, release and radio-track quolls—contributing to research on sarcoptic mange and collecting spatial data for habitat restoration. The project culminates in a vibrant BioBlitz at Girraween National Park, celebrating biodiversity and helping people understand science, care about conservation and feel more connected to nature.

  • Isoscapes & megafauna: Mapping ancient lives

    Organisation: Outback Gondwana Foundation Ltd.

    Amount: $24,800

    Through hands-on citizen science activities, including fossil, soil and vegetation sampling, the project will help reconstruct the movements and diets of extinct megafauna and dinosaurs. By involving students, landholders and volunteers in palaeontological research, the project promotes science literacy and critical thinking. Findings will support nature-based tourism through new interpretive experiences at the Eromanga Natural History Museum and foster collaboration between scientists, educators and the public.

  • Tiny heroes: Educating the community about Wet Tropics invertebrate biodiversity and conservation

    Organisation: Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery Inc.

    Amount: $15,141

    This project aims to engage the Wet Tropics community—school children (especially girls) and regional families—with educational lessons about Wet Tropics invertebrates and biodiversity. It seeks to develop a more scientific-literate community, inspire girls and women to study natural sciences, and raise awareness of invertebrates' critical role in ecosystem health. The project also boosts understanding of science in conservation and encourages community action to protect the Wet Tropics.

  • Echidna detectives: Engaging citizens in science, conservation and discovery

    Organisation: The University of Queensland

    Amount: $24,978

    The community will be invited to participate in hands-on citizen science to generate critical baseline data and build community capacity for long-term echidna conservation. The project involves training people to identify echidna diggings and collect scat for genetic analysis through in-person and online workshops across South-East Queensland. Real-world science will be demonstrated through detection dog demonstrations, while promoting STEM learning and showcasing career pathways in ecology, genetics and conservation. The project fosters awareness of echidnas and the role of science in protecting native wildlife.

  • Wild science: Connecting regional students to STEM and nature in the Daintree Rainforest

    Organisation: Nic & Nat Pty Ltd.

    Amount: $20,000

    This project will pilot a multi-night nature-based tourism STEM experience in the Daintree Rainforest for school-aged children, in partnership with local remote and regional schools. Students will engage with scientists applying skills across diverse roles and use hands-on tools like iNaturalist, FrogID and BirdLife to contribute citizen science data. Indigenous knowledge is also explored.

  • Queensland students help fig-ure out wasp relationships

    Organisation: The University of Queensland

    Amount: $22,691

    Students across Queensland will participate in a citizen science initiative by collecting native figs and the wasps that emerge from them to examine genetic identities and relationships of fig-associated wasps. As part of the project, South-East Queensland students will engage in lab-based activities at The University of Queensland, documenting specimens and extracting DNA. Sequences are compared to databases of known fig-associated wasp species, introducing ecological and genetic concepts to students.

  • Unlimited geonature: Virtual caves, palaeontology and nature at Capricorn Caves

    Organisation: CQUniversity

    Amount: $24,922

    This project engages students, teachers and community groups in creating a digital twin of Capricorn Caves using 3D scanning and imaging to collect ecological, geological, palaeontological and cultural data. By integrating sci-art it enhances the virtual environment's appeal and develops interactive 3D models for exploration. It removes access barriers to caves, fossils and geonatural heritage, inspires STEM careers, and delivers a globally accessible, educational experience showcasing Queensland’s deep-time heritage.

  • The TMC Powerful Owl showcase: Engaging science and eco-tourism in our community

    Organisation: Tamborine Mountain College Ltd.

    Amount: $19,500

    Students will monitor the threatened Powerful Owl and build STEM skills through citizen science including acoustic monitoring, camera trap analysis, mapping and nest box construction. This project connects the Scenic Rim community and visitors with real-time wildlife data via QR-coded signage, and partners with BirdLife Australia, Indigenous Elders, council and tourism operators to deliver experiential science activities that inspire conservation.

  • Future reef protectors – Eco HQ schools experience program

    Organisation: Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.

    Amount: $25,000

    Students engage in hands-on science through mock turtle rescues with data logging, marine-debris sample analysis, recycling demonstrations, and mangrove/riparian health observations on nearby non-protected beaches. The program integrates First Nations cultural knowledge with science, highlights local STEM careers (marine science, veterinary care, eco-tourism, engineering), and provides parents and teachers with resources to extend learning at home and school, increasing awareness and participation in reef protection.

  • Community koala monitoring initiative

    Organisation: Watergum Community Inc.

    Amount: $18,120

    Through education, training and resources, this project teaches people to responsibly find, observe and record koalas, recognise signs of disease, and contribute reliable data for conservation planning. By building a network of citizen scientists and raising awareness, the nature-based tourism project connects communities with local reserves and supports sustainable wildlife protection while showcasing the Gold Coast’s unique tourism identity.

  • Junior ranger drones on land and sea country

    Organisation: Yuku-Baja-Muliku (YBM) Landowner and Reserves Ltd.

    Amount: $25,000

    This project will engage YBM Junior Rangers in hands-on drone technology for land and sea management. Participants gain introductory skills in drone operation, flight safety and data capture, while learning how this technology supports erosion assessment, fire management, turtle nesting monitoring and seagrass mapping. By linking STEM learning with Country-based activities, the program builds science literacy, critical thinking and future STEM career pathways for young people in Cooktown.

