Grants Available August 2018

Arts and Cultural Development Program

Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Development Program (ACDP) provides funding opportunities for NSW-based arts and cultural organisations, NSW professional artists and arts/cultural workers across a wide range of artforms and disciplines.

The program funds everything from multiyear programs to one-off projects and professional development opportunities, across visual arts, museums, history, literature, performing arts, music and more.

Create NSW also delivers on defined and developing priorities, new opportunities through specific strategic initiatives and targeted support. As new initiatives and other opportunities are developed throughout the year, information will be published on our website.

The Arts and Cultural Development Program Guidelines

Whether you’re a first-time applicant or have experience applying for Create NSW funding, you’ll find important information to help your application in the Arts and Cultural Development Program Guidelines.

In these guidelines, you’ll find:

· Information for all applicants (read this first)

· Creative Koori Grants (Aboriginal arts and culture funding)

· Grants for Individuals (professional development)

· Grants for Projects (individuals, groups and organisations)

· Grants for Organisations (program)

Apply now

To apply for funding you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form through our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.

Need this information in another format?

If you’re an applicant with disability, you can ask for this information in a format that’s accessible to you. Contact Create NSW (between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday):

From inside NSW (02) 8289 6520

From outside NSW 1800 358 594 (freecall)

Via email arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au

If you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service:

TTY users Phone 133 677 then ask for (02) 8289 6520.

Speaker and Listen users Phone 1300 555 727 then ask for (02) 8289 6520.

Internet Relay users Connect to the NRS then ask for (02) 8289 6520.

Need this information in another language?

If you would like to talk about your application in your first language, you can ask for an interpreter through the Translating and Interpreting Service. Contact Create NSW for more information.

Need a printed application form?

Regional applicants with unreliable internet connections can ask to use a printed application form. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, contact Create NSW before the closing date.

Need advice on your application?

Contact Create NSW.

The following might also be useful...

· NSW Small Grants (devolved funding)

· Privacy policy and access to information

· Assessment Meeting Reports

HP Kids Fund - HP

65% students will be employed in jobs that are not yet created.

It is crucial that schools in Australia are equipped to transition classroom learning into the future. We invite every school teacher and principal across Australia to apply for a $10,000 grant to be used towards HP technology.

Applications for the third intake are now open.

Apply now and be one of the first schools to receive a $10,000 grant to be used towards HP technology for your classrooms. Applications are now open until 22nd October 2018. Follow the two simple steps below to apply.

https://kidsfund.thehphub.com/

Social Change Fellowship

Overview the Social Change Fellowship

The Westpac Social Change Fellowship supports the development of people from any sector with the drive to create better lives for all Australians. 10 Fellowships of up to $50,000 will be awarded to individuals who have the vision and commitment to deliver an initiative that will improve the wellbeing of Australians.

The Fellowship is designed to give recipients time and space to develop the skills, knowledge and networks needed to accelerate their growth as a social innovator. This may involve travel study tours, work experience, research or building stronger connections that will directly enhance their ability to lead positive social change. 

Successful recipients will also become valued members of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. 

Funding

If your application is successful you will receive up to $50,000. This funding will help you embark on your own bespoke development journey, over a maximum six month period.The Fellowship could cover:

· Travel and accommodation costs (overseas and/or domestic)

· Expenses relating to the experience

· Reasonable personal expenses

· Costs for relief in current employment (depending on need)

Beyond the Fellowship, you will also have lifelong support through the Westpac 100 Scholars Network, where you will gain access to invaluable networking, learning and development opportunities.

Need more information?

Watch the Westpac Social Change Fellowship webinar, recorded on Wednesday 26 July, 2017. This helpful webinar provides an overview of the Fellowship including key attributes of a Westpac Social Change Fellow and tips to complete your application for 2019. http://bicentennial.westpacgroup.com.au/scholarships/social-change-fellowship/

Key dates

11 July 2018: Applications open

20 August 2018: Applications close

December 2018: Notification of outcome

Jan/Feb 2019: Begin Fellowship

We are looking for individuals who have a particular set of qualities that sets them apart from others. They have generosity of spirit and a strong desire to give back to Australia. Their commitment to our country’s broader social purpose, to create equal opportunity and better lives for all Australians, is reflected in their work and their actions.

Who can apply?

· You are an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident

· You are over the age of 18

· You are applying for funds to build your capability, skills, experience and connections to deliver social change

· You are already leading an initiative to improve the wellbeing of Australians at a local, state or national level

· You have the support of the community that your initiative is seeking to benefit

· You have a keen desire to share ideas with others, to be challenged, to be inspired

In a Good Place program (FRRR)

In a Good Place is a national grants program that provides support for community-driven initiatives that reduce social isolation, increase social participation and connectedness, and encourage people in rural, regional and remote communities who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues to seek help.

There are three objectives for this program:

1. Reduce social isolation;

2. Increase social participation and connectedness;

3. Increase help-seeking.

By supporting local solutions and using a multi-faceted approach focused on enhancing people, place and wellbeing, our donor partner, CCI Giving, aims to give back to those overcoming challenges and adversity, and to the most marginalised in society.

Strengthening mental health in rural communities

In a Good Place supports rural, regional and remote communities in their efforts to strengthen the mental health of at-risk and vulnerable members of their communities via projects, services or activities that are preventative or responsive in nature and which are designed to engage those less likely, unable due to distance and isolation, or ineligible to participate in mainstream mental health services.

The program will comprise of two open call grant rounds per annum, offering grants of up to $20,000 from an annual funding pool of $200,000.

It is investing in local responses to measurably improve mental health in rural Australia, by supporting community-led projects. Priority will be given to initiatives that:

1. Are delivered via non-clinical first providers of mental health care, such as school counsellors and teachers, members of the clergy or pastoral care teams, neighbourhood or community groups, or via technological or other innovative methods;

2. Improve accessibility and availability of mental health services, tools or support to areas with limited or no access to the same;

3. Provide innovative responses that are inclusive, building social connections that lead to better mental health;

4. Confront stigma surrounding help-seeking behaviour.

Organisations that receive a grant through the In a Good Place program are asked to participate in an evaluation of the collective outcomes of projects supported through the grants program. This will entail agreeing to:

· Report back on achievements and learnings against the overarching grant program objectives, outcomes and indicators;

· Report back on achievements and learnings against individual project goals and measures, comparing anticipated and actual outcomes; measures and the methods used will be determined by the applicant, relevant to their community, project scale and approach;

· A follow up meeting (by phone) with FRRR within six months of project completion, and / or project site visits with FRRR and CCI Giving.  

