Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program
The Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program (SYSEAP) supports high school students wishing to further their STEM education through a related competition, event, or course either within Australia or internationally.
The Program aims to maximise STEM education opportunities for NSW high school students who are:
- experiencing financial hardship
- from a low socio-economic background
- from regional or remote locations
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- living with a disability or disorder
- from any other backgrounds that might need support
Funding is provided on an open competitive basis and will be offered through a bi-annual program.
Key Dates
| 10:00 AEST Friday 29 August 2025 | Applications open |
| 10:00 AEST Tuesday 30 September 2025 | Applications close |
| December | Applicants notified of outcome |
Guidelines
- These guidelines contain information about the 2026 Program, whether you are eligible to apply, and how you can make an application.
- You must read and understand the guidelines before applying.
Guidelines – Supporting Young Scientists Equity & Access Program 2026 - Round 1
Application
Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program Application 2026 - Round 1
Supporting documents
Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program Letter of Support Template
Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program Funding Agreement (sample)
Further information
Supporting Young Scientists Equity & Access Program 2026 - Round 1
SYSEAP 2025
Illawarra-based Project Bucephalus was successful in receiving funding in the 2025 SYSEAP and attended the international FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) held in the USA.
The team returned victorious, having been declared the global winner of the highly prestigious Impact Award.
This award is the highest honour in the FRC, recognising a team that serves as an international role model, champion of STEM education, and agent of positive community change.
The make-up of the team highlights the scope of this remarkable achievement. Project Bucephalus is a self-funded community team where 70 per cent of the students have a disability or disorder, and 30 per cent come from low-income backgrounds.
Project Bucephalus triumphed against 600 teams and 50,000 participants in an elite-level competition that pushed both students and their machines to their limits.
The team produced the following video to commemorate their journey.
Contact
Nuala Myatt-Bocarro
raap.grants@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au
02 6586 7879
If you would like to receive further information about the Supporting Young Scientists Equity and Access Program or future programs and activities run by OCSE, please register using this form to be added to the mailing list.
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Previous Funding
The complete list of successful Supporting Young Scientists Program grantees from 2021-24 can be viewed here.