The 30th National Science Week will be held from 15 to 23 August 2026. It’s Australia’s biggest grassroots science festival.
Now is the time to start planning your involvement in an initiative that reaches 3 million Australians via more than 2,000 registered events.
Here’s how:
1. Plan your 2026 Science Week event
Anyone can run a National Science Week event or activity. Events can be in-person or online. They can be public lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, a suite of short talks, panel discussions, tours or open days, plays, concerts.
Anything goes, so long as your event explores and celebrates evidence-based science and/or communicates its relevance to everyday life. There are no restrictions in terms of audience, venue or format.
For more information, see event holders’ how-to guides on the National Science Week website: www.scienceweek.net.au/get-involved/hold-an-event/
2. Consider applying for an event grant. National grant round is NOW OPEN
The Australian Government has already opened the 2026 National Science Week grant round, providing up to $500,000 in funding to individuals and organisations via grants worth $2,000 to $20,000. Applications close 5pm AEST, Monday 29 September
Find out more: www.scienceweek.net.au/2026-national-science-week-grants-now-open/
Apply online: business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/national-science-week-grants-2026
Use our handy guide to writing a great Science Week event description: www.scienceweek.net.au/how-to-write-a-great-event-description/.
Each year, the Inspiring Australia network, supported by state and territory coordinating committees, opens individual state/territory grant rounds to fund a range of STEM engagement events and initiatives during Science Week.
State and territory grants are yet to be announced. Updates will be posted to the National Science Week website. For more information, contact your local Inspiring Australia Manager: https://www.industry.gov.au/science-technology-and-innovation/science-engagement
Read more about the range of National Science Week grants available to help organisations, individuals and schools: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/grants/
3. Register your event(s)
National Science Week 2026 will be held in August, with event registration opening earlier in the year. Stay tuned for updates via www.scienceweek.net.au and subscribe to our e-bulletins: https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/bulletins
Register early to increase your odds of getting media coverage.
4. How schools can celebrate National Science Week 2026
The 2026 school theme is Seeds of science: Nurturing knowledge for all, inviting students to ‘explore the power of curiosity, inquiry and shared learning in growing scientific understanding’. Find out more: https://asta.edu.au/resources/programs/national-science-week/
The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) conducts an annual grant round to assist schools to hold a special event in National Science Week. Applications are usually open in Term One and the results of the selection process announced in Term Two. Schools can apply for up to $500. Find out more: https://asta.edu.au/resources/programs/national-science-week/school-grants/
About National Science Week
National Science Week is the annual opportunity for Australians to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic impact on society – from art to astrophysics, chemistry to climate change, and eco-forensics to future food.
First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals, celebrated as a community-owned, grassroots initiative.
In 2025, a record 2,594 registered Science Week events and activities reached 3 million people.
The festival’s backbone is coordination and a multi-strand funding program from the Australian Government, with state-based coordination and administration from eight state/territory National Science Week Coordinating Committees, and special initiatives run by partner organisations – CSIRO, ABC, and the Australian Science Teachers Association.
Science in Public has been the national publicist for Science Week since 2015.
National Science Week 2026 runs from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 August.
Visit www.scienceweek.net.au