Prioritisation of funding

Preference will be given to projects that:

· Serve communities with populations under 10,000;

· Are run by and based in the beneficiary community/ies;

· Respond to specific population mental health and wellbeing issues within a local community;

· Are sustainable beyond the period of the grant;

· Can clearly measure and report on project outcomes.

Applying

The In a Good Place program opens 9 July and closes 20 August, 2018.

Applications are invited from not-for-profit community-based organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate.

Successful projects will receive the funds in October 2018.

Applications must be submitted via FRRR's Grants Gateway by 5pm AEST Monday, 20 August 2018.

FRRR uses an online grants administration system. All applications for the Caring for Ageing Rural Australians program will be submitted via FRRR's Grants Gateway online portal.

Please download and save the How-To Guide and the Grants Gateway FAQs to your desktop, and read through them thoroughly to help get you started. You may need to refer to them during the application process. We also encourage you to watch this introductory clip about the 'Activity Tree', which you'll need to understand to apply.

To begin your application, click on the Apply Now button below when the program opens.

PLEASE NOTE: Ensure there are only numbers in your budget, or the auto-calculate function won't work - i.e. do not include commas, full stops or dollar signs - only numbers.

Let us know if you have any problems by calling 1800 170 020, or emailing info@frrr.org.au.

For more information on this process, please read the following documents:

Program guidelines and the link to the online application form will be available from 9 July.

· 2018 In a Good Place Program Guidelines

· Grants Gateway FAQs

· Grants Gateway How-To Guide

· Introduction to using the Activity Tree

Further information

Before applying, please review the Guidelines carefully. You can contact FRRR on 1800 170 020 or via email with any questions or areas of clarification. If you have any queries or wish to discuss your project, pleasecall FRRR on freecall 1800 170 020. 

Related links

· Frequently asked questions

· Community group resources

· Writing great applications

Case studies

Here are some case study examples of community led projects confronting the stigma of mental health:

· Take a plate, check on your mate

· Goldfields Girls strike self-esteem gold

· Are you right, mate?

· Raising the cards on mental health in Mt Isa

· Upper Lachlan Shire book launch

With One Voice Community Choir Start-Up Grants

Apply for $10k grants to start your choir

· Are you a community mover and shaker?

· Are you passionate about community wellbeing and the arts?

· Do you want to create meaningful change and a fairer, more caring society?

The With One Voice movement is about strengthening communities and inspiring individuals to find their voice. We believe empowered individuals and supportive communities are better placed to solve society’s big challenges including cross-cultural integration, unemployment, mental illness, productivity, skills shortages, loneliness and isolation, family fragmentation, homelessness and more.

A With One Voice program is more than just singing with your local community choir. It is an opportunity to create real connections between the diverse people in your community. It is about reaching out to those who are experiencing disadvantage and encouraging the socially advantaged in our community to engage with, learn from and help these people.

To make it easier for communities to start their own choir, Creativity Australia is offering a limited number of grants up to $10k to start your choir. The next round of applications are open and will close on 31st August, 2018.

Apply for a grant up to $10k to start your choir

Creativity Australia is offering a limited number of Start-up Grants for community organisations to start their own With One Voice program.

For those wishing to start their own With One Voice choir, Fill out the application form, once completed kindly send your application to  withonevoice@creativityaustralia.org.au.Please let us know who are, where you are and how we can collaborate with you to help you start a life-changing program in your community.

Applications are open now and will close on the 31st of August.

Download the information guidelines for starting a With One Voice program.Download the Media Release June

https://www.creativityaustralia.org.au/choirs/start/

Veolia Mulwaree Trust

The second round of the Veolia Mulwaree Trust Community Grant and Donation Program has opened.

To apply for a grant or donation for your community organisation, please see the program guidelines and online applications forms available on the web site.

https://www.veolia.com/anz/about/about-veolia/corporate-social-responsibility/veolia-mulwaree-trust/funding-grants

Applications will be received until 22 August 2018. (see over page)

The Heritage Green Energy Grants are available to:

· Owners or managers of heritage buildings that are listed as a heritage item on a council's Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or on the State Heritage Register (SHR). You can check if a site is listed as a heritage item by visiting the NSW Planning Portal, or by contacting your local council.

· Successful participants of an OEH energy efficiency training course.

The OEH Heritage Green Energy Grants program recognises that energy efficiency can be more difficult to achieve for heritage items because building age, materials, type of construction, size, shape and site orientation all play a role in how heritage buildings perform.

The Heritage Green Energy Grants program complements OEH’s Energy Management Services (EMS) program. Applicants for a Heritage Green Energy Grant need to complete a training program through the EMS program before submitting an application.

Visit the Introduction to Energy Management page for details on available training sessions, or contact the EMS program on 1300 361 967 or at energy.saver@environment.nsw.gov.au.

OPEN: 8 June 2018

CLOSE: 5pm 28 September 2018

FUNDING AVAILABLE: Up to $100,000 per application

Download the Heritage Green Energy Grants Applicant and Information Guidelines 2018-19 (PDF 198KB) (only linked on non pdf copy)

Submit your application (only linked on non pdf copy)

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/heritage/support-for-local-heritage/heritage-near-me-incentives-program

$20 million to support Australia's volunteers

Community organisations will benefit from $20 million in grants to support the efforts of their volunteers following a recent announcement of the Volunteer Grants round.

"The Government recognises the value of Australia's 8.7 million volunteers," Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, giving up their time and expertise to help charities, sports clubs and schools.

"Volunteering also helps people into jobs, reduces social marginalisation and increases community participation.

"By helping each other and working together, we are building stronger and safer communities."

