Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities - March 2018

Welcome to our new Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter where you will find details of selected grant submissions from around the region for Business and Infrastructure projects.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we will now send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs, rather than the one combined newsletter. 

We wish you all the best with the Funding Opportunities below and if you are looking for a grant between newsletters, have a look at the grants area of our website which is updated weekly: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/grants-and-funding-opportunities.php

If you need some facts and figures for your applications, a range of data for our region is also available on our website here: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/regional-data.php

Featured Grants

Stronger Country Communities Fund
Closes: 5pm AEST, Friday 4 May 2018
Value: From $50,000
Run By: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is investing in infrastructure projects in regional NSW communities to improve the lives of residents and enhance the attractiveness of these areas as vibrant places to live and work.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is available to all 92 regional local government areas, Lord Howe Island and the Unincorporated Far West. Regional local councils are those outside Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Organisations interested in putting forward a project are encouraged to read all the program details and approach their local council early in the application period.

Individual project applications must seek a minimum of $50,000. Applications seeking between $50,000 and $1 million can be for the entire project cost as a grant. Projects requiring grant funding of over $1 million will only be considered where there is a minimum financial co-contribution towards the project of 25 per cent of the total grant amount. The financial co-contribution to the project can be from council or other funding sources, but must be confirmed.

There is $200 million available in Round Two for local amenity and sporting infrastructure projects. Each eligible council will have a specified allocation of funding committed to projects in their area. $100 million is for general community amenity and $100 million is for local sport infrastructure projects.

Councils will be sent a letter from the department informing them of their total Round Two funding allocation. The total Round Two amount available to each council will effectively be double their Round One allocation, plus or minus the amount that was committed to in Round One.

Regional Tourism Product Development Program
Closes: 30 June 2019
Value: $15,000 to $150,000
Run By: Destination NSW

The Regional Tourism Product Development Program offers between $15,000 and $150,000 for eligible projects that satisfactorily meet the assessment criteria. The funding must be, at least, matched dollar-for-dollar.

Proposals can be submitted by local government, tourism and sector organisations, including Destination Networks, and industry (GST registered), located or representing industry within the six new Destination Networks.

Regional Tourism Product Development is available for:

1. New accommodation projects that increase capacity for the region where there is a demonstrate need i.e. the project aligns with at least one of the following:

• The proposed project aligns with the DMP
• The proposed project addresses a shortfall of a specific type of accommodation in the destination, such as a lack of family cabins or double rooms
• The proposed project will facilitate additional accommodation capacity during events and peak periods (where it can be demonstrated that the location is already at capacity during thes times)

2. Infrastructure projects that can clearly demonstrate that they will drive increased overnight visitation to the region and align with needs identified in the relevant DMP.

3. Visitor signposting (only when led by a council / tourism sector organisation to improve overall visitor experience and highlighting tourist activities and sector related experiences). Note: This does not include road signs

4. Itinerary / Tour Development

5. New attractions and experiences

Closing in March

Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants

Closing date: 3pm 26th of March 2018
Value: $5,000 to $100,000
Run By: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The Restoration and Rehabilitation grants program seeks to assist community and government organisations to contribute to the ongoing sustainable management and stewardship of significant environmental assets and services in NSW.

Floodplain Management Grants
Closing date: 28th of March 2018
Value: Unspecified
Run By: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The NSW Government's floodplain management grants support local government to manage flood risk.The funding for these projects comes from 2 programs, the NSW Floodplain Management Program and the Floodplain Grants Scheme.

Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)
Closes: 28th of March 2018
Value: $5,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) was established by the Australian Government in 2001 to enhance Australia’s economic, political and social relations with Latin America.

Australia-China Council (ACC) Grant
Closes: 2pm AEDT 28th March 2018
Value: Up to $40,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Australia-China Council (ACC) is the Australian Government’s advisory and funding body dedicated to strengthening of cultural, education, business, and more broadly, people-to-people relations between Australia and China.

