[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 28 November 2025

[Richard McDermid]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>
Subject: STA Member Update | 28 November 2025
Date: 28 November 2025 at 12:53:10 pm AEDT
To: Richard <richard.mcdermid at mq.edu.au>
Reply-To: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>

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The STA Member Update is sent to the leadership of member organisations. Please forward to your executive and membership.
28 November 2025
Dear Richard,

The final weeks of the year always feel like a sprint, and this year has been no different. Immediately following 40th anniversary celebrations for Science & Technology Australia we welcomed Jas Chambers at our new President<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kPh_CQnMBZflxjrBRiksYFGYwKN?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Jas has already brought incredible depth in science leadership and great energy to the board, and is already bringing this vigour to this new role. If you’d like to get to know Jas better, I can recommend listening to her recent chat with Robyn Williams on The Science Show<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/t76LCROND2u0VqBnOcqtlF17mCp?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. We’re excited to work on some new initiatives together, bringing science, government and business communities together.

More details will be revealed at Science Meets Parliament 2026. We expect to announce the dates and open registration for our flagship event next week and I look forward to seeing you there. You will receive an email to notify you when registration is live and you can already find program information and more below:
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It hasn’t all been positive news over the past fortnight. Last week we learned<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/P2LSCXLW2mUDJo0B9SMF3FWa9K6?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> about CSIRO’s tough decision to cut up to 350 jobs and still needing to find $135 million per year over the next decade to support essential infrastructure and technology.

As I highlighted in an oped<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qaaUCYW8Nocp82Ok9C2H1FxkZpD?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> published in Nine Newspapers, our overall investment in R&D is only 1.68 per cent of gross domestic product. That’s way below the average of 2.7 percent among OECD nations. I had meetings with several members of parliament and other key stakeholders this week, and we will continue to advocate tirelessly on this issue.

We are also eagerly awaiting the recommendations from the Strategic Examination of R&D due to report to the government by the end of the year. And the sustainability for Australia's research infrastructure will also be a key focus for the next National Research Infrastructure Roadmap, currently under development.

To support our members, we held a National Research Infrastructure Roundtable. Thanks to all the 55 members who took time out of their day for a lively discussion. We have many more member events planned for 2026 and look forward to your participation.

Wherever this may find you, I hope you have a safe and successful end to 2025. I’ll be in touch again for our final members update of the year in a couple of weeks.

With best wishes,

Ryan Winn
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

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The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jMhtCZY1Nqi8G92PjcJIDFBuU71?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> has been tabled.
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The Australian Greens announced an inquiry into Funding and resourcing for CSIRO<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/vYoGC1WLPxcBRN5nZcWSOFV2xQ7?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

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The Department of Education has extended consultations on the 2026 NRI Roadmap issues paper consultation<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ty18C2xMQziZjzOKmc8TEF5JMj1?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Submissions are now due 8 December.

For policy related matters contact STA Director of Policy and Engagement Sarah Tynan<mailto:sarah.tynan at sta.org.au>.
Browse the complete list of reports, policy news, and opportunities for submissions in our LinkedIn newsletter.
View LinkedIn newsletter<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bDDCC3QNPBi9Bz074fzUqFQBTix?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

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STA is proud to support the launch of the RACI x Rebel Girls project, a free suite of resources highlighting the inspiring stories of women with disabilities in STEM. Designed for young people and educators, the project features an inspiring e-book, feature podcast episode, and activities that spark curiosity and celebrate diversity. Download for free<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/aarEC4QOPEi9oK3Y8fLcoF4suaf?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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The dates for the 2026 World Indigenous Cancer Conference (W.I.C.C) have been announced. Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand will host this global gathering of leaders, researchers and advocates committed to advancing cancer equity for Indigenous peoples worldwide from 20-24 April 2026. Register now<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hfAgC5QPXJipvL4glCQfkFkPiP6?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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Nominations for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/9hKtC6XQ4Lf0DY8VWcEhVF5s_By?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> close 18 December. Nominating someone for one of these prestigious awards is an excellent way to acknowledge their important work. Prizes range from $50,000 to $250,000.

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Voting for the 2025 Shaping Australia People’s Choice Awards are now open. There are 15 university-led initiatives in the voting pool. Vote for your favourite project now<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/4fUKC71R2NTVq1oERi7i9FoABlT?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

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The National Intelligence Postdoctoral Grant program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/w9sRC81V0PTPrpLOkCZs8Fyhct7?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> sponsors unclassified academic research designed to achieve Australian Government objectives for research and innovation in national intelligence and security. There is a total amount of $365,000 available to successful applicants.

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DISR announced a new funding round for the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WiSE) grants scheme<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/YHfTC91WPRTN1E9ROfntjFqXua3?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Funded projects will support reducing barriers for women in STEM education, careers and entrepreneurship. A total of $9.77 million is available to successful applicants.

MEMBER NEWS
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Scholarships
Thanks to our generous scholarship partners, STA is offering scholarships across six categories to attend Science Meets Parliament 2026<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/IbKYCjZ1N7iG9QPlOfZFqFmWUlF?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Successful applicants will receive full registration to the two-day event which includes attendance at the gala dinner, a meeting with a Parliamentarian and a ticket to the National Press Club address. Scholarships will open when registrations open.
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Registrations
Registrations for Science Meets Parliament are expected to open next week! STA’s two-day annual flagship event will take place in Canberra at Australian Parliament House from Wednesday 25 March to Thursday 26 March 2026. Keep an eye on the Science Meets Parliament website<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/abbKCmO5gluP2ND1MCrSgFR6uiY?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>and your inbox for when registrations officially open.
<mailto:tristan.scotcher at sta.org.au>
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Science Meets Parliament 2026 Partnership Opportunities
Science Meets Parliament 2026 will be held at Parliament House in Canberra on 25-26 March 2026. We have multiple partnership opportunities to have your brand and staff associated with STA’s flagship event.

Partnerships can include registrations to SMP, extra gala dinner tickets, tickets to the National Press Club address, speaking opportunities, branding in the delegate handbook, acknowledgement as a partner during the event and many more benefits.
Further information on SMP2026 partner opportunities can be found here<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/AZLLCoV1kpfP43ZlwCKUGFpc1Z5?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
STA delivers strong benefits to members, including discounted professional services via our Member Benefits Program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jfgBCp81lrtOD3KQwC8cnFGEvxU?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

Want the latest news from Science & Technology Australia? Subscribe to our media release distribution list<mailto:media at sta.org.au>, it is open to all.

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This email was sent to richard.mcdermid at mq.edu.au<mailto:richard.mcdermid at mq.edu.au>
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