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 can be used towards the cost of essential items that help make the work of volunteers easier, safer, and more enjoyable, such as equipment, training, transport and background screening.

Across Australia, volunteer efforts make an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.

The Volunteer Grants round is expected to open in August.

For more information, visit the Department of Social Services' Community Grants Hub website to subscribe to updates on the application process. https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/

The Try, Test and Learn Fund: Tranche 2

Category Transition to Work

Closing Date & Time 28 September 2018 - 2:00pm AEST

The Try, Test and Learn Fund (the Fund) was announced in the 201617 Federal Budget as an initial response to the Australian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare. Tranche 2 of the Fund will finance smallscale trials of new or innovative approaches to support people at risk of longterm welfare dependence. Tranche 2 has four priority groups but also welcomes ideas to support other groups proposed (and appropriately justified) by applicants.

The priority groups comprise Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 and over (with a focus on those who have been out of the workforce for longer than 12 months); migrants and refugees aged 1664 and receiving income support; carers aged 1664 and receiving Carer Payment; and atrisk young people aged 1621 and receiving income support.

This grant opportunity invites applications for smallscale trials to provide services or supports to improve workforce participation or capacity to work for people at risk of longterm welfare dependency. These services can be delivered anywhere across Australia. Tranche 2 grants will provide funding for both the codevelopment and delivery of projects. Codevelopment refers to collaborative activities to refine project design, for example through workshops with end users.

Trials supported by the Fund must generate useful evidence to inform future Government policy, including by producing measurable outcomes within a twoyear timeframe. Projects will be robustly evaluated to produce high quality policy evidence about what works, for whom, and under what circumstances. The evidence gathered will allow the Government to transform investment in existing programs or make the case for new investments.

Batching of assessment of applications: The Hub intends to divide the assessment of applications into five batches. Each batch will contain applications that have been submitted for the grant opportunity over a two month period. The table below identifies the cutoff dates for last two batches. -

Batch

Applications submitted by:

5

28 September 2018

More information about the services under the Try, Test and Learn Fund: Tranche 2 as well as requirements for applicants are in the following documents that form the Grant Opportunity:

· Grant Opportunity Guidelines

· Questions and Answers (close 5:00pm AEST 21 September 2018)

· DSS Comprehensive Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions

· Sample Application Forms

· Project Plan Template

· Unable to attach financial statements declaration template

· Special conditions on intellectual property template

· Grant Application Support Resources:

· Fact sheet - Test Try and Learn Tranche 2

· Fact sheet – At-risk young people on income support

· Fact sheet – Migrants and refugees on income support

· Fact sheet – Working age carers

· Fact sheet – Older Newstart Allowance recipients

How to apply: To apply, use the appropriate application form link below for the priority group your project will target:

· Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 and over

· Migrants and refugees aged 16-64 and receiving income support

· Carers aged 16-64 and receiving Carer Payment

· At-risk young people aged 16-21 and receiving income support

· Other target group/s

https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/try-test-and-learn-fund-tranche-2

NSW Grandparents Day - Awards

Nominations are now open for the NSW Grandparent of the Year Award.

Grandparents and older people give so much to our communities and families, from sharing their skills and wisdom, to volunteering their time and looking after grandchildren.

Celebrate everything a grandparent or older person does for you and your community and nominate them for the 2018 NSW Grandparent of the Year Award today.

The 2018 NSW Grandparent of the Year Award recipients will be announced at an award ceremony at NSW Parliament House in October, ahead of NSW Grandparents Day.

How do I submit a nomination?

All nominations must be submitted online via the 2018 NSW Grandparent of the Year nomination form on the SmartyGrants portal.

You’ll be asked to provide contact details and information about why your nominee should be recognised as the NSW Grandparent of the Year.

Nominations will be judged on contributions made to families and communities, and to intergenerational connections within the community. Please note that award finalists will be required to complete a police check.

Nominations close Friday 7 September 2018.

For more information, email grandparentsday@facs.nsw.gov.au.

Find out how you can enter our NSW Grandparents Day photography competition.

Australian Aid: Friendship Grants

Every year across Australia, thousands of people donate their time and money to help people in developing countries. Australian Aid: Friendship Grants will bring local Australian community organisations into the Australian aid program by providing funding for them to expand or enhance their international development activities in our region. Photo: Darren James.

Applications for Round 1 are now open. To apply, see our How to apply page. Applications will close on 27 August.

Announced in the 2018-19 Budget, and launched by the Foreign Minister the Hon Julie Bishop MP on 30 May 2018, the $10 million, three-year Australian Aid: Friendship Grants program will engage a diverse group of Australian community organisations in the delivery of Australia's aid program.

The program will support organisations from across Australia who have existing relationships and international development activities that are contributing to Australia's development goals. The Friendship Grants will provide funding for these community organisations to expand or enhance their existing aid activities in the Indo-Pacific, including through new projects.

Eligible Australian community organisations are encouraged to apply for funding of between $30,000 and $60,000 in three annual grant rounds.

Many Australian organisations, including charities, local government groups, professional organisations, diaspora groups and volunteer groups are already working hard to help communities in our region. These organisations have unique, on-the-ground experience in international development and have forged strong relationships with local communities overseas. Friendship Grants aims to bring the international development experience of these Australian community organisations into the Australian aid program by supporting the best of these activities and projects.

Email FriendshipGrants@dfat.gov.au or call the Friendship Grants hotline on +61 2 5104 0633.

http://dfat.gov.au/aid/who-we-work-with/friendshipgrants/Pages/default.aspx

RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships

Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW.

Scholarships of $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study are available.

There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the applicant. You could be studying anything from physiotherapy, engineering, teaching, agricultural science, horticulture, medicine and commerce - and almost everything in between. You could be studying at University, TAFE or VET courses, on campus or by distance learning. However applicants all have one thing in common - a desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW.

Applicants for a Rural Scholarship must:

· Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited tertiary course at an approved Australian education provider

· Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of rural NSW

· Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or training goal

· Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

 

Applications for the 2019 Rural Scholarships will close 31 August 2018. 

http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/ras-rural-scholarships/

Dreams for a Better World - Community grants

Sunsuper's community grants are here to give you the leg up, a helping hand to make your dream a reality.

