Up to $2 million to support projects that increase the participation, retention and leadership of women and girls in STEM education, STEM careers and entrepreneurship.
On this page you will find
What is the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE)?
The Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) Grant – Round 5 is a major Australian Government funding opportunity designed to deliver long-term systemic and cultural change by increasing the participation, retention and leadership of women and girls in STEM education, STEM careers and entrepreneurship.
Delivered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), this highly competitive national program provides large-scale funding for initiatives that remove structural and cultural barriers, support women at key career transition points, and strengthen pathways into leadership across STEM and the innovation ecosystem.
Projects funded under Round 5 are expected to demonstrate strong evidence, co-design with target audiences, and a clear pathway to sustained impact beyond the funding period.
Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship level of support
Funding amount:
- Total program funding available: $9.77 million
- Minimum grant amount: $1,000,000
- Maximum grant amount: $2,000,000
- Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project expenditure, subject to eligibility rules.
Co-contribution required:
- No mandatory co-contribution is required
Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship important dates
- Grant closing date: 5:00pm AEDT, 18 February 2026
- Expected project commencement: From June 2026
- Maximum project duration: Up to 5 years
- Projects must be completed by: 31 March 2031
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship objectives
The objectives of the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Program are to:
- Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in STEM education and STEM careers
- Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in entrepreneurship, start-ups and innovative businesses
- Increase the number of women in senior leadership and decision-making roles across government, industry, research organisations and businesses
- Deliver initiatives that address systemic and cultural barriers, not just short-term participation outcomes
- Build a robust evidence base to inform future gender equity policies and programs
Projects and expenditure eligible for Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship support
To be eligible, projects must:
- Address systemic and cultural barriers to women’s participation in STEM education, careers or entrepreneurship
- Reduce the multiplier effects of intersectional disadvantage
- Be co-designed with the target audience
- Include a robust evaluation framework capable of demonstrating long-term impact
- Have at least $1,000,000 in eligible expenditure
Eligible Activities May Include:
- Change management and industry transformation initiatives
- Education and professional development addressing gender bias
- Employer-focused initiatives to retain women in STEM careers
- Leadership, mentoring and transition support programs
- Research and evaluation activities directly supporting program outcomes
Ineligible Expenditure
Grant funding cannot be used for:
- Capital purchases (e.g. buildings, equipment, vehicles)
- ICT systems, software licences or subscriptions not directly tied to delivery
- Ongoing operational costs (rent, utilities, insurance, admin overheads beyond limits)
- Application preparation or report writing (excluding required audits)
- Costs incurred prior to execution of the grant agreement
- Overseas travel exceeding 10% of total eligible expenditure (unless approved)
Other Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship support
Eligible applicants must:
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), and be one of the following:
-
- An entity incorporated in Australia
- A publicly funded research organisation or agency (PFRO/PFRA)
- A government or non-government VET provider or TAFE
- An incorporated not-for-profit organisation
Joint Applications
- Joint (consortia) applications are permitted
- A lead organisation must be nominated and will enter into the grant agreement
- Letters of support are required from all project partners
Who Is Not Eligible?
This grant is not open to:
- Individuals or unincorporated associations
- Primary or secondary schools (unless part of a joint application)
- Commonwealth, state or local government bodies (with limited exceptions)
- Trusts (unless applying via an incorporated trustee)
- Employers of 100+ employees that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act
- Organisations listed on the National Redress Scheme non-compliance register
Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship assessment criteria
Applications are assessed competitively against four weighted criteria.
Applicants must score at least 50% in each criterion to be considered for funding.
1. Project Alignment with Policy Intent (50%)
Applicants must clearly demonstrate:
- How the project will reduce or eliminate barriers to participation in STEM education, careers or entrepreneurship
- How the initiative supports women at critical transition points, including:
-
- Entry into STEM
- Retention and progression
- Leadership advancement
- Career change or return to work
- Evidence of co-design with the target audience, including how lived experience informs project design
Strong applications will show deep alignment with national gender equity policy and measurable contribution to long-term outcomes.
2. Capacity and Capability to Deliver (30%)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience delivering programs supporting women in STEM or entrepreneurship
- Access to qualified personnel, specialist expertise and relevant networks
- Strong governance, risk management and delivery capability
- A track record of successfully delivering projects of similar scale and complexity
3. Long-Term Impact (10%)
Applicants must show:
- How the project delivers sustained systemic or cultural change beyond the funding period
- Clear evaluation methods, including:
-
- Measurable outcomes and KPIs
- Data collection and reporting processes
- Alignment with recognised evaluation frameworks (e.g. National Evaluation Guide for STEM Gender Equity Programs)
4. Impact of Grant Funding (10%)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- How grant funding materially improves the scale, reach, quality or timing of the project
- What additional investment or leverage the grant enables
- Why the project would not achieve the same outcomes without Commonwealth support
How do I get the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship support?
To be competitive, applicants should clearly demonstrate:
- Strong alignment with national STEM gender equity objectives
- Evidence-based understanding of systemic barriers
- Meaningful co-design with the intended participants
- A credible, well-resourced delivery team
- Clear, measurable outcomes and evaluation methodology
- Financial robustness and value for money
- Long-term sustainability beyond the grant period
This is a strategic, outcomes-focused program — not a pilot or short-term activity fund.
Information to prepare for the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship support
Applicants should be ready to prepare and submit:
- A detailed project plan (up to 20 pages)
- A comprehensive project budget
- An evaluation framework and risk management plan
- Evidence of board or CEO support
- Letters of support from project partners (if applicable)
- Documentation supporting assessment criteria claims
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship support
Applications must be lodged through the online portal on business.gov.au.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship resources
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