Husic awards extra $3.8 million to Superstars of STEM program

Industry minister Ed Husic has announced an extra $3.8 million over the next seven years for Superstars of STEM, which will see the program run by peak body Science & Technology Australia (STA) train 120 more participants up to 2030.

The program has run since 2017 and coaches women and non-binary scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to become highly-visible role models in the media. According to STA, 210 have been through the program in that time.

“The Superstars of STEM program is shifting public perceptions of what a scientist looks like, and the Superstars themselves are inspiring girls into studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said STA Deputy CEO and Superstars of STEM program manager Dr Sandra Gardam in a statement on Tuesday. 

“Australia needs a STEM-skilled workforce to meet its future workforce needs and create the economy and society we want. That means being able to draw on our entire talent pool and breaking down barriers to science and technology studies and careers.”

STA said it also welcomed the increased focus on reaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences that came with the new funding.

During a speech to the 2024 National Youth STEM Summit 40th Anniversary Dinner on Monday night, Husic also announced an additional $8.5 million to the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Grants (WiSE), another $7.1 million over five years to Science in Australia Gender Equity, and another $2 million for the Girls in STEM Toolkit program.

Information on applying for the 2025 intake for Superstars of STEM is available here.

Picture: credit STA