[ASA] Fwd: STA Member Update | 12 June 2026

Fri Jun 12 15:17:53 AEST 2026

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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.
12 June 2026
Dear Katrina,

This week the Australian Academy of Science launched a new campaign called Restore Science<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/WzoUCJyBrGf1WLjl1sLsMcyFtpx?domain=us.list-manage.com>, arguing that the Australian Government and business have a shared responsibility for greater investment in research and development (R&D). It also highlights the increasing gap with the investment-levels of other nations. These are messages STA has long argued for<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hln4CK1DvKTByxRPBCptXc5ND1J?domain=us.list-manage.com>, and we support the Academy’s campaign wholeheartedly.

The same day Restore Science launched, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest GOVERD data. Once again, it’s sobering reading, with InnovationAus referring to it<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nMPQCL7EwMfmDMzVmsgujcyieA7?domain=us.list-manage.com> as “plummeting spending.” Government expenditure on R&D was $4.4 billion for the latest period, up by just one per cent since 2022-23. That’s the smallest increase in Government R&D expenditure since 2018-19. And, in real terms after adjusting for inflation, it actually dropped by four per cent in 2024-25.

But the biggest gap in overall R&D expenditure compared to the OECD average is from business, referred to by the ABS as BERD. The proportion of GDP invested in R&D by business in Australia is just 0.9 per cent, more than a full per cent behind the OECD average of 1.99 per cent. Of course, this is not only up to business, which needs the right incentives, workforce and opportunities for R&D investment to make sense commercially in Australia. We will watch with interest when the next BERD data is released, as a core indicator of business confidence in Australian R&D.

The proposed changes to the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) and the axing of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) run absolutely counter to the recommendations set out in the Ambitious Australia report<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/40T_CMwGxOtRyVnDRUGCpc8MBm7?domain=us.list-manage.com>. We look forward to working with the Government on the implementation of Ambitious Australia, which should include initiatives to close the gap in business investment and build industry-academic collaboration.

At STA, we are playing our part to support Ambitious Australia by placing a renewed focus on bringing business leaders and the STEM industry together through our program, Science Meets the Economy<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/NGy5CNLJyQUEq5gJEuVFJcy5cDk?domain=us.list-manage.com>. Last week our Curriculum Design Group met to shape the new program and it’s looking really exciting. If you’d like more details, please visit the website and register for updates.

On two positive notes, we were pleased to see<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/AzlzCOMKzVT0LrBl0uWHJcGzq7n?domain=us.list-manage.com> the conclusion of negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe. This has exciting potential for international research collaboration and will give our STEM industry a much-needed boost. But it must also go hand-in-hand with domestic reform to ensure we’re translating research into real economic outcomes.

Secondly, we are pleased to see that celebration planning for 20 years of NCRIS is coming together. NCRIS is the “patent capital” to the underpinning tools and processes for cutting-edge research and is the envy of the world. It enables everything from deep insights into biodiversity and climate change, understanding complex weather systems, connecting complex data to inform policy decisions, to the prototyping and manufacturing of medical devices. We look forward to reflecting on the success and the potential for what it could enable over the next decade at the end of this month. And we hope the wider R&D industry joins in recognising this significant milestone.

With best wishes,

Ryan Winn
CEO, Science & Technology Australia

REPORTS AND POLICY

  *   The Minister for Science and for Industry, Senator Tim Ayres announced that negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/DIP5CP7LAXfo1AL9ouWI1cxMRfJ?domain=us.list-manage.com> have concluded. The treaty will now go through the formal Parliamentary Committee treaty approval processes.
  *   The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the latest data on Government Expenditure on R&D<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/GuCNCQnMBZf314wg3hvSocGplqX?domain=us.list-manage.com> (GOVERD).
  *   The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler announced $100 million over ten years for a new Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Mission<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/SPXLCROND2uRDP3oRUvTnc1Ns72?domain=us.list-manage.com> – part of the increased MRFF disbursement announced in the Federal Budget.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSIONS

  *   The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is consulting on two new environmental standards<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/FkA4CVARKgC5njpm5TgU1cE5ygf?domain=us.list-manage.com>. Submissions close on 7 July.
  *   The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is consulting onregulation of agricultural emission inhibitor products<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/TpMOCWLVXkUPLwnZPSycLcoqBNz?domain=us.list-manage.com>. Submissions close 1 July.
  *   Submissions are open for the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/N8n_CXLW2mUqP7LjqhWfncWvIps?domain=us.list-manage.com>, closing 26 June.

