The FREE STEM Fund aims to reduce the gender gap in the fields of ScienceTechnology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

The FREE STEM Fund will invest in initiatives that use intersectional approaches to empower girls, womentransgender and non-binary people as agents of change in the STEM sector.

Thematic areas

• FREE STEM will fund proposals to ensure that girls, women, transgender and non-binary people are widely represented and empowered to thrive and promote the STEM sector. In particular, FREE STEM is expected to support proposals that take into account the following:
  • Advocacy and Awareness
    • Advocate for equal opportunities in STEM fields, while raising awareness about the diverse opportunities and benefits for girls, women, transgender and non-binary people in STEM fields on an individual and community level.
  • Security
    • Improve girls', women's, transgender and non-binary people's access to security by addressing gender-based violence, freedom of movement and digital security in STEM fields and in the community.
    • This includes emotional, psychological and physical violence
  • Trust and Leadership
    • Expanding the soft skills, representation, voice and decision-making of girls, women, transgender and non-binary people within STEM.
  • Health and Well-being
    • Increasing access to mental and physical wellbeing services, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, adequate nutrition, planning, etc. familyIt is also important to recognise the importance of the STEM field, mental health, social well-being and providing access to essential (health-related) services for girls, women, transgender and non-binary people within the STEM field.
  • Models and Networks
    • Creating STEM role models and providing girls, women, transgender and non-binary people with a support network, including through mentoring programmes.
  • Careers
    • Develop STEM skills that will enable girls, women and non-binary people to become an integral part of the STEM career market in academia, industry and entrepreneurship.
  • Education and Training
    • Increase access and support for girls, women, transgender and non-binary people in STEM subjects and training, such as digital literacy and STEM subject tutoring.
  • Financial Inclusion
    • Ensure that girls, women, transgender and non-binary people can access financial information, products and services that enable them to create a future in STEM
  • Time & Accessibility
    • Ensure that girls, women, transgender and non-binary people have the logistical and infrastructural means to pursue STEM opportunities.
    • The disproportionate weight of unpaid labour on women and girls leads to a poverty significant amount of time. This makes it difficult to attend school or other training opportunities, participate in paid work, take part in social and community-building activities and access parental rights and benefits.

What will FREE STEM fund?

• FREE STEM will invest in organisations and groups that directly support and target the following stakeholders:
  • All girls and women, particularly those from under-represented groups and minority communities, and transgender and non-binary people, including but not limited to; black people, indigenous, blacks, LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities, sex workers, refugees, marginalised rural and urban communities, migrants or stateless people, people facing caste-based oppression.
  • They anticipate a high number of applications to the STEM FREE Fund, so they may decide to prioritise applications for funding. Priority will therefore be given to under-represented and traditionally excluded groups.
  • Registered and unregistered initiatives, groups, collectives and organisations focusing on the rights of girls, women, transgender and non-binary people can apply for the following models:
    • Atom
      • Up to 10,000 EUR
        • New groups/organisations
        • Aimed at new or smaller initiatives to address gender equity in STEM
        • No registration or fiscal sponsorship required
    • Molecule
      • Up to 30,000 EUR
      • Not at all:
        • Minimum demonstrable experience of 1 year in implementing STEM x gender equity projects OR
        • Minimum of 3 years' demonstrable experience in one of the Thematic Areas (see above)
      • If a group/organisation is not registered and is applying for more than 10,000 EUR, it will need a fiscal sponsor.
    • Cell
      • Up to 50,000 EUR
        • Aimed at sustaining or expanding existing STEM x gender equity projects
        • Minimum of 2 years' proven experience in implementing STEM gender equity projects.
        • If a group/organisation is not registered and is applying for more than 10,000 EUR, it will need a fiscal sponsor.
    • Please note that if you are applying for funds of more than €10,000 and you are not registered, you will need to nominate a registered organisation that can act as your fiscal sponsor.

Geographical Focus

• FREE STEM will fund work in the following regions: Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Caribbean.

Who can apply?

• The FREE STEM Fund aims to provide direct grants to:
  • Registered and unregistered initiatives, groups, collectives and organisations focused on the rights of girls, women, transgender and non-binary people.

Eligibility Criteria

• They will be open to applications from groups located in the Global South.
• If your organisation meets all the following criteria, you can apply for STEM FREE:
  • Your organisation, collective or group must be made up of at least 3 people.
  • Your organisation or group must be aligned with the mission and vision of FREE STEM.
  • Your project proposal must focus on the target group and include and align with at least one of the FREE STEM Thematic Parameters.
  • Your organisation or group must have at least 60% women, transgender and/or non-binary people in leadership positions. Priority will be given to women-led, transgender-led and non-binary organisations.
  • Their annual income for 2022 should be a maximum of 150,000 euros. Priority will be given to grassroots organisations.

Ineligible

• Profit-making organisations
• Large-scale/capital-intensive infrastructure
• Initiatives/collectives/groups/organisations founded by or dependent on political parties or government agencies/institutions
• Initiatives/collectives/groups/organisations that discriminate on the basis of political or religious views
• Applications from private individuals
• Academic scholarships
• Initiatives/collectives/groups/organisations based in the Global North

For more information, visit Optiver Foundation.