If your not-for-profit organisation or community group dreams of helping to create brighter futures for Australians or a more active community or support others to live better we want to hear about it.

Round Information

There are three rounds for community grants and each round has a different theme. If your dream fits the criteria and is eligible apply for your chance to receive up to $50,000 in grants to help a cause close to your heart.

Round 3: Active Community

Applications close 14 September

Let's create active and healthy communities across Australia.

If you're looking for sports grants to help people of all ages and abilities be more active, or to improve the health and fitness of those in your community, apply for our Active Community grant. Or if you have a dream to create more active communities through health initiatives, wellbeing programs or by tackling medical issues faced by the wider community we also want to hear from you.

https://dreamsforabetterworld.com.au/community-grants

Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples' Education Fund

The Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples’ Education Fund is open for applications.

We completed our eighteenth round of funding on 31 March 2018 and we received 65 applications but as we are only a small fund we were only able to assist 11 applicants.

The closing dates for the Education Fund are every six months at the end of March and September each year.

Applications next close on September 30, 2018

Our fund is looking to distribute small six monthly grants of up to $2,500 to assist people with disabilities to continue their learning. Contact Frank at info@adipef.org.au

Eligibility

People with disabilities of any age living in Australia may apply for any assistance to help with both formal and informal education. While people may need assistance to complete the application, we would like a letter in the persons own words telling us why they want to learn.

How to Apply

Download the form below, complete it and send it back to us. Any questions please contact us.

Word ADIPEF Application Form

PDF ADIPEF Application Form

http://www.adipef.org.au/

Local Sport Grant Program

Applications close: 24 August 2018

Local Sport Grant Program Guidelines 2018/19 (PDF, 9,421 KB)

Submit an application

FAQs

All potential applicants are encouraged to regularly review the frequently asked questions to ensure that their application addresses the relevant requirements.

Also, check out five steps to writing a grant application.

The Office of Sport, assists the people of NSW participate in sport and active recreation.

Sport and active recreation deliver many personal and community benefits including developing self-esteem, maintaining health and fitness, nurturing talented athletes and contributing to individual enjoyment of life.

Sport and active recreation can also contribute to a range of government priorities including tackling childhood obesity and building safer communities.

About the Program

The Program aims to increase regular and on-going participation opportunities in sport and active recreation.

There are four project types within the Program:

1. Sport Development

2. Community Sport Events

3. Sport Access

4. Facility Development.

Applicants will be required to identify the type of project for which they are applying as different information is required for each project type. An organisation may apply for more than one project but must register separate projects for different project types. An organisation may apply only for one project under each project type.

Program objectives

The overall objectives of the Program are to:

· Increase regular and on-going participation in sport or structured physical activity.

· Address barriers to participation in sport or structured physical activity.

· Assist sport clubs provide quality service to their members.

Your project must address at least one of these objectives.

Funding available

· Funding is available for projects throughout NSW

· $50,000 has been allocated for successful projects within each NSW electorate

· Applicant must identify the electorate where the project will occur

The maximum amounts available are:

· Sport Development - $2,000

· Community Sport Events - $5,000

· Sport Access - $5,000

· Facility Development - $20,000.

The minimum amount available is $250 for all project types with the exception being for facility development which has a minimum request of $1,000.

Organisations may apply for one project per project type. The maximum available to any one organisation is $25,000 in a financial year. The amount organisations request should reflect the scale of the project.

Organisations may only receive State Government funding once for the same project or component of a project from this program or any other State Government funded grant program.

Organisations must contribute to the project, the higher the contribution the more favourable it will be looked upon. This can be a financial contribution or through use of voluntary labour, donated materials and/or equipment or other resources directly related to the project. Third party organisations are also encouraged to contribute, including Local Government Authorities and these contributions will be counted as part of the club contribution.

Funding should be expended within 18 months of the date of signing the funding agreement.

Who is eligible to apply?

· Incorporated, not-for-profit grassroots sport clubs.

· Applications from Licenced Sporting Clubs may be considered providing the project directly benefits the sport and not the licenced premises.

· Applications may be considered from Sport Clubs associated with a school, church or university providing they are an incorporated not for profit club in their own right.

· Applications from approved Active Kids providers that are not-for-profit may be considered providing the project directly benefits the delivery of the Active Kids program.

Who is ineligible to apply?

· Individuals, groups of individuals and unincorporated organisations

· Incorporated not-for-profit organisations that are not a sport club

· For profit, commercial organisations

· Organisations Limited by Shares

· Government departments and agencies

· Educational institutions including schools and their P & Cs, universities, TAFE, colleges and child care centres

· Local Government Authorities operating under the Local Government Act 1993

· Local Government Committees

· State Sporting Organisations

· National Sporting Organisations

· Regional Academies of Sport

· Cultural Community groups

· PCYC’s / YMCA / Scouts (Youth groups)

Applications for all project types must clearly demonstrate an identified need for the project and articulate how the project outcomes will be achieved.

Documentation is required to be uploaded in the application for all Facility Development projects. 

If you are not sure of the project type please contact Sport and Recreation on 13 13 02 or email grantsunit@sport.nsw.gov.au (link sends e-mail)

What costs will NOT be funded?

For all project types, the following costs will NOT be funded:

· Staff wages and administration costs

· Appearance fees, prize money and trophies

· Presentation functions

· Food and/or catering

· Medical equipment (defibrillators)

· Private or commercial ventures

· Events that are organised for the primary purpose of fundraising

· Individual scholarships

· Charity fundraising events

· Council costs incurred in securing Development Approval

· Insurance (public liability, general liability, etc.)

· Projects that have already commenced or been completed

· Projects for the construction/upgrade of roads or carparks

· Purchase of land or rental of premises

· Purchase of office equipment (e.g. desktop computers, printers, photocopiers etc.)

