CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy has been recognised for its culturally grounded approach to creating STEM pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women.
CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy has won the 2026 National NAIDOC Innovation Award, recognising its work to strengthen participation, leadership and representation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The award was announced at the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), on Arrernte Country, on 15 August. According to CSIRO, the award recognises the Academy’s innovative and culturally grounded approach to supporting young Indigenous women to pursue STEM education and careers.
The National NAIDOC Awards celebrate individuals and groups that inspire, lead and create positive change in their communities and beyond. The National NAIDOC Committee considered hundreds of nominations before selecting this year’s finalists.
“The 2026 finalists represent the very best of our communities, strong, proud and continuing a legacy that spans more than five decades of NAIDOC,” said National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Steven Satour.
Established in 2019, the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy was created to provide culturally safe pathways into STEM for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women. The program places Indigenous identity, culture and aspiration at the centre of its approach, drawing on Indigenous Knowledges, cultural authority and leadership.
Through mentoring, leadership development, youth-led governance and national networking opportunities, the Academy supports young women to build confidence, skills and professional connections while pursuing their STEM goals.
Ms Kim Dyball, Executive Manager of CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, said the young women involved were central to the program’s work.
“You are at the heart of everything we do. Your curiosity, courage, ambition and determination inspire us every day,” she said.
The Academy aims to support participants to become researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and leaders across STEM fields.
CSIRO said the program has evolved beyond an education initiative to become a nationally significant Indigenous-led model for STEM participation and workforce development. Through partnerships across education, research and industry, it is helping increase the representation of Indigenous women in STEM while strengthening leadership pathways and creating opportunities for future generations.
Ms Dyball said the award carried both recognition and responsibility for the Academy.
“We accept this award with deep gratitude, but also responsibility to keep creating opportunities, challenging the systems, and reminding every young Indigenous woman to keep dreaming big,” she said.
The recognition highlights the potential of culturally safe, community-driven approaches to improving STEM participation while supporting Indigenous young women to see a place for themselves in STEM education and careers.
The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy is led by CSIRO and supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and CareerTrackers.