Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities - October 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 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

Mobile Black Spot Program - Round 4
Registration as an Applicant: 22nd of October
Pre-Application Information Due: 29th of October
Closing date: 10th of December 2018 5pm (ACT Local Time)
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Australian Government Department of Communications and the Arts

The Mobile Black Spot Program is the Australian Government’s initiative to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition in regional and remote areas of Australia. The Government has allocated up to $25 million (GST exclusive) to deliver Round 4 of the Program.

To be eligible for funding under Round 4 of the Program, an applicant must be a national Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP), that has signed a non-disclosure agreement and (where relevant) has supplied the required network information in accordance with the Grant Guidelines.

Grantees will be required to make a substantial financial (cash) co-contribution to the capital costs of building each Funded Solution. To increase the reach of the Program, applicants are encouraged to seek financial co-contributions from State, Territory or local governments, local communities and/or other third parties.

Building Better Regions Fund - Infrastructure Projects Stream
Round Three Closes: 15th of November 2018 5pm AEDT
Value: Between $20,000 and $10 million, with most grants expected to be under $100,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provides economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas. To help regions unlock their tourism potential, up to $45 million has been earmarked for tourism related infrastructure projects that will help stimulate local economies by investing in the tourism sector.

Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and can include:

• the construction of new infrastructure
• the upgrade to existing infrastructure
• the extension of existing infrastructure
• the replacement of infrastructure where there is a significant increase in benefit

Other Details:

• Grants are available for between $20,000 and $10 million.
• Projects must be completed by the 31st of December 2021.
• For most projects, grant funding will be up to 50 per cent or up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs. The project’s location will determine the percentage of grant funding you can receive. An exemption to the requirement for a cash contribution may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• A cash contribution is strongly encouraged for all projects, as projects without a cash contribution may not score as highly against the merit criteria.

Regional Employment Trials Program
Closing date: 30th of June 2020
Value: $7,500 to $200,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business

The Northern Inland is one of only ten regions across Australia to be selected for the Regional Employment Trials Program. The Regional Employment Trials program provides local stakeholders in selected regions, including businesses, not-for-profits and local government agencies, with grants to trial local approaches to delivering employment related projects.

The objectives of the program are to deliver:

• strong connections between regional stakeholders, including employment services providers
• employment initiatives that meet local needs
• improved awareness of local labour markets
• the potential for improved regional employment outcomes

Grants are for between $7,500 and $200,000, for up to 75% of eligible project costs. Projects must be completed by 30 June 2020.

Applicants should contact the Employment Facilitator for the Northern Inland, and they will help determine if the project is aligned to local employment priorities, and connect applicants with an employment services provider if needed.

Before applying, applicants must submit information about their project to RDANI using the RDA project proposal template. RDANI will committee will provide you with written feedback using the RDA project proposal template which must be attach to the full grant application.

Drought Communities Programme - Extension
Closing date: 30th of June 2019
Value: $1 Million per declared council (All Northern Inland Councils are included)
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities

Funding is available to eligible councils for local infrastructure projects and other drought-relief activities. Project funding is intended to provide short-term support, including by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs.

Funding will target infrastructure and other projects that:

• provide employment for people whose work opportunities have been impacted by drought
• stimulate local community spending
• use local resources, businesses and suppliers
• provide a long-lasting benefit to communities and the agricultural industries on which they depend.

Drought Assistance for Farmers

The Australian and NSW Governments have a range of funding opportunities and support programs to help farmers through these tough times.

Australian Government Assistance:

• The Regional Investment Corporation
• The Managing Farm Risk Program
• Farm Household Allowance
• Pest and Weed Management
• Free financial counselling through the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
• Tax Measures

NSW State Government Assistance:

• The online DroughtHub
• Farm Innovation Fund
• Drought Assistance Fund,
• Funding for additional co-ordinators for the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health and the National Association for Loss and Grief.
• Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program
• The installation of three new Doppler radar weather stations in Western NSW

Assistance for Mental and Physical Health and a Positive Future
The stress of ongoing drought is not just financial, it takes a significant mental and physical toll as well. Support is available through a wide variety of organisations, allowing the right help to be found. The NSW Government provides assistance through the Rural Resilience Program and the NSW Department of Primary Industries has an index of other support in their Wellbeing section of the DroughtHub.

