Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural, Leadership and Scholarship grants now open


Released 16/11/2018

Applications open today for the 2018-19 ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural, Leadership and Scholarship Grants Programs.

A total of $215,000 is available to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT to undertake study, leadership training and to celebrate and share their cultures.

These grants rounds have previously assisted community members in studying courses from Certificate IV up to Masters Degrees, attending conferences and study tours and providing cultural education to the wider community.

A number of changes to the 2018-19 Grants Program will make the grants more accessible and successful in their aims.

The changes to the Leadership and Scholarship grants are a result of feedback from past grant recipients and community discussions, and will mean:

  • The grants are open all year until grant funds are allocated up to the end of financial year;
  • The assessment panel will convene monthly to assess applications; and
  • Grant recipients can apply for grants in successive years.

Funds totalling $160,000 will be available for the Leadership and Scholarship grant programs.

The Leadership program assists recipients to equip themselves with the skills they need to be leaders in their careers and on behalf of their communities, while the Scholarship program provides assistance for fees, a range of equipment and other support to undertake courses from Certificate IV to university degrees.

Changes to the Cultural Grants mean they will now be available in grants rounds opening some months prior to culturally significant events in the year such as Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and National Close the Gap Day.

Funding of $55,000 under the Cultural Grants program is available to assist in a program or event that will promote wider understanding of the cultures of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT.

Leadership and Scholarship grants are available to ACT and Canberra region Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals and organisations. Grant funds must be used for the benefit of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Applications for all three grant types opened today and applications for the current round of cultural grants will close on Friday 4 January 2019. To get more information or to apply, visit http://www.strongfamilies.act.gov.au

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

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