Commonwealth Government's Caring for our Country Open Grants
What are the Open Grants?
Up to $25 million is available through the Commonwealth Government's Caring for our Country Open Grants program, as part of the transitional year to Caring for our Country from previous NRM and environment programs.
What's being funded?
Applications are being sought for projects/programs that:
- can deliver measurable outcomes in at least one of the Commonwealth Government's Caring for our Country national priority areas for 2008-09, in particular:
- biodiversity and natural icons
- coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats
- sustainable farm practices.
- are seeking funds between $80 000 and $400 000 (GST exclusive)
- demonstrate an integration of approaches to issues
- show a partnership, such as regional groups, community, industry, government and non-government organisations working together
- can be completed by 20 June 2009 (although projects that can be completed within 12 months will be considered).
Projects can still apply for funding even if submissions have already been made under another Caring for our Country element, e.g. Community Coastcare, National Reserve System, Working on Country.
Future opportunities for funding to contribute to the priority outcomes will be included in the Commonwealth Government's annual Caring for our Country business plan 2009-10.
What's not being funded?
- Projects that devolve funds to others.
- Research and development projects that don't address specific Caring for our Country priority areas.
- Projects that duplicate work undertaken within the same region(s) by other organisations.
- Projects by applicants/sponsors who have overdue final reports/acquittals for previous Commonwealth Government Natural Heritage Trust or National Action Plan for Salinity and Water funding, including the Envirofund, Coastal Catchments Initiative, and Defeating the Weeds Menace programs.
When do applications close?
The 2008-09 funding round closed on Friday 1 August 2008.
Opportunities for Queensland
Queensland regional NRM stakeholders have the resources and experience in projects/programs that address the Commonwealth Government's national priorities.
Work is currently being undertaken, or has potential to be done, which addresses the national priority areas. Examples of project types include:
- Biodiversity and natural icons: decreasing the impact of a nationally significant weed or invasive species on a key asset (e.g. Weeds of National Significance)
- Critical aquatic habitats: collaboration of industry, community and land holders to implement management practices across a region (e.g. Reef Water Quality Protection Plan; Queensland Wetlands Program)
- Sustainable farm practices: projects that enhance industry understanding of the impacts of their activities on natural resources (e.g. Sustainable Agriculture program; Blueprint for the Bush projects).
Any future funding opportunities?
Open Grants funding provides an opportunity to get long-term projects started and can position projects, programs, and Queensland for future funding.
Future opportunities for funding to contribute to the project outcomes will be included in the Commonwealth Government's annual Caring for our Country business plan 2009-10.
For more information contact the Australian Government on free call 1800 065 823.
Last updated 22 December 2008