- The recipients of the 2026 STEM Engagement Sponsorship have been announced
- Nine recipients will share $168,000 of funds to deliver STEM initiatives across WA
- Funded projects cover a wide range of topics and support the Cook Labor Government's STEM skills strategy mission update
- Cook Labor Government committed to growing a future ready workforce
The Cook Labor Government has announced the recipients of the 2026 STEM Engagement Sponsorship, with nine projects sharing in $168,000 of funding.
The sponsorship program aims to promote STEM as a fulfilling career pathway as well as continuing to build STEM skills and culture across the State.
The nine recipients will be delivering initiatives throughout the metro area and regional Western Australia. These initiatives include opportunities for students to engage with industry role models, cutting edge technology, and real-world problem-solving projects, for teachers to upskill in STEM, and engagement opportunities for the community and disadvantaged groups.
The 2026 STEM Engagement Sponsorship program supports the Cook Labor Government's STEM skills strategy mission update Future state, future skills: Accelerating STEM skills for Western Australia.
This mission update is focused on strengthening connections between industry and education providers and increasing the participation rates of currently under-represented groups in STEM.
For more information see: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/stem-engagement-sponsorship-2026-recipients .
As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Congratulations to our nine recipients of the 2026 STEM Engagement Sponsorship program, each project will be able to deliver fantastic promotion of the opportunities right here in WA.
"The Cook Labor Government knows how crucial STEM skills are to diversifying the economy, our decarbonisation agenda and growing new industries.
"It is through programs such as this that we are able to continue increasing the participation rate and inspiring young minds to take up the challenges involved with a rewarding career in STEM."
2026 STEM Engagement Sponsorship recipient list:
Organisation |
Sponsorship |
Project |
Australian Computer Society Foundation Limited |
$5,000 |
The BiG Day In Kwinana brings together high school students with the ICT industry through an engaging, STEM careers event, held in Kwinana. |
Curtin University |
$30,000 |
Regional students from years 3 to 12 in the north of Western Australia will gain hands-on access to microscopy as Curtin University's Inspire STEM Education WA Remote Outreach Project tours a portable Scanning Electron Microscope providing access to cutting-edge scientific instrumentation and linkages to STEM careers. |
Curtin University |
$30,000 |
Science Meets Fashion: Pigments, Patterns and Prints is an outreach program at the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, for its women to build STEM skills through scientific and sustainable textile design. |
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation |
$13,000 |
Kids in Space empowers students and teachers through real-world STEM problem-solving, combining professional learning, 3D technology, and a space-themed design challenge to build curiosity, skills, and career awareness. |
The Innovators' Tea Party Inc. |
$20,000 |
The Innovators' Tea Party connects high-school girls with women leaders in Western Australia's STEM industries, using mentoring and hands-on experiences to build confidence and inspire future career pathways. |
The Kids Research Institute Australia |
$10,000 |
The Girls STEM Festival is a two-day event aligned with International Women's Day 2027. It delivers immersive, hands-on STEM experiences, connecting girls with industry leaders, and inspiring pathways in STEM. |
The University of Western Australia |
$30,000 |
Einstein-First will deliver micro-credential courses for Western Australian primary and secondary school teachers, building confidence and enabling delivery of exciting modern science in the classroom. |
Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia |
$15,000 |
STAWA Science Talent Search 2026 is a statewide K-12 competition, with a focus on climate science, engaging students in real-world challenges through science, engineering and innovation. |
Western Australian Innovation Technology and Talent Alliance Incorporated |
$15,000 |
The Game Changer Awards is a statewide STEM competition that recognises students for developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges and providing a platform to showcase ideas and engage with industry. |
