Emerging Priorities Program (EPP)

The continuing impacts of COVID-19 on schools and students, including through prolonged lockdowns and broader disruption, have been immensely challenging throughout 2020 and 2021. The 2022 school year will see a continuation of the return to face-to-face learning and a renewed focus on supporting students and school communities.

Acknowledging these impacts, the Australian Government is bringing forward all remaining funding in the EPP to the 2021–22 financial year, enabling up to $11.2 million (GST exclusive) in funding to be available for projects that meet the objective and outcomes of the EPP.

The intended outcomes of this grant opportunity are:

• improved educational outcomes for school students
• improved engagement of school students and their families with school education
• improved wellbeing of school leaders, teachers, and school students.

Examples of emerging priorities include:

• targeted educational support for students, including responding to the impacts of COVID-19
• mental health and wellbeing support for students, teachers, and school leaders, including responding to the impacts of COVID-19
• support for disengaged students to improve educational outcomes
• support for school attendance and completion
• support for career development of students, including to explore pathways for post-school destinations
• research and analysis to address the impacts of unexpected events, including COVID 19, on educational outcomes for students.