Member for Kiama Gareth Ward is promoting the 2025 STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program, calling it an essential step toward nurturing the next generation of innovative minds. The program, funded under the Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP), offers grants of up to $10,000 per team, supporting NSW students to participate in domestic and international STEM competitions.

The sponsorship program focuses on funding research-related expenses, including lab consumables and research materials to allow students to fully engage in their projects.

“This is about investing in our future innovators—those who will drive innovation and strengthen our economy,” Mr Ward said.

“STEM education is critical, and programs like this provide students with the resources to compete on the world stage, showcasing the capability of students from NSW.”

“I strongly encourage eligible teams, whether from our schools or universities, to apply for this funding. This is a chance for our community’s talent to gain financial support and bring national and international recognition to our region,” Mr Ward said.

Applications close at 10:00am, on 31 January 2025 with successful applicants receiving the support needed to showcase their innovative ideas while gaining invaluable experience in high-tech, high-impact research environments.

“This program is an excellent example of how we can empower our students while advancing NSW as a global leader in STEM. Let’s seize this opportunity to put our region at the forefront of technological innovation,” Mr Ward added.