A program described in an independent review as a “gold standard” for fostering gender equity in STEM is facing a funding cliff, despite achieving a 96% retention rate among its scholars.
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is calling on the Federal Government to continue its successful investment in Elevate: Boosting diversity in STEM, which has supported more than 500 women and non-binary scholars across 36 Australian universities.
No new Federal Government-funded Elevate scholarships will be awarded after 2027 unless further investment is secured.
ATSE is seeking funding for three further annual intakes of 100 scholars, with ongoing investment beyond 2030 needed to sustain the program.
A program delivering results
ATSE President Dr Cathy Foley AO FTSE FAA PSM, said Elevate was demonstrating what was possible when Australia invested not just in getting people into STEM, but in helping them stay and build careers.
“Elevate has a consistent retention rate of 96%, with a dropout rate 3.5 times lower than the national average. Those are results we should pay attention to. When an independently reviewed program is delivering this kind of outcome, the question should be: how do we build on what works?” said Dr Foley.
Since its inception, Elevate has provided scholars with financial support, professional development, wellbeing support, mentoring and leadership opportunities in STEM fields where women remain significantly underrepresented, including engineering, physics and information technology.
More than 5,000 applications have been received for the program over the past four years, since initial funding was provided by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
With an average of 10% of applicants able to be supported, the level of demand demonstrates the significant need for greater support for women and non-binary people to study and build careers in STEM.
The program has also reached scholars from across Australia, with 41% from regional, rural or remote backgrounds and 8% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Australia’s STEM pipeline remains under pressure
The case for continued investment comes as women’s representation in STEM higher education remains stubbornly low.
The national STEM Equity Monitor, published last month, found that women accounted for just 39% of university STEM course completions between 2021 and 2024, with the proportion unchanged across the four-year period.
“While there have been some improvements in women’s participation in STEM higher education, progress remains frustratingly slow,” Dr Foley said.
“Real change doesn't happen in a single funding cycle. We can already see Elevate transforming individual careers, but it takes years and sustained investment for that impact to shift the national STEM participation figure.
“Elevate is showing us that targeted support can make a measurable difference to help people complete their studies, develop their skills and build careers.”
What happens after 2027?
Government funding currently supports new Elevate scholarships only through 2027. Without renewed investment, no new scholars will enter the program after that point.
“Continuing Federal Government funding for Elevate would be a practical, evidence-based investment in the people Australia needs to deliver its Future Made in Australia,” Dr Foley said.
Australia has invested in a program that is working. We should not walk away just as the evidence is showing us what works.
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