For policy related matters contact STA Director of Policy and Engagement Dr 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.
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GRANT FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES
Superstars of STEM application webinars

Open to women and non-binary people, the Superstars of STEM program equips brilliant, diverse STEM experts with advanced communication skills and opportunities – in the media, on stage and in schools. The result: we’re growing a critical mass of more diverse celebrity scientists appearing regularly in the Australian media to inspire our next generations of young Australians into STEM study and careers.

In preparation for the opening in July of the next Superstars of STEM program, application webinars will be held:

  *   Wednesday, 24 June, 12pm AEST
  *   Thursday 16 July, 10am AEST
  *   Wednesday 12 August, 3pm AEST

You can register for a webinar here<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/0gx3CYW8NocNWoymNtKh5cx-bEI?domain=us.list-manage.com>.

  *   Nominations are open for the Australian Research Council College of Experts 2027<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jlktCZY1NqiDqnWADT3iwcBc0EP?domain=us.list-manage.com>. Applications close 9 July.
  *   Applications for the New Futures Mobility Fund<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ZebCC1WLPxckAwQxkIVsKcVScvU?domain=scienceandtechnologyaustralia.us9.list-manage.com> have opened. Grants of up to A$5,000 are available to help remove cost barriers and support participation in professional scientific opportunities.
  *   Inspiring Australia NSW is looking for dynamic researchers, scientists and engineers, and innovators to participate in the Meet a Scientist program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dvtvC2xMQziR2oDWRUEtJc5fphw?domain=us.list-manage.com> during 2026 National Science Week. Early career researchers are encouraged to join the program to help build their science communication skills.
  *   A new funding program will provide up to two $100,000 bridging support grants in the first year to stem cell research projects that ranked highly but missed out on NHMRC Investigator Grants. Applications close<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/5yRdC3QNPBiGgYroGhruRcQQDav?domain=us.list-manage.com> 26 June.
  *   Applications are open for the 2026 AINSE Early Career Researcher Grant<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/p087C4QOPEim2AwEmsZCjc40B5O?domain=us.list-manage.com>, supporting early career researchers from AINSE Member Institutions to undertake projects in collaboration with ANSTO. Researchers within their first five years of employment can apply for grants of up to $10,000.
  *   There is still time to apply for the Australian Academy of Science’s 2027 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/FwVvC5QPXJixPYr3xFJF5ckPaPS?domain=us.list-manage.com>. The award supports outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD students and early- and mid-career scientists. Up to $20,000 is available. Applications close 1 July.

MEMBER NEWS
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STA Committee Applications now open
Science & Technology Australia calls for applications to join our Policy Committee or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. These committee positions are fantastic opportunities for individuals to contribute their ideas and expertise to help STA achieve its mission. Applications close COB Monday 15 June. Apply now<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/7Ea1C81V0PTz58yWziOSjcyfb4Y?domain=us.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/3y0MCgZ0N1im15zKmsncOc4Pwfk?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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Beaker Street Festival
STA members Beaker Street have announced the 2026 Beaker Street Festival<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/g1aJClx1NjiAwqYmAFninczexDc?domain=us.list-manage.com> in Tasmania. The festival taking place from 6-17 August is a mix of science, art and connection.
You can find further information and tickets on the Beaker Street Festival website
STA delivers strong benefits to members, including discounted professional services via our Member Benefits Program<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/9NE-CmO5gluAoLQ8AF6sDcRzXuR?domain=us.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.

Want to keep up to date with the latest in science and technology policy and advocacy? Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter - the Science and Technology Update<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cC7ECnx1jniKZpRgKTAtBcJz94R?domain=us.list-manage.com>.

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