Further details on the support available is provided on the drought assistance page in our website here.

Closing in October

Landing Pads
Closing date: 8th of October 2018
Future Rounds Close: 4th of February and 20th of May 2019
Value: In-kind support including 90 day residency at an international co-working space
Run By: Australia Unlimited and Austrade
The Landing Pads program provides market-ready startups and scaleups with potential for rapid growth a cost effective option to land and expand into major global innovations hubs around the world.
 

Stronger Communities Program
Closes: 18th of October 2018 5:00 pm AEDT
Value: $2,500 to $20,000 Matched funding
Run By: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
The Stronger Communities Programme (the program) supports the Australian Government’s commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia. Round 4 of the program will provide each electorate has total funding of up to $150,000 that can be allocated to successful applications. In consultation with their community, each MP must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant. MPs may require a earlier submission date than October.

Mobile Blackspot Program - Round 4
Registration as an Applicant: 22nd of October
Pre-Application Information Due: 29th of October
Closing date: 10th of December 2018 5pm (ACT Local Time)
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Australian Government Department of Communications and the Arts
The Mobile Black Spot Program is the Australian Government’s initiative to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition in regional and remote areas of Australia by providing funding toh Mobile Network Operator or a Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers.

Infrastructure Grants

Round Three Closes: 22nd October 2018
Value: Up to $300,000 depending on project type
Run By: NSW Government Office of Responsible Gambling
The NSW Government 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 and emergency preparedness projects.

Aged Care Regional, Rural and Remote Infrastructure
Closing date: 24 October 2018 2pm (AEST)
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Health
This grant opportunity is designed to assist existing approved residential and home care providers in regional, rural and remote areas to invest in infrastructure. Commonwealth Home Support Programme services will also be considered, where there is exceptional need.

Closing in November

Start Strong Capital Works Grants
Closing date: 2nd of November 2018
Value: Not disclosed - Total pool of $6 million
Run By: NSW Department of Education
Eligible services can apply for funding through this program to:
Build a new centre based community preschool; Extend an existing community preschool; Renovate existing or new premises for a centre based community preschool; Purchase a motor vehicles for a mobile preschool; or Respond to a crisis situation with a capital works project.

Incubator Event Fund
Closes: 4th of November 2018 5pm
Value: Up to $20,000
Run By: Destination NSW
The Incubator Event Fund offers seed funding to innovative events in Regional NSW to support their first and second years of activity.

Global Innovation Linkages Program
Closes: 14th of November 2018 5:00 pm AEDT
Value: Up to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
The program provides funding to assist Australian businesses and researchers to collaborate with global partners for projects focussed on developing high quality products, services or processes that will respond to industry challenges.

Building Better Regions Fund - Infrastructure Projects Stream
Round Three Closes: 15th of November 2018 5pm AEDT
Value: Between $20,000 and $10 million, with most grants expected to be under $100,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports projects which involve the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provides economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

Organics Market Development Grants
Closes: 22nd of November 2018
Value: $20,000 to $200,000
Run By: NSW Environment Protection Authority
These grants support market development activities that will improve the demand for compost processed from source separated organics by increasing knowledge and awareness, improving product quality and demonstrating its benefits in new and innovative markets.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Landing Pads
Closing date: 4th of February 2019
Future Round Closes: 20th of May 2019
Value: In-kind support including 90 day residency at an international co-working space
Run By: Australia Unlimited and Austrade
The Landing Pads program provides market-ready startups and scaleups with potential for rapid growth a cost effective option to land and expand into major global innovations hubs around the world.

Wine Export Grants
Closing date: Ongoing until 1st of May 2020
Value: Up to $25,000
Run By: Wine Australia
Wine Export Grants are offered for specific wine export promotion activities aimed at supporting small and medium wine businesses to secure new distribution channels in China, Hong Kong, Macau and/or the USA.

Regional Investment Attraction Fund
Closes: Undisclosed
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: NSW Government
Grants and interest-free loans targeted at offsetting government levies and duties, such as payroll tax, to eligible businesses that want to invest and grow in regional NSW, which will lead to new jobs.

Relocation Assistance for Skilled Workers
Closes: Undisclosed
Value: Up to $10,000 per worker
Run By: NSW Government
Grants are available to help attract skilled employees to regional NSW businesses operating