Adult Future Shapers

Adult Future Shapers are those in the community that support young people in Years 5-10 to build STEM or 21st Century skills like problem solving, curiosity and innovation. 

This can include, (but are not limited to) community group leaders, elders, educators, STEM industry professionals, or other members of the community.

Adult Future Shapers must also be 18 years or older.

CSIRO, BHP Foundation and BHP employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply for Adult Future Shapers.

If selected as one of our five Adult Future Shapers in 2024, you can design your prize to supercharge your skillset or support young people to go further with STEM.

You will be supported with an individualised success plan, chances to attend tailored virtual events and networking opportunities; and the ability to co-design a prize to help you or your community take your interest in STEM further.

Choose from a tailored resource package or an experience (like attending a conference or professional development opportunity in Australia or support running a STEM event).

Females; Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples; those from lower advantage areas and those from regional areas are underrepresented in STEM. If you support young people in Years 5-10 from one or more of these groups, we especially want to hear from you.

As an Adult Future Shaper applicant, you do not need to personally identify as being from these groups. 

You can also still apply if the young people you support are not at school but would be in Years 5-10 if they were in the school system.

When you apply, we’ll ask you about how you support students to build their confidence, capability or connection with STEM or at least one of our ‘21^st Century skills’. These include curiosity, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and communication.

Please read our terms and conditions PDF (104 KB).

Contact us at STEMTogether@csiro.au if you have any queries.

The easiest method is to apply online on this page from November 6.

Applications will close on Friday, 15 December at 11.59pm AEST.

There are five main questions to respond to, which can be submitted as short written responses OR video.

Submitting your application

• You can type your responses into the free text fields provided, or upload documents in .doc, .docx, .pdf, or .ppt formats. Typed responses should be no longer than 200 words per question.
• Videos should be no longer than one minute per question and uploaded as .mov, .mp4, or .avi formats.
• Or if you need to email or post your submission, contact us at STEMTogether@csiro.au and we’ll send you a form to print.

You will be asked for the contact details of someone that can vouch for what you say in your application. We will only contact your referee if you are shortlisted as a Future Shaper.

We will be in touch with all applicants in early 2024 to let them know the outcome of their application.