Australia-India Council Grants
Closes: 2 pm (AEST) 29 March 2018
Value: Up to $150,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The objectives of these programs are to promote people‐to-people links and a contemporary and positive image of Australia and support for the Australian Government’s international policy goals

Closing in April

Australia-Korea Foundation Grant
Closes: 3rd of April 2018
Value: $5,000 to $40,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) seeks to strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship in ways that enhance mutual understanding and people-to-people links.

Australia-ASEAN Council Grants
Closes: 5pm (AEST) on Wednesday 4 April 2018
Value: $10,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeAustralia-ASEAN Council (AAC) grants generate opportunities for Australian business, education, science and innovation and the arts to work with partners in Southeast Asia.

Australia-Japan Foundation Grant
Closes: 6th of April 2018
Value: $5,000 to $50,000
Run By: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Australia-Japan Foundation seeks to advance Australia’s engagement with Japan by supporting people-to-people linkages; amplifying and shifting perceptions of Australia in Japan to reflect contemporary Australia; and facilitating the promotion of the inventive, innovative capabilities that Australia brings to Australia-Japan collaborations across broad and ever sophisticated sectors.

Businesses of Tomorrow
Closes: 8th of April 2018
Value: In-kind mentoring and assistance, Study tour to USA, $50,000 of professional services
Run By: Westpac
Businesses of Tomorrow is a program designed to reward and recognise businesses with the drive to shape Australia’s future.

Business Partnerships Platform - India Window
Closing date: 12th of April 2018
Value: $250,000 to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) India Window has been opened to help identify and support scalable shared value partnerships that will contribute to India's economic growth agenda whilst addressing development challenges.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Ian Potter Foundation Conference Grants
Opens: Next round opens 26th of March 2018
Closes: Next round closes 5th of June 2018
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: The Ian Potter Foundation
The Conference program assists organisations to bring keynote speakers of international renown to Australia. The speakers impart their knowledge and expertise to conference delegates in Australia to inspire new thinking and foster learning.

Farming Together Program
Program Closes: 30th of June 2018
Value: In Kind Assisance and online training materials
Run By: Farming Co-operatives and Collaboratives Pilot Program
Farming Together provides free expert support in areas as diverse as digital marketing, financial planning, provenance building and food technology. They have more than 200 proven ag-consultants who can help you get export-ready, check supply contracts, form a co-op, launch a website, research transport options, develop blockchain or devise a marketing campaign.

Supplier Improvement Plan
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Tailored advice to create a Supplier Improvement Plan
Run By: Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
A Supplier Improvement Plan will give you: access to, and active engagement with, a highly qualified and experienced Business Adviser or Business Facilitator over 12 months; independent guidance and insight about your customer’s needs and requirements; a customised action plan with recommendations for improvement; and assistance to implement the recommendations in your action plan.

Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
ARENA’s Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund Program fosters skills and management capability. It encourages investment in innovative Australian renewable energy companies to strengthen their chance of success.

Advancing Renewables Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
ARENA’s Advancing Renewables Program supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses.

Clean Energy Innovation Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Clean Energy Finance Corp
The Innovation Fund targets technologies and businesses that have passed beyond the research and development stage, and which can benefit from early stage seed or growth capital to help them progress to the next stage of their development.

Murray Darling Basin - Regional Business Accelorator Program
Closing date: Unknown
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
The objective of the program is to help enterprises in the NSW Murray Darling Basin region to increase their sales and create new jobs. The program recognises innovation in marketing and adoption of new technology as key enablers of regional business growth. Contact the Department's Office of Regional Development in Tamworth on 02 6766 1360 or ORDTamworth@dpc.nsw.gov.au to apply.

Black Spot Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Department of Infrastuructre and Regional Development
By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the programme reduces the risk of road crashes.

Community Broadcasting Foundation Emergency Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Community Broadcasting Foundation
Funds are available to assist community stations to replace damaged or destroyed essential equipment and related immediate expenses in order to restore basic transmission following an unforeseen event.

Infrastructure Grants
Closes: Various dates throughout the year
Value: $10,000 to $300,000 Based on project category
Run By: NSW Department of Industry, Liquor and Gaming
Liquor & Gaming NSW offers grants to communities across NSW to support the building, renovation and fitout of infrastructure. Funding is available for sport and recreation, arts and cultural infrastructure, and projects that enhance facilities used to shelter communities and provide emergency services.

Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government
The Programme aims to improve the capabilities of small to medium enterprises to become more competitive and grow. The Programme is now accepting applications for Business Evaluations, and Business Growth Grants under the Business Management stream.

Jobs for NSW
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: NSW Department of Industry
Jobs for NSW is a private sector-led and NSW Government-backed initiative which aims to make the NSW economy as competitive as possible and therefore help create new jobs across the State.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
Closing date: Ongoing
Value: Income Assistance and Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Employment
NEIS is a program delivered by a network of 21 providers who provide individualised help for job seekers to become self-employed business owners.

New Air Combat Capability - Industry Support Program (NACC-ISP)
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Matched up to $1 million
Run By: The Departments of Defence and Industry, Innovaiton and Science
Provides Australian businesses and research organisations with matched funding of up to $1 million for Projects to help them enter export markets, secure domestic contracts and upskill their staff so they can win work with the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program.

Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program
Closes: Funding will be available from 2 November 2015 until 30 June 2020
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Rural Assistance Authority
As part of the NSW Government's Drought Strategy, a Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program has been developed to support farm business in all conditions, but particularly in relation to preparing for and responding to drought.

Indigenous Business Australia
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Financial support and advice
Run By: Indigenous Business Australia
IBA assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access the skills, knowledge and resources required to start and grow viable and sustainable businesses.

Innovation Connections
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: AusIndustry
Provides small and medium sized businesses with access to expert technology advice to address technology and knowledge gaps, and collaborate with the research sector in developing new ideas with commercial potential.

Farm Household Allowance
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: AusIndustry
Provides small and medium sized businesses with access to expert technology advice to address technology and knowledge gaps, and collaborate with the research sector in developing new ideas with commercial potential. Support includes up to $50,000 in matched funding to work on collaborative projects.

Arts and Cultural Development Program
Closes: Applications close on various dates
Valuation: Dependant on program chosen
Run By: NSW Goverment Create NSW
Create NSW offers direct funding to organisations, artists, practitioners and arts and cultural workers through the Arts and Cultural Development Program (ACDP).

TechVouchers
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Partnership creation and up to $15,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry
Innovate NSW TechVouchers (TV) assists technology SMEs to collaborate with a NSW research organisation to overcome a technical challenge or test a new technology.

Incubator Support - Expert-In-Residence
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: $5,000 to $100,000
Run By: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’
Provides business incubators with grants to access top quality research, managerial and technical talent through incoming and outgoing secondments of national or international experts.

Tradex Scheme
Closes:Ongoing
Value: Varies based on the the goods imported
Run By: The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
The Tradex Scheme provides an upfront exemption from Customs duty and GST for eligible goods imported to Australia that are then exported within one year or other approved period.

Regional Tourism Product Development Program
Closes: 30 June 2019
Value: $15,000 to $150,000
Run By: Destination NSW
Regional Tourism Product Development funding is available for new accommodation projects, infrastructure projects, visitor signposting and new attractions and experiences.

Regional Cooperative Tourism Marketing Program
Closes: 30 June 2019
Value:  $100,000 to $500,000
Run By: Destination NSW
Regional Cooperative Tourism Marketing Program is available to undertake a Cooperative Tourism Marketing Program which will be led by Destination NSW.

NSW Regional Conferencing Development Grants
Closes: Ongoing until the 30th of June 2018 or until funds are expended
Value:  Up to $100,000
Run By: Destination NSW
The Regional Conferencing Development Grants Pilot Program is intended to assist stakeholders to create new business events to be staged in regiona NSW and/or attract existing business events to regional NSW locations.

Closing in May

Stronger Country Communities Fund
Closes: 5pm AEST, Friday 4 May 2018
Value: From $50,000
Run By: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
The Stronger Country Communities Fund is investing in infrastructure projects in regional NSW communities to improve the lives of residents and enhance the attractiveness of these areas as vibrant places to live and work. Applications are open to Local Countils and organisations are encouraged to contact their Council.