[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 17 Apr 2026

[Richard McDermid]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ryan Winn <ceo at sta.org.au>
Subject: STA Member Update | 17 Apr 2026
Date: 17 April 2026 at 4:58:45 pm AEST
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, including the policy submission and funding opportunities below.
17 April 2026
Dear Richard,

“I am ambitious for reform.” That’s what the Minister for Science and the Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres said about the Ambitious Australia report<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/mCPeCMwGxOtRvmAx4uWsXT897kh?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> in his National Press Club<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/-CpNCNLJyQUEwyGVmCrtlTyNA4N?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>address during Science Meets Parliament. Only three weeks later, STA President Jas Chambers was invited<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kPjACOMKzVT0EQy5mC5uKTG5Efw?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> to a ministerial roundtable to discuss implementation. STA didn’t just have a seat at the table, we were invited to lead one of the three group discussions. That strong contribution was informed by a series of workshops we held with our members. We are grateful to many of you who took the opportunity to shape our response.

Minister Ayres has also spoken of the need to work with universities, research institutions, industry, and his Cabinet colleagues to implement the report. We agree that for Ambitious Australia to be successful, it must have a whole-of-government response. The six National Innovation Pillars have relevance across a range of Government portfolios covering: Health and Medical, Agriculture and Food, Defence, Energy and Environment, Resources and Technology. Over the coming months we will be working to support that cross-portfolio engagement and seeking a clear timeline for action.

Another takeaway from the roundtable was the role of business. It was encouraging to see a number of business leaders attending the meeting. A major commitment from STA to support this reform agenda is our new program, Science Meets the Economy. We will equip STEM professionals to become effective partners with business and industry, whether that’s through supporting evidence-based decision-making to industry boards or enabling their research organisation to better connect with industry needs, including innovation pathways. I invite you to sign-up to receive updates<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/GaAGCP7LAXfoJVkvECBCmTx8GzZ?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> about the program.

It’s clear the Government has a range of competing challenges it must face, both domestically and internationally. This week the 2026 National Defence Strategy<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UnB5CQnMBZf3JZyBjfQF6TG0VPb?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who also spoke at the National Press Club<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/alF9CROND2uRyZznquXHRT1rAt3?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. This followed the recent Statement of Expectations<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kG6PCVARKgC5zQR0oHMIATEgcVV?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> for the Australian Research Council from Education Minister Jason Clare who concluded, "The highest priority of the Australian Government is to keep Australians safe." This is a consistent message that we all need to be aware of and consider in all of our policy engagements.

On the eve of the Easter long weekend, we learned that the Government had decided not to pursue membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). As we said in our media release<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/QdwdCWLVXkUPNoWzmHrSQToEPNc?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>, walking away from ESO membership so soon after the release of the Ambitious Australia report sends a deeply concerning signal.

Next week we are anticipating the release of a report from the Senate Inquiry into Funding and Resourcing for the CSIRO<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/i2YmCXLW2mUqkrzBoHETMTWNbvS?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. While our national science agency received short-term relief in the Mid-Year Budget<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_rS8CYW8NocNjB4k2T4UYTxXejd?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> it remains to be seen if next month’s Federal Budget will contain the significant ongoing and sustainable support CSIRO requires, just to maintain its facilities.

Despite these significant challenges, we know the STEM industry can provide many of the solutions and jobs needed to build the Government’s vision for a Future Made in Australia. Ambitious Australia anchors research, development and innovation in the national interest. And, we will continue working closely with the Government to seize this inter-generational opportunity for reform.

Next week, we will send out an invitation for STA members to hear more details from Jas Chambers about her discussions at the ministerial roundtable. She will deliver a Members Webinar at 11am AEST on Friday 24 April, so save the date.

With best wishes,

Ryan Winn
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

  *
Minister for Science Tim Ayres, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King, and the Minister for Resources, Madeleine King issued a joint media release announcing Investor Front Door pilot projects on fuel security, supply chain resilience and critical minerals<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/mstMCZY1NqiDXBpP9s9c8TBJ7OB?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
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Minister for Education Jason Clare issued a Statement of Expectations to the Australian Research Council<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2iNrC1WLPxckLW9nNCqfnTVTaaI?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

  *
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is Reviewing the National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kw2qC2xMQziR0y9KzuQhPT5kg_f?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Consultations close 20 April.
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The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is consulting on IChEMS proposed standards<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/M2PAC3QNPBiGWNE7zUwikTQpjhl?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Consultations close 24 April.

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/zgIcC4QOPEimRkvYKUDsqT4WLJW?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>
GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

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Expressions of interest are being sought for the ARC’s Research Insights Capability<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jYc9C5QPXJixwNDgLhLtwTki5Tv?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> expert working groups. Applications can be submitted to ARC-researchevaluation at arc.gov.au<mailto:ARC-researchevaluation at arc.gov.au> by COB 1 May.
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The deadline for Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2026<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zi-1C6XQ4Lf1ZwBVYtku5T5fY6k?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> has been extended to midnight 20 April.
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The deadline for applications for the Falling Walls Global Call 2026<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qRuHC71R2NTQn7JE1UlC1ToUqCw?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> has been extended to 30 April. There are eight categories open for nomination. Projects selected as finalists will receive a free ticket to the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin. Apply now<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/szieC81V0PTzB4KOpUWFQTyW6GK?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
  *
The NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jI-EC91WPRTMr7pREfYHVTqFvqj?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> recognise research excellence in cutting-edge work that has generated economic, environmental, health, social and technological benefits for NSW. Nominations close<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/X1caC0YKPviMYPLJwfgIXT9y5gk?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> 18 May.
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Applications for ARC Discovery Projects<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/W1TyCgZ0N1im4Q7PZUzSrT4ulRq?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> for funding commencing in 2027 close 22 April.
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The NHMRC announced the Regional, rural and remote (RRR) capacity building grant opportunity 2026<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/KVVWCjZ1N7i3ZNvlQf3TPTmbh3O?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. It will enable established RRR researchers to lead and mentor early- to mid-career researchers to become future research leaders and invest in high quality place-based research benefiting RRR communities. Applications for funding will open mid-2026.

MEMBER NEWS
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Super STEM Workshops
Until the end of the financial year STA will be offering a discounted ticket price of $180+GST for our scheduled workshops. Join us on 20 May for a Government Relations Bootcamp<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/L-gwCmO5gluAk4r1Ni1fXTRHmVU?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> workshop and/or 27 May for a Marie Kondo your writing workshop<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/4I0HCnx1jniKrBYlNiVhpTJkYzT?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>. Registration is essential<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ZFgvCoV1kpfB6W0l3FRi3TpmUFX?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>.
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Women in STEMM Leadership Summit
The 2026 Women in STEMM Leadership Summit<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bvKECr81nyt14JGwltku3T4Mj7g?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> is organised by the Women Leaders Institute in partnership with STA. One of STA’s strategic goals is to drive diversity and inclusion in the sector. The Summit will be an important contributor to putting action to this. STA members interested in attending the summit can use the code STA100 to receive a discount.
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Science Meets the Economy
STA's new program Science Meets the Economy (SMtE)<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zm0WCxngwOf9PN3mofOH0TyrJ3S?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com>was officially launched last month. SMtE is a groundbreaking intitiative that aims to fundamentally reset leadership in science and technology industries and transform our nation’s economy. The three-day program will take place later in the year, so to ensure you are kept up to date on all details make sure you subscribe to the SMtE mailing list<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/O5UKCyojxQT0AVR65CWIPTxqFiH?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/FrXBCzvkyVCxOVA8ohqSgT9BYcm?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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