About 70 students from across the state are gathering in Adelaide after being named 2026 STEM Scholarship recipients.

Students will participate in a series of workshops and information sessions at Adelaide University.

Scholarships are available each year to support public high school students under-represented in STEM (including low socioeconomic status students, girls and Aboriginal learners) to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at SACE level. This year, 75 STEM Scholarships were awarded to regional and metropolitan students.

All scholarship recipients receive up to $10,000, which may be used to cover the cost of tutors, laptops, excursions or anything that directly supports the student to achieve in their chosen STEM subjects.

Most of the STEM Scholarship recipients are commencing Stage 1 SACE and studying a range of scholarship subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Digital Technologies, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Recently, the number of STEM subjects eligible for a scholarship has expanded to include VET subjects to assist with the development of a pipeline of skills for the South Australian Defence industry sector.

Over the course of the year, the students will also participate in mentoring and career guidance programs to help improve their professional and life skills.

STEM Scholarships were introduced in 2017 to support students historically underrepresented in the study of STEM subjects. To date, there have been STEM Scholarships awarded to 508 students, 61% to girls and 21% to Aboriginal learners. Overall, 36% have been awarded to country schools.

All applications are assessed by a panel of representatives from the Aboriginal community and STEM-related industry sectors, including Defence and Department for Education. Scholarships have been sponsored by the Department of Defence and ElectraNet.

Chief Executive, Professor Martin Westwell said STEM scholarships enable students from all walks of life to pursue their future aspirations with the necessary financial and training supports in place.

“Career opportunities in STEM are far reaching and making it easier for underrepresented students in these fields to study in-demand core subjects is important to building a diversified, inclusive and enriched workforce”, said Professor Westwell.

“I know the difference programs like this can make. I was a student from a modest background and being able to go to university to do a science degree changed my life, as I hope it will for the scholarship recipients”.

The next round of STEM Scholarship applications opens on 17 August 2026.