STEM Aspirations Fund
A collaboration between the Fogarty Foundation & Schools Plus Australia
The current funding round is OPEN and will close 17 December 2026
Annie Fogarty AM
What is the STEM Aspirations Fund?
The STEM Aspirations Fund is a partnership between the Fogarty Foundation and Australian Schools Plus that provides direct, flexible funding to schools in WA for STEM opportunities they themselves have identified as valuable for their primary or secondary students. Sitting within the Foundation's Future Ready Students pillar, it supports exceptional, aspirational STEM experiences; specifically, opportunities where a student has qualified for, been selected to participate in, or is competing in a competitive STEM program or competition, which may require travel or other financial costs to access.
Learn more about Schools Plus Australia
Who should apply?
Apply for this if you are a teacher, or represent a school, with an aspirational STEM opportunity or idea that will impact students' engagement, aspiration and achievement in STEM. This is for schools with an ICSEA score below 1000 whose students have earned a place in, or been invited to, an exceptional opportunity such as a national or international STEM competition, program or showcase, but need funding to make it happen. This opportunity should be applied for on behalf of the student or group of students who will undertake the activity.
Timeline
The STEM Aspirations Fund is now open, giving schools a straightforward way to secure funding for exceptional STEM opportunities for their students; the current round closes on 17 December 2026, which means applications needs to be lodged by the end of Term 4. Funds will then be transferred to successful schools and available for activities in Term 1 2027. We recommend getting in early so that your funding is in place well before travel, registration or other costs are due for payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools with an ICSEA score below 1000. This is based on the eligibility criteria used by Schools Plus Australia.
Projects must be STEM-related, particularly exceptional or aspirational opportunities for students to engage with STEM. These are opportunities involving national or international travel to attend or compete in STEM-related competitions or programs.
Between a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $5,000 per eligible project.
Schools can nominate themselves, submit a request directly to the Foundation via the link on this webpage. All proposals must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered.
Only projects meeting both the ICSEA threshold and STEM focus will be considered for funding under this Fund.