WiSE Grants Empower Women in STEM: Meet the $15.9M Winners

These grants, part of the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WiSE) program, will support 17 groundbreaking projects aimed at empowering more women to study and build rewarding careers in STEM fields.

The Australian Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, proudly affirms the government’s commitment to breaking down systemic and cultural barriers that have held women back in STEM. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, these grants aim to expand successful projects that have already made a significant impact in increasing awareness of STEM education and creating opportunities for girls and women to thrive in STEM careers.

Government’s Support for Women in STEM

The Albanese Government has made it a priority to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers and to ensure equal opportunities for all Australians, regardless of their background. Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic emphasised the government’s focus on supporting women’s access to rewarding STEM careers and removing systemic and cultural barriers in the field. The WiSE grants aim to increase the representation of women in senior leadership positions, decision-making roles, research organisations, industry, and business.

Importance of the Grants

These grants represent a significant investment in building a more inclusive and diverse STEM landscape in Australia. By removing barriers and creating opportunities for women and girls, the government aims to address the gender gap prevalent in STEM fields. The funded projects will play a crucial role in fostering interest, enhancing skills, and empowering women to pursue successful careers in STEM.

Here are some of the selections of groundbreaking grant projects that are poised to reshape the landscape of STEM. These extraordinary initiatives are all powered by the WiSE grants.

University of Melbourne

This project builds upon the success of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute’s (AMSI) national postgraduate internship program, which focuses on increasing female participation in industry-based research internships within the STEM field. Over the course of three years, the initiative aims to provide 113 female STEM postgraduate research students with valuable industry experience through internships. Additionally, an annual Careers and Entrepreneurship Masterclass will be offered to all female STEM research students, equipping them with essential skills in research commercialisation. To further incentivise industry participation, a $7,500 rebate will be provided to industry partners. This rebate serves to stimulate demand for interns and targets an increase in female postgraduate STEM participation in industry internships, aiming to raise the current rate of 41% to 45% by 2025.

University of Technology Sydney

This collaborative project brings together three universities—The University of Technology Sydney, The University of Adelaide, and RMIT University—to consolidate best practices in engaging women throughout the STEM pipeline. These universities have developed impactful and sustainable initiatives that span multiple touchpoints, reaching students at the primary and secondary levels, as well as their families and educators.

The programs feature a wide range of role models and industry mentors, ensuring diversity in terms of gender, location, LGBTQIA+ representation, and socioeconomic background. Through this collaboration, we will collectively develop and openly share our experiences in STEM school outreach, fostering a community of practice and integrating industry expertise. This will enable the national expansion of evaluated outreach programs and facilitate long-term change to address the gender gap in STEM.

University of Western Australia

The Quantum Girls initiative collaborates with UWA/Pawsey Quantum Computing to create a national education program that enhances female participation in modern quantum science, a vital component of the STEM economy. Building on the success of Einstein-First, which reversed the decline in teenage female attitudes towards STEM, Quantum Girls will train 200 female teachers online. These teachers will then incorporate Einstein-First and quantum computing into their curriculum for 11-15-year-olds. The program will organise afterschool Quantum Girls STEM clubs and national Quantum Girls Hackathons, supported by inspiring role models. With the inclusion of new micro-credential teacher training, the evaluation of this program in 100 schools will pave the way for future expansion.

RBG Enterprises Pty Ltd

Introducing WILD OnBoard, an unprecedented initiative in Australia that aims to propel the careers of female leaders in STEM by launching them into board positions. Building on the successful pilot of the WILD Program, WILD OnBoard will cultivate local talent and create pathways for 50 accomplished women to secure board positions, making a significant impact on improving diversity in Australian boardrooms. This program brings about individual transformation by offering increased visibility, valuable board connections, professional coaching, and an immersive experience in boardroom dynamics.

This project drives a cultural shift by assisting companies in overcoming stereotypes and bias, while recognising the immense value of diverse perspectives in decision-making and enhancing business performance.

Austmine Limited

This project introduces a systematic approach to boost the involvement of women in the Mining Equipment, Technology & Services (METS) sector, fostering their career advancement through leadership prospects, hands-on experience, skill development, and networking opportunities. It offers STEM female graduates the chance to contribute to this cutting-edge industry, which currently faces low female representation and a shortage of essential STEM skills required to tackle evolving technological demands.

Indigenous Entrepreneur Network Ltd

The We Mean Business (WMB) initiative is specifically tailored to empower Indigenous women entrepreneurs by tackling the unique barriers they face at the intersection of gender, culture, and history. This project aims to dismantle the existing paradigm that undervalues the significance of strong family, cultural heritage, and community ties in the business world. Led by Indigenous voices, the project will provide culturally-appropriate confidence-building sessions, coaching, and business accelerator training firmly rooted in the innovation ecosystem. Through the establishment of robust business networks, this initiative will nurture and amplify the inherent entrepreneurial spirit of Indigenous women and girls, enabling them to flourish in their ventures.

The activities are carefully designed to enhance the perception of the METS sector among female STEM students, while also addressing the barriers that hinder their participation.

STEM Sisters VIC Incorporated

This project is to foster lasting and transformative change by addressing the intersecting barriers faced by Women of Colour (WOC) in STEM fields. By tackling the challenges posed by gender and racial bias, the project aims to enhance the participation of WOC in STEM education and careers while increasing their representation in decision-making roles within the field. The project will expand the successful STEM Sisters program from Victoria to a nationwide scale, ensuring that Women of Colour across Australia have access to impactful initiatives that support their advancement in STEM. Key activities will include career development programs, mentorship opportunities, and the establishment of a robust network that connects WOC in STEM, facilitates career growth, and provides a nurturing environment for fostering a sense of belonging.

Code Like a Girl Pty Ltd

The remarkable achievements of Code Like a Girl are working towards empowering and supporting numerous women in the tech industry, by embarking on an ambitious expansion of our Partner Program and scaling School of Code. This expansion entails broadening course offerings, enhancing internship placement opportunities, and bolstering their capacity to deliver impactful change management programs that embrace gender diversity within the industry.

By doing so, this project aims to directly and significantly enhance educational pathways and employment outcomes for women from diverse backgrounds, who face multiple and overlapping barriers in accessing positions of employment and leadership in this rapidly evolving sector that shapes our future.

The Australian Government’s commitment to supporting women in STEM is evident through the allocation of $15.9 million in grants for 17 impactful projects. These initiatives aim to increase awareness, improve opportunities, and remove barriers for women and girls in STEM education and careers. By investing in diversity, Australia can harness the full potential of its STEM workforce and create a more inclusive and innovative future.

Whether you’re a woman seeking to enhance your STEM career or a company striving to champion women in the field, reach out to us today. Let’s discuss how we can elevate your career or workforce. Together, we’ll pave the way for success and drive positive change in the world of STEM. Contact us now to get started!