News & Views item

News & Views item - January 2012

Inspiring Australia Makes $5 Million Available for Unlocking Australia's Potential. (January 17, 2012)

Grants from $5,000 to $500,000 are to be made available for this competitive grant round which "will be open to support the broader Inspiring Australia strategy, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the guidelines".

Additional information is available is available from:

T (02) 6270 2803
F (02) 6270 2808
inspiring.australia@innovation.gov.au
www.innovation.gov.au/InspiringAustralia



A scientifically engaged Australia will be wiser, healthier, more sustainable and more competitive. Since the Inspiring Australia report was released in February 2010, the Inspiring Australia strategy has been further developed through Expert Working Groups and the implementation of a National Framework - Local Action structure for science engagement throughout 2010 and 2011. Australian Government funding towards the Inspiring Australia strategy was announced in May 2011. The Inspiring Australia Unlocking Australia’s Potential competitive grant round is opening! 16 January – 29 February 2012
To support the outcomes and principles of the Inspiring Australia strategy and to help work towards a scientifically engaged Australia… …download and read the guidelines for this grant round, develop an innovative science engagement project and apply online by 29 February 2012!	The grants are titled Unlocking Australia’s Potential because a core element of the round will target people who may not have had interest in or access to science engagement activities in the past. However it is important to note that this competitive grant round will be open to support the broader Inspiring Australia strategy, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the guidelines.
A total of $5 million is available across three levels of grant categories for projects to be delivered in 2012 and/or 2013 and/or 2014. It is intended that the collection of projects approved for funding will provide a comprehensive mix of activities with a variety of delivery approaches, target audiences, geographic locations and science topics. This grant round aims to provide a strengthened, cohesive and sustainable national program of activities. Applications are requested in the following categories: Small Grants – up to $5000 (GST exclusive) over the duration of the project – typically to individuals or small organisations for delivering innovative science engagement activities. Medium Grants – up to $45 000 (GST exclusive) over three years – to organisations for delivering high impact science engagement projects at a regional or national level. Large Grants – up to $500 000 (GST exclusive) over three years – to organisations, in partnership with other organisations, for delivering high impact and nationally significant science engagement projects. This is a competitive grant round assessed by an independent grant selection committee. It is planned to announce successful projects by May 2012. Applications must be submitted online between 16 January 2012 and 29 February (4:00pm AEDT) 2012. For more information including the program guidelines and how to apply, please visit www.innovation.gov.au/InspiringAustralia. Sign up to the newsletter to receive ongoing updates about the Inspiring Australia strategy and this grant round. Please share this information with your networks and associates – unlocking Australia’s potential through science engagement will require contributions and collaboration across many sectors of our nation so we look forward to project proposals from a broad range of individuals and organisations.
For further information: T (02) 6270 2803 F (02) 6270 2808 inspiring.australia@innovation.gov.au www.innovation.gov.au/InspiringAustralia