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Women in STEM Subsidy
A new Australian Government $7,500 Women in STEM Subsidy is now available to businesses that engage women in STEM postgraduate research student interns. The Subsidy supports APR.Intern’s commitment to increasing the number of women in STEM industry careers.
The Subsidy is funded by the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ Women in STEM & Entrepreneurship (WiSE) grants program, with 113 available for businesses over the next three years.
Who can get it?
Any Australian business may apply for the Subsidy if they engage a female postgraduate research student intern studying in a field of research classified as STEM under the Australian Government Department of Industry’s STEM equity monitor. The business can be any size and in any industry sector.
How much is the Subsidy?
Eligible businesses will receive a total Subsidy amount of $7,500 on the up-front cost of an internship. The Subsidy is available on all internship durations (3-6 months), however, the Subsidy amount is a flat amount of $7,500 and does not scale for longer duration internships.
PROJECT COSTS
3-Month Project:
$20,000
Full Project Cost
$7,500
Government Subsidy
$12,500
Net Cost to Industry Partner
4-month internship – normally $23,000; $15,500 after subsidy
5-month internship – normally $26,000; $18,500 after subsidy
6-month internship – normally $29,000; $21,500 after subsidy
* Full project cost includes a monthly stipend for the student. All pricing excludes GST.
ELIGIBILITY
Internship is executed by APR.Intern between 3 February 2023 and 30 October 2025
Intern must be female, studying within a STEM discipline and have full-time or part-time enrolment status at an Australian university – the Industry Partner can be in any industry sector
The total number of rebates available is limited and subject to targets in relation to student participation – rebates will be offered at the discretion of APR.Intern
ENTREPRENEURSHIP MASTERCLASS
As part of the Government grant, an annual three-day Women in STEM Careers and Entrepreneurship Masterclass will be delivered by APR.Intern’s parent organisation, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI). APR.Intern will be part of the delivery, as will other areas of AMSI.
Businesses that would like to be involved in the Masterclass as a presenter and/or sponsor are encouraged to get in touch. The Masterclass will be attended by some of Australia’s brighest emerging STEM research talent.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Subsidy?
The Australian Government Women in STEM & Entrepreneurship (WiSE) Subsidy supports APR.Intern’s commitment to increasing the number of women in STEM industry careers and building an entrepreneurial mindset. This Subsidy encourages businesses to engage female STEM postgraduate interns and provide them with industry experience and the confidence to pursue a career in industry, or to partner and with industry in the commercialisation of research.
How much is the Subsidy?
Eligible businesses will receive a full subsidy amount of $7,500.
Is the Subsidy available on all internship durations – 3-6 months?
Yes, the Subsidy is available on all internship durations: 3, 4, 5 and 6-month internships. However, the Subsidy total is $7,500 regardless of internship duration – it does not scale.
When is the Subsidy available?
The Subsidy is available as of 3 February 2023, with 113 subsidies available over three years.
All internships supported by a Subsidy must be executed by 30 October 2025 and fully completed by 8 April 2026.
Is the Subsidy applied up-front or at the end of internship costs?
The Subsidy is applied up-front, lowering the initial cost of an internship for businesses.
Can the Subsidy be combined with another internship subsidy and/or voucher?
Yes, the Australian Government Women in STEM Subsidy can be combined with some of APR.Intern’s other sector-specific subsidies and vouchers, further lowering the cost of a PhD student placement. Please see the individual subsidy/voucher pages for more information on whether they can be combined, listed here.
Does both the business and intern need to be from STEM fields to be eligible?
No, only the female student intern is required to be studying in a field of research classified as STEM under the Australian Government Department of Industry’s STEM equity monitor for the business to be eligible for a subsidy. The business can be in any industry sector.
Is the Subsidy for businesses of any size?
Yes, the Subsidy is available for eligible Australian businesses of any size.
Can businesses apply for a Subsidy if they have already taken part in an APR.Intern project?
Yes, businesses that have already engaged in the APR.Intern program can apply for a Subsidy. However, 50% of all subsidies – over the three year grant period – must be with businesses new to APR.Intern, and subsidies will be offered at the discretion of APR.Intern to meet these requirements.
Do businesses have to be Australian to be eligible?
Yes, businesses must be registered for tax purposes in Australia to be eligible for this Subsidy.
Does the intern have to be a PhD student?
No, the Subsidy is available for any female postgraduate research student studying in a STEM field of research at an Australian university. This includes PhD students, Masters by Research students and other Doctoral students.
Can the intern be from any Australian university?
Yes, eligible student interns can be from any Australian university, as long as they are female and studying in a field of research classified as STEM under the Australian Government Department of Industry’s STEM equity monitor.
Is there a limit on international student interns?
No, there is no limit on international student interns, with both international and domestic female STEM students eligible for this Subsidy.
Are there any equity targets for the Subsidies?
Yes. Under the Government grant, APR.Intern will aim to place a certain number of internships with female STEM students from regional universities, disadvantaged female STEM students and First Nations female STEM students. APR.Intern will do its best to support these students, and subsidies will be offered at the discretion of APR.Intern to meet these requirements.
What is the Women in STEM Careers and Entrepreneurship Masterclass?
As part of the Government grant, an annual Women in STEM Careers and Entrepreneurship Masterclass will be delivered by APR.Intern’s parent organisation, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI). APR.Intern will be part of the delivery, as will other areas of AMSI.
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