· Projects not based in NSW

· Projects that are the responsibility of another Ministerial portfolio e.g. PCYC's

· Subsidy for school sporting activities and events

· Travel to destinations outside of NSW

· Facility projects that have not received development approval (DA) from the relevant Council or cannot demonstrate that such approval is not required

Local Sport Grant Program Guidelines 2018/19 (PDF, 9,421 KB)

Apply now

Applications for the Local Sport Grant Program close on Friday 24 August 2018.

Visual Arts - The Gordon Darling Foundation

What does the Gordon Darling Foundation support?

The Foundation provides funding for a range of visual arts projects Australia-wide.

Funding may be provided for:

· catalogues and publications

· that are scholarly

· that provide a permanent record of an exhibition, collection, artist or movement

· the Foundation does not fund souvenir or promotional publications

· exhibition development excluding marketing or promotional costs

· professional education initiatives including individual professional development

· research projects

· symposia

Who is eligible?

The Foundation can only provide funding to Public Institutions in Australia. Individuals wishing to apply for funding for projects are required to partner with a Public Institution which then takes responsibility for the project. The Trustees will normally award only one application per organisation in any given year.

Funding criteria

The Foundation encourages applications from all over Australia.

The Foundation is a funder of innovative projects.

The Foundation is a funder of projects providing increased access to the visual arts.

Projects will be expected to attract considerable public exposure.

Projects should demonstrate the highest levels of professional practice.

The Foundation may be the sole grant provider or the lead donor or a participant in a collaborative funding with other private and/or public donors.

The Foundation will not normally support projects that have been almost fully funded from other sources.

Preference will be given to projects which will tour.

General Grant Program

Contact the Gordon Darling Foundation to request an application form and detailed guidelines:

Phone: 03 9820 3168, Email: gdarling@bigpond.net.au Administrators: Sherrie Antonio / Alister Shew

Applications must be submitted by mail in hard-copy on the current year's form with any supporting material.

The closing dates for applications are 7 January, 31 May and 30 September respectively.

Research Grants - National Stroke Foundation

The 2019 Grant Round introduces two new targeted young adult research grants, generously offered by families who have established Memorial Funds for targeted research.

The 2019 Grant Round will fulfil the following three distinct purposes of the Stroke Foundation’s Research Grants program:

1. Build capacity in the research community by offering Early Career Researcher Seed Grants.

2. A targeted call for a young adult research grant as part of the Tim Glendinning Memorial Fund for Young Adult Stroke. This special grant is a Seed Grant available to researchers of any career stage.

3. A three year grant to support research towards the early diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) induced stroke in younger people. The Gavin Paul Bennier Memorial Research Fund grant is available to researchers of any career stage.

 https://strokefoundation.org.au/what-we-do/research/research-grants

Key dates for 2019 Research Grants

Grant applications open: Monday 9 July 2018

Grant applications close: 5pm AEST Friday 7 September 2018

Asia Study Grants 2018 - National Library of Australia

The Library offers annual Asia Study Grants to assist scholars in Australia to undertake research relating to Asia through a four week period of intensive access to our Asian language and Asia-related collections.

Who can apply? Asia Study Grants are open to researchers who are citizens of, or resident in, Australia. Applicants may be PhD candidates, early career or established researchers, or independent scholars, working in any discipline, who need to use the Library’s Asian language or Asian-related collections for their research. Researchers do not have to be permanent citizens but residing in Australia as recognised researchers for an established period of time at an institution.  

What assistance is offered? Study Grant recipients will receive financial support consisting of:

· an honorarium of $1000 per week to cover accommodation and living costs in Canberra, for up to four weeks, and;

· a contribution to travel within Australia, equivalent to one return economy domestic airfare to and from Canberra.

Travel and accommodation expenses are paid only to those living outside the Canberra region. 

Contact

Di Pin Ouyang, Assistant Director, Asian Collections, National Library of Australiaasiastudygrants@nla.gov.au

Small Grants Program - Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) Giving

The small grants program assists Catholic organisations and others carrying out Catholic mission anywhere in Australia to respond to current and emerging needs in local communities. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support events or projects, and up to $10,000 to support small capital works initiatives with a clear community benefit.

Full program details, including selection criteria, is available on the Small Grants Program page, and applications are now open. You can also email us with any specific queries, or call directly on (02) 9779 6317. http://www.ccigiving.org.au/

The Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grants - The Ian Potter Cultural Trust

The Cultural Trust is committed to encouraging excellence and supporting a vibrant, world-class arts scene in Australia. The Cultural Trust offers grants up to $10,000 to assist emerging and early career artists of exceptional talent to take up professional development opportunities, usually overseas.

We support applicants who can demonstrate both initiative and exceptional talent, together with an ability to convert their ambitions to reality.

The Trust primarily provides support for structured professional development and networking opportunities overseas such as:

· Residencies or study tours which have a clear skills development focus

· Mentoring or private lessons

· Internships, workshops and conferences

· Postgraduate study with a focus on professional development and artistic practice.

Before you continue you must read the important information above. We also recommend you read the FAQs, Tips & Hints and download the sample application form. http://www.ianpotterculturaltrust.org.au/apply-for-a-grant/

Habitat Action - Large Grants and Small Grants - Department of Primary Industries (NSW)

Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for small grants of $2,000 or large grants of up to $40,000

Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) Grants - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/habitat/rehabilitating/ahr-grants-program

Strategic Opportunities Program - Screen NSW

The Strategic Opportunities Program supports individual initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry.

http://www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding/industry-support/strategic-opportunities-fund

Summer Scholarships - National Library of Australia

Applications for 2019 Summer Scholarships are now OPEN, and will CLOSE 30 September 2018.

Our annual summer scholarships support younger scholars and a scholar from rural or regional Australia undertaking postgraduate research, who require special access to the Library’s collections. 

https://www.nla.gov.au/awards-and-grants/fellowships-and-scholarships/summer-scholarships

Women Leaders in Sport Grants - Australian Sports Commission

The Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program is an Australian Government initiative that is managed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) in partnership with the Office for Women.

The objective of the WLIS program is to provide women with development opportunities to reach their leadership potential in the sports industry.

Since its inception in 2002, WLIS has supported over 24,000 women in sport for leadership development. WLIS has been highly regarded in the Australian sport community. Many notable women leaders in sport are previous recipients of WLIS.