  • Capricorn Coast turtle science and community engagement project

    Organisation: Capricorn Coast Marine Community Inc.

    Amount: $25,000

    This marine turtle science project seeks to address local conversation challenges such as marine debris and boat strikes. Through hands-on workshops, citizen science activities and Traditional Owner knowledge sharing, it increases science literacy, promotes stewardship of Sea Country, and strengthens engagement with Queensland’s science ecosystem. Through collaboration with an eco-tourism operator, the project demonstrates the synergy between conservation and tourism. A dedicated website and digital resources will enhance learning opportunities and ensure a lasting impact.

  • STEM sprouts – Withcott & District STEM and robotics initiative

    Organisation: Withcott & District Progress Association Inc.

    Amount: $17,842

    Rural and regional children will enjoy hands-on STEM experiences through the first LEGO League Explore challenge. It builds collaboration and problem-solving skills in young learners, supports teachers with professional learning in STEM and establishes a shared robotics resource bank for small schools and homeschooling families in the Lockyer Valley. The project connects families, schools and the wider community through a showcase event celebrating student learning and highlighting local STEM career opportunities.

  • Reef futures: Engaging students and tourists in science stewardship

    Organisation: Geonadir Pty Ltd.

    Amount: $25,000

    This project enhances Wavelength Cruises' drone mapping capabilities to improve coral reef monitoring, enabling fieldwork surveys to generate new research on coral reef health and the role of drones in environmental monitoring. Additionally, the project delivers She Maps’ drone education programs to Mossman State High School students, offers hands-on STEM experiences for Indigenous and remote students through classroom activities and reef excursions, and improves science communication for approximately 20,000 tourists annually by highlighting collaborative science-tourism efforts in reef conservation.

  • Between Worlds - A cultural, creative and digital ecologies app

    Organisation: We Are Malo Pty Ltd.

    Amount: $24,800

    A co-designed educational mobile app will be developed, engaging young people in mangrove ecosystem science and natural environments. Featuring cultural artwork, storytelling and interactive GIS mapping, the app will demonstrate ecological processes and climate resilience. Co-developed with Yirrganydji artists, scientists, and educators, the project builds science literacy through inquiry-based learning and STEM pathways and creating self-guided scientific experiences across the Gimuy (Cairns) region.

  • Stories from the desert: Outback STEM eco-tourism

    Organisation: The Trustee for the Huglin Family Trust

    Amount: $25,000

    Young people in remote Queensland will be engaged in STEM video-journalism workshops, using prop-based prompts to explore eco-tourism themes such as fossils, artesian water, stars, opals and birds. It builds science literacy, critical thinking and digital skills through hands-on learning, and promotes intergenerational participation via red-carpet screening events connecting students and community audiences. The project creates awareness of STEM career pathways linked to eco-tourism and science communication, supports local priorities such as showcasing new artesian baths and river walkway eco-trails and leaves a lasting digital legacy through locally produced science advertorial films.

  • Queensland Dinosaur Week: Unearth the adventure

    Organisation: Dinosaur Tourism Collective Ltd.

    Amount: $20,000

    This project aims to spark public interest in palaeontology, natural history and science through Queensland Dinosaur Week events. By integrating STEM education into nature-based tourism, it activates fossil sites, museums, and landscapes as immersive learning environments, fostering lifelong learning while inspiring young minds. This project builds a lasting legacy of discovery, positioning Queensland as Australia’s premier destination for dinosaur and megafauna exploration.

  • Soil stories: Connecting science, culture and community

    Organisation: The Trustee for the O'Reilly Property Trust

    Amount: $25,000

    Immersive STEM experiences at a working permaculture farm in Lammermoor on the Capricorn Coast, will offer schools, families and visitors the opportunity to learn about soil biology, agriculture and ecology. The project combines soil biology education, interpretive signage, interactive storytelling, a Living Science Playground, and Indigenous knowledge sharing, helping to build science literacy, inspire curiosity, as well as fostering respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.

  • Outback to ocean: Exploring coral reefs through time and change

    Organisation: The University of Queensland

    Amount: $25,000

    This project boosts community science engagement by connecting Queenslanders to the history and future of coral reefs. Hands-on workshops in regional areas link ancient fossil reefs to living ecosystems, offering opportunities to collaborate with scientists, participate in citizen science, and learn reef protection strategies. On-Country experiences and digital resources enhance science literacy, inspire stewardship and empower action on climate challenges affecting Queensland’s reefs.

  • Bush tucker ecoscience: Learn, explore, taste

    Organisation: National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Ltd.

    Amount: $21,000

    Students, visitors and the local community can explore the science of bush foods and medicines—including their chemistry, nutritional value, ecological roles and First Nations' cultural uses. Harvested ingredients are also showcased in The Homestead Cafe at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The project integrates STEM learning with conservation, sustainability and culinary innovation.

  • Co-Exist: Next Gen Nature Science Retreats

    Organisation: Co-Exist Australia Ltd.

    Amount: $23,930

    Around 160 young Queenslanders, aged 18–30, will participate in eight science retreats at Myall Park and Wild Mountains. Participants will join hands-on science activities such as biodiversity monitoring with drones and camera traps, koala habitat restoration, rare native plant propagation and eDNA waterway surveys. Each retreat combines youth leadership, scientific engagement and cultural learning to build STEM literacy and critical thinking and inspire future careers in conservation.