10 tips for completing your NAIDOC local grant funding application

Funding is available under the IAS Culture and Capability Programme to help communities to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2020.

The NAIDOC local grant funding round is now open and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (the Agency) invites eligible applicants to apply.

The NAIDOC grant funding round aims to support activities being held during NAIDOC Week 2020 (8-15 November) that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and continuing contributions to our country and society.

Consider these 10 tips to help you in putting together your application.

1. Think creatively about what you can apply for

Now is a great time to think about the types of activities you may run and how these activities can be adapted to meet government guidance aimed at reducing the risks associated with COVID-19, including requirements for social distancing.

Covid safe activities might include:

• Craft kits with material to create collages, colouring in, or do weaving
• Online exhibitions
• Online dance classes
• Create videos to share culture and stories
• Language class – teach acknowledgment of country
• Book club – Compile a NAIDOC Book list – send books out
• Movie / discussion group
• Community cooking classes via video lessons
• Hold outdoor drive-in, movie under the starts or band

With careful planning, the following types of activities may be funded:

• Arts based activities, including painting, dancing, crafts, storytelling
• Family fun days
• Cultural activities
• Elders’ activities
• Bush tucker and other community cooking activities
• NAIDOC themed sporting activities or competitions
• Activities that actively promote reconciliation
• Flag raising ceremonies with accompanying activities
• Activities that promote health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Project activities are expected to occur during NAIDOC Week (8-15 November 2020). However, if this is not possible, contact NAIDOCgrants@niaa.gov.au or your Regional Office to discuss options.

2. Do your research

Before you start your application, you should read the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and FAQ available on GrantConnect. These documents will provide you with all of the information and guidance you need to apply for NAIDOC Local grant funding.

Also check out the NAIDOC Website, which has information about the history of NAIDOC Week, more about the theme, and a copy of the winning NAIDOC Week poster that could give you ideas for your event.  

Note, you will need to register on GrantConnect to access these documents and apply for funding. 

3. Get your application in on time

The current funding round opened on Friday, 17 July and closes on Monday, 17 August 2020 at 7.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Keep in mind that it’s best to prepare early and have your application ready to submit before the closing date and time. If your application is received past the closing date, the Agency may not accept it. In considering whether it will accept a late application, the Agency will take into account the degree of lateness, whether the cause of the lateness was beyond the applicant's control and other facts it considers relevant. The Agency may also ask the applicant to provide evidence to support its claims.

4. How much you can apply for

While there are no maximum or minimum amounts that you can apply for under this grant round, the vast majority of grants in previous years have been for amounts between $200 and $5,000, with a small number of larger grants awarded for significant proposals.

5. Who can apply?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous legal entities may access NAIDOC funding. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the IAS Grant Guidelines and the Application Form. Applications for funding will only be accepted from legal entities.

In general, commonwealth and state and territory agencies and bodies (including government business enterprises) are not eligible to apply for NAIDOC grant funding. However, schools and correctional facilities are eligible. Commonwealth and state and territory agencies and bodies may apply on behalf of a school or correctional facility.

6. Can I apply for funding for multiple activities?

Yes, however all activities should be included on the one application. Each applicant must submit one Application Form for all NAIDOC activities they seek funding for.  Each activity should be budgeted separately. For example, a Family Fun Day would be counted as one activity. However, a Family Fun Day, an Elder’s Luncheon, a Street March and a Children’s Disco would be counted as four activities.

7. Think about your selection criteria

To be compliant (and therefore eligible), you must address all criteria in your application. We will assess your application against each criterion. All criteria are of equal weighting.

We will also refer applications to our regional office, for advice on proposed activities in their region.

The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your application should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested. 

8. You should align your proposal with the 2020 NAIDOC theme

Applicants are strongly encouraged to align their project with the NAIDOC theme. The National NAIDOC Theme for 2020 is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’.

The theme aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song. More information on the theme is available on the NAIDOC website.

9. How we assess your application

We first assess your application against the eligibility criteria. If your application meets the eligibility criteria then it will proceed to the assessment stage where we consider the information provided in the Application Form, including your responses to the selection criteria.

In order to support a spread of projects across Australia, your application will be assessed against other applications from your NIAA region.

10. Where you can find further information

For more information on the grant round, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and the FAQ, go to the GrantConnect Website or www.niaa.gov.au/NAIDOC.

If you’ve got any further questions, you can contact the Agency by email at NAIDOCgrants@niaa.gov.au or phone your local Regional Office on 1800 079 098.

And don’t forget the closing date - 17 August 2020 at 7.00pm  AEST.

Note: You will need to submit an online application whether or not you submitted an application for the 2020 NAIDOC Local Grants Round that opened in February 2020 but was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you did submit an online application in the earlier funding round, you will be sent a copy of your grant application so you can refer to it in preparing your new application.