WLIS in 2019 comprises of the following components:

1. Leadership Workshops for individuals and organisations

2. Development Grants for individuals and organisations, and

3. a targeted leadership development program for individuals.

https://ausport.gov.au/ais/grants_and_funding1/women

Community Sport Infrastructure - Australian Sports Commission – New Program

Supporting small to medium scale projects up to $500,000 to improve local community sport infrastructure which will support greater community participation in sport and physical activity and/or offer safer and more inclusive community sporting hubs.

Community sport infrastructure generates more than $16.2 billion worth of social, health and economic benefits each year, according to a landmark report.

Sport Australia, the Australian Government’s lead agency for sport and physical activity, has released The Value of Community Sport Infrastructure, a report produced in conjunction with KPMG and La Trobe University.

Successful grants will support projects such as:

· Upgrades to playing surfaces, including multi-sport upgrades and resurfacing that supports increased use;

· Building, expanding and/or upgrading change rooms, particularly for girls and women and officials’ areas;

· External entry/exit accessible amenities;

· Improved sports lighting and safety lighting, including installation of solar panels;

· Improvements to ground and court capacity that support increased use;

· Improvements to spectator amenities; and

· Internal/external amenity uplift.

· Grant open: 2 August 2018

· Grant close: 14 September 2018

https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/community_sport_infrastructure_grant_program

Local Sporting Champions (LSC) program - Australian Sports Commission

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions

Sporting Schools Program Grants - Australian Sports Commission – not open yet

Sporting Schools is a $200 million Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children's participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities.

Research shows that any early connection to sport can positively influence participation and encourage a lifelong love of sport.

The Sport Australia has partnered with more than 30 national sporting organisations to deliver sport before, during and after school hours.

Sporting Schools provides a program for primary schools and a targeted program for Year 7 and 8 students in secondary schools.

https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/sporting_schools

https://sportingschools.gov.au/about/secondary-schools

ANZ Seeds of RenewalOur featured grant this month is ANZ’s Seeds of Renewal Program. Administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), this program focuses on helping build vibrant and sustainable rural communities.

The program commits $250,000 distributed through grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations for projects that will help their community thrive. Projects must deliver medium- to long-term benefits to a regional Australian community of 15,000 people or less. Not-for profit, community-based organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate, including social enterprises, are eligible to apply.

Regional Cultural Fund - Create NSW

Round Two of the Regional Cultural Fund is now open for applications The round will offer applicants a share in $47 million in funding, including up to $5 million specifically for regional public library infrastructure projects, and support for the creation and installation of artist-led public art.

The application process has also been streamlined to be easier to complete.

Round Two invites applications from two funding categories:

· Projects with an estimated total cost of up to $250,000

· Projects with an estimated total cost of more than $250,000.

Applications for Round Two close at 12pm on Friday 21 September 2018.

How to apply

Applicants are required to read the Regional Cultural Fund Round Two Guidelines before applying.

Applicants should also read the Assessment Criteria before applying.

To apply for funding, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form through the Create NSW secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.

Make sure you’re registered with SmartyGrants here.

Projects with an estimated total cost of up to $250,000 should:

· Fill out the SmartyGrants application form

· Download and complete a Project Plan Template

· Include their supporting documents

Projects with an estimated total cost of more than $250,000 should:

· Fill out the SmartyGrants application form

· Download and complete a Business Case Template

· Include their supporting documents

· Projects with an estimated total cost of more than $5 million should also provide a Treasury Compliant Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) – see more information here.

Eligibility

To be eligible, projects must meet the following conditions:

· the infrastructure must be based in NSW and be primarily for arts and culture use.

· the application must demonstrate a co-contribution from non-Regional Cultural Fund sources. This may be in the form of cash or in-kind support.

· the application must show evidence of community consultation and how the project will improve arts, screen, cultural or heritage outcomes for communities.

· local projects should commence within 24 months, and ideally be completed within three years of funding approval.

· where possible, projects should support local procurement, job creation and skills development.

Further information and support

All applicants are advised to read the Regional Cultural Fund Round Two Guidelines including the eligibility and assessment criteria information. In addition to these guidelines, we have three explanatory videos that will take you through everything to help you get your best application in.

https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/regional-cultural-fund/regional-cultural-fund-2/

Community Resilience Innovation Program 

The Community Resilience Innovation Program (CRIP) is a scheme under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program, funded by the New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments through the National Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience.

The CRIP supports a broad range of community-led projects designed to increase all-hazard disaster preparedness and build community capacity and resilience. CRIP projects are based on collaboration and partnership between local community organisations and emergency services agencies.

CRIP aims to:

· Foster ways to effectively engage the local community in creative, community focused activities that build local capacity and capability for disaster resilience 

· Develop effective partnerships and build networks between local community organisations, councils, businesses and emergency services agencies

· Share knowledge and lessons learnt about approaches and models through project evaluation

· Support initiatives that can be integrated into current business and maintained in the longer term

Projects supported through the CRIP are designed to respond to the specific needs and characteristics of the local community. Projects may involve the entire community or be tailored to the needs of particular groups, such as people identified as more vulnerable to disaster events.

A focus of CRIP is capturing lessons learned about new ways of working, what works and what could be done differently, so that successful projects can be replicated in other communities. For this reason project evaluation must be built into the project.

Projects should be completed within 12 months. Where there is a strong case, projects needing up to 2 years to complete can be considered.

CRIP has a limited budget and not all applications can be funded.

NSW State Level Emergency Risk Assessment 

CRIP is consistent with the recently launched NSW State Level Emergency Risk Assessment which has identified 10 priorities, including ‘coordinated approach to community engagement for emergency risks’.

National Strategy for Disaster Resilience Community Engagement Framework

The National Strategy for Disaster Resilience Community Engagement Framework provides guidance to those working in emergency management. Applicants should use the Framework as a basis for designing community engagement strategies for their project.

National Strategy for Disaster Resilience Community Engagement Framework [PDF 762KB]

Who can apply:

· Non-government organisations including not-for-profit organisations and local community groups

· Local councils

· Government agencies with emergency management responsibilities.

Unincorporated groups may apply through the auspice of a legally established body or if a local unit of an emergency service, the parent agency.

Applications from non-government organisations who do NOT have emergency management responsibilities and are NOT partnering with a government agency with emergency management responsibilities must complete Section 1 of the CRIP Endorsement Form, available on the online CRIP Application Form, through enQuire.

ApplicationsOffice of Emergency Management - Grants Applicant Portal

Further AssistanceFull details of the Natural Disaster Resilience Program are available on the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department website.

For details of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, NSW State Level Emergency Risk Assessment, National Strategy for Disaster Resilience Community Engagement Framework, and Get Ready go to the Emergency NSW website.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Emergency Management on (02) 9212 9241 or crip@mpes.nsw.gov.au

Department of Justice Office of Emergency Management GPO Box 5434, Sydney, NSW 2001

https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/emergency-management/Funding-Programs/community-resilience/Community-Resilience-Innovation-Program.aspx

Grants available with links to information:

· Science Engagement and International Competitions - Department of Industry, Innovation and Science - https://www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Inspiring-Australia-Science-Engagement/Student-Sponsorship

· HP Kids Fund – HP - https://kidsfund.thehphub.com/

· Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation Collaboration - National Breast Cancer Foundation - https://ocrf.com.au/the-ocrf-is-shining-a-light-on-ovarian-cancer/

· Catalyst Fund - Roddenberry Foundation - http://roddenberryfoundation.org/our-work/the-catalyst-fund/

· Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing - Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) - https://www.copyright.com.au/culturalfund/fellowship/

· Women's Leadership Development Scholarships - Women & Leadership Australia - https://www.wla.edu.au/funding.html

· Regional and Small Publishers Cadetship Program - Department of Communications and the Arts - https://www.communications.gov.au/documents/regional-and-small-publishers-cadetship-program-0

· Regional Partnerships - Create NSW - https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-development-program/regional-partnerships/

· Narrative Therapy Research and Development Award - Australian Psychological Society (APS) - https://www.psychology.org.au/About-Us/What-we-do/Awards-and-scholarships/ig/Narrative-Theory-Practice-Psychology-award/Narrative-Therapy-Research-and-Development-Award

· Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund (ARAF) - Create NSW – https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-development-program/aboriginal-regional-arts-fund-2/

· Biomedical Translation Bridge - Department of Health - https://beta.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/biomedical-translation-bridge

· Creative Koori - Aboriginal Artist Support (Quick Response) - Create NSW - https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/arts-and-cultural-development-program/aboriginal-quick-response/

· Landing Pads program for Start-ups - Austrade , Australia Unlimited - https://www.australiaunlimited.com/landing-pads

· Foundation for Children Grants - Foundation for Children - http://www.foundationforchildren.com.au/apply-for-a-grant.html

· Virtual Reality Cancer Research Project - Sony Foundation, Tour de Cure - https://tourdecure.com.au/our-impact/sony-foundation-vr-cancer-program/

· NSW Women of the Year Awards - Women NSW - https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/women_of_the_year_awards

· Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups - Australia Council - http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/funding-index/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups/

· Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship - Royal Agriculture Society of NSW - http://www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/sydney-royal-wine-assessment-scholarship/

· NSW/ACT Young Achiever Awards - Awards Australia - https://awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/nsw

· Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support - Department of Communications and the Arts - https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/indigenous-visual-arts-industry-support-program

· Boosting Business Events Bid Fund Program - Tourism Australia -http://businessevents.australia.com/content/dam/assets/document/1/7/0/r/n/2007203.pdf https://tourismaustralia.smartygrants.com.au/BFP1

Ongoing Grants:

· Aboriginal Benefits Foundation Grants

· Artist Support Quick Response Funding

· Australian Communities Foundation Funding – Support for charitable organisations

· Automotive Transformation Scheme

· Awesome Foundation Grant

· Before and After School Care Fund

· Biomedical Translation Fund

· Black Spot Program

· Boosting Business Events Bid Fund Program

· Building Partnerships grant

· Business Growth Grant

· Capacity Building Funding for native Title Corporations

· Child Care Rebate

· Community Benefit Card

· Community Broadcasting Foundation Emergency Grants

· Community Commemorative Grants

· Community Led grants

· Continence Aids Payment Scheme

· #ContagionOfLove community micro-grants

· CSIRO Kick-Start Funding

· Doing Good Grants

· Early Development (Screen)

· Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships

· Easy Grants

· Education Small Grants Program

· Emergency grants

· Entrepeneurs’ Programme – Innovation Connections Grant

· Entrepreneur’s Programme – Accelerating Commercialisation

· Facility Loan Scheme

· Farm Innovation Fund

· Festival Travel

· Funding for charitable organisations

· Google Ad Grants for Non-Profits

· Google Ad Grants for Non-Profits

· Grants for rural and regional students

· Heritage Near Me Incentive program – Local Heritage Strategic Projects

· IGA Community Chest

· Ignitor Fund – Supporting Social Enterprise Changemakers

· Incubator Support – Expert-in-Residence

· Incubator Support#New and Existing Incubators

· Indigenous Travel Grants

· Inger Rice Foundation Grants

· Innovation Connections

· Jobs Action Plan

· Linkage Projects – Promoting national and international collaborative research partnerships

