This grant round has now CLOSED.
The Western Australian Coordinating Committee for National Science Week (WACC) is offering small grants (up to $2,500) to fund free community science activities in Western Australia (WA).
Proposed activities are to be held in August 2021, preferably during National Science Week (14-22nd August 2021). Preference will be given to events held in rural or regional WA, although outstanding events held in metropolitan Perth will be considered.
Events must include a COVID contingency plan should WA’s laws require increased social distancing at the time. Suggestions include (but are not limited to) interactive online events, podcasts, digital storytelling, videos, virtual tours, citizen science activities and webinars.
Key dates
15 March 2021: Applications open
16 April 2021, 5pm AWST: Applications close
26 April 2021: All applicants notified
Before 31 May 2021: Send tax invoice
August 2021 (ideally between 14 to 22 August): Run event
Before 30 September 2021: Post-event evaluation & report
How to apply Please complete the online application form here.
Ensure you have described your activity/event and its intended outcomes fully. An offline application form is attached for your reference.
Applications must be submitted no later than Friday 16 April 2021, 5pm AWST. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted.
The following criteria should be reviewed before completing the application.
Essential Criteria
Your activity MUST include the following or it will be ineligible and removed from assessment.
Activities must:
engage the community or a set demographic within the community with a STEM-based activity or project.
include a COVID-19 contingency plan
not be a school-only event
be held during August 2021, ideally during National Science Week
be a free event for all attendees
adhere to the budget guidelines (which excludes event coordination and staff delivery costs)
*be evaluated by collecting feedback from participants during or after the activity.
*include a post event report.
*Both participant feedback survey and reporting templates will be provided by Scitech to successful grant applicants.
Desirable Criteria
Your activity will be scored preferentially if it includes any of the following:
It involves two or more organisations working in partnership
It partners with, or, aims to engage underrepresented or disadvantaged groups (e.g., minorities, multicultural, indigenous, low socio-economic, disability, regional or remote groups)
It involves novel and/or innovative programs that have not been part of National Science Week before
It creates an opportunity for attendees to explore further science activities in their local area after the activity/event
It uses National Science Week as a launching point for a broader program or event with lasting impacts or outcomes
You have considered the environmental impact of your activity, e.g., eliminate plastic waste, plastic freebies, plastic gifts in goodie bags, plastic catering or plastic packaging; consider waste recycling; reduce paper trail; consider options for public transport etc.
If you are successful, you will be required to submit a valid tax invoice to receive funds no later than Monday 31 May 2021.
To give your application the best chance of success, ensure your activity meets all essential criteria and as many desirable criteria as possible, and all questions are answered completely.