Schools Pathways Program Open Competitive
This grant funds projects that engage young Australians in STEM and defence industry experiences to build future workforce pathways and address skills gaps in the sector.
Funder: Australia Department of Defence
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: $150,000–$2,000,000 per project (up to 100% of eligible costs); total pool $11,013,000 over 2 years
Summary: Supports projects that inform young Australians about defence industry careers and encourage STEM engagement to build future workforce pathways.
Description
This grant opportunity is a two-year initiative under the Defence Industry Development Strategy, designed to increase awareness among young Australians of career pathways in the defence industry and to foster engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Projects may have national or targeted reach (e.g., defence industry hubs) and must deliver experiences such as mentoring, industry site visits, networking, and STEM-focused activities. The program aims to build career pathways, address skills gaps, and expand the talent pool for the Australian defence sector, with emphasis on including traditionally underrepresented groups.