· Loan Facilities

· Local Sporting Champions

· Local Sporting Champions program

· Managing Farm Risk Program

· Matana Foundation for Young People Funding

· Minimum Viable Product Grants

· Misk Grand Challenges

· NSW Enterprice Incentive Scheme

· Performers Trust Foundation

· Performers’ Trust Foundation

· Poverty & Disadvantage Small Grants

· Production Attraction Incentives

· Quick Response Aboriginal Artist Funding

· Regional Arts Fund – Quick Response Fund

· Regional Filming Fund

· Regional Jobs and Investment Packages

· Regional Tourism Product Development Program

· Rehabilitation Appliance Program

· Saluting Their Service Community Commemorative Grants

· Small & Quick Response Grants Program

· Small Business Grant

· Small Business Rebate

· Social Enterprise Development and Investment Funds

· Space Concession

· Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions

· State Development Loan

· STEM+ Business Fellowship Program

· Strategic Opportunities Program – Screen NSW

· Sunsuper’s Dreams for a Better World Program

· Sustainable energy in not-for-Profits Program

· Tailored Assistance Indigenous Employment Grants

· Tapping In-Student Start-Up Grant

· TechVouchers Program

· Telstra Business Women’s Awards

· Textile, Clothing & Footwear Corporatewear Scheme

· The ClubGrants Scheme

· The ClubGRANTS Scheme

· The Pearcey Foundation – National Awards

· The Walter and Eliza Hall Trust

· The Walter and Eliza Hall Trust

· Thriving people and places grants

· Time Critical Shooting Program (Screen)

· TRADEX Scheme

· Transition to Independent Living Allowance

· UCF Small Grants

· Venture Capital Limited Partnerships

· Veteran and Community Grants

· Victims Support Scheme

· Youth Jobs PaTH

· Fixing Country Roads

Media Releases:

Information on pages 19 and 20 -

ATTENTION ARTS AND CULTURE GROUPS: FUNDING UP FOR GRABS

Local Member for Goulburn Pru Goward MP today urged arts and culture organisations in Goulburn to get applications in to secure their share of a new $47 million round of funding as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund (RCF).

Ms Goward said applications from Council, as well as arts, screen and culture organisations are being invited from 1 July, and will close on 21 September 2018.

“This is a fund which has the potential to totally transform the arts and culture scene not only in the region but across the entirety of regional NSW,” Ms Goward said.

“This $47 million funding pool comes on top of the $48 million which was already allocated to three projects in the electorate as part of round one of the fund.

“As part of round one, Goulburn saw projects like Berrima Museum and both the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium and Goulburn Performing Arts Centre secure over $5.6 million in funding to improve and establish their facilities.

“Now, as part of round two, with an additional $47 million available for regional areas, we have a further chance to secure even more financial support for our electorate’s arts and culture sector,” she said.

Ms Goward said as part of round two, up to $5 million would also be dedicated to the revitalisation and creation of public library spaces as a priority, helping to extend community access to library services.

“Public libraries are vital resources that support community engagement and education, especially children’s literacy,” Ms Goward said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said due to popular demand funding will also be available from the $47 million to support permanent, artist-led public art projects, including sculptures, murals and street art.

“We have heard your feedback and agree, local artist-led public art projects foster community identity, pride and engagement,” Mr Barilaro said.

Mr Barilaro said on top of public art, the second round of funding was available for infrastructure and redevelopment projects including major new exhibition and performing arts spaces, the refurbishment of theatres and museums as well as smaller, grass-roots community projects.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said in addition to the $47 million available for community projects in round two, the NSW Government is funding a digitisation project under the Regional Cultural Fund to preserve cultural collections from regional NSW.

“Arts, screen and culture is at the heart of every regional community. The success of our recent first round of funding shows the Government’s commitment to driving growth in arts, screen, culture and heritage in regional NSW is making a difference. I am confident that the second round will go even further to show this.”

Aspiring applicants in Goulburn can review guidelines for applying for funding at the Create NSW web page www.nsw.gov.au/regionalculturalfund . Email enquiries can go to regional@arts.nsw.gov.au.

The $100m Regional Cultural Fund is a vital piece of the broader $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund which the NSW Government announced last year.

MEDIA: Electorate Office 4822 6444

3 August 2018

REGIONAL DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM OPENS FOR GOULBURN

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward today announced the NSW Government is seeking Expressions of Interest from companies or internet service providers that have the potential to deliver better connectivity solutions for local businesses and households in regional NSW.

Ms Goward said the NSW Government’s new Regional Digital Connectivity Program is designed to provide tailored solutions to local connectivity issues being experienced by people living in Goulburn, and other rural and remote parts of the state.

“The program will be open to businesses and internet service providers to submit proposals that will improve connectivity and deliver faster and more reliable digital services for regional households and businesses,” Ms Goward said.

“This is all about giving smaller organisations the chance to submit great ideas that have the capacity to connect areas that would not otherwise have internet or phone coverage.

“From providing improved online learning for school kids, to platforms for regional exporters to manage global orders, we recognise there are opportunities to use existing government assets and install new infrastructure to deliver more consistent, local high-speed internet services.

“It’s a fantastic chance to ensure businesses, community groups and the people of Goulburn electorate get the digital connectivity services they need and they deserve,” Ms Goward said.

Community members will also be invited to submit ideas and report challenges with mobile coverage or internet connectivity in their area by phoning 1300 679 673 or visiting the Connecting Country Communities web page by 15 August 2018.

The government is seeking EOIs that address issues for both voice or data connectivity.

The funding for the Regional Digital Connectivity Program will come from the $50 million Connecting Country Communities Fund, which is part of the broader $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund. The $500 million Growing Local Economies Fund also provides funding for connectivity projects that deliver economic growth and benefits for businesses and residents of regional NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Regional Digital Connectivity Program complements the NSW Government’s $39 million investment in the highly successful Mobile Black Spots Program, which has delivered more than 100 new or upgraded mobile towers or base stations across regional NSW, with more to be delivered before the end of this year.

“The NSW Government knows the value and importance of connectivity in regional areas,” Mr Barilaro said.

“As someone who spends a lot of time travelling this vast state, I know how frustrating poor connectivity and mobile coverage can be, not only for residents, but the businesses who rely heavily on it.

“We are already rolling out the first layer of connectivity infrastructure with a huge number of tower upgrades in priority regional locations, but we know there is a lot more we can do – and the big telcos aren’t necessarily always the ones who have the solutions.

“This is the next phase in the $50 million Connecting Country Communities Fund and we want to ensure we do this properly, getting money to the right projects as a priority.”

For more information about the Expressions of Interest process or to submit details of connectivity challenges, visit the website.

The Connecting Country Communities Fund was launched in 2017 as part of the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.

MEDIA: Electorate Office 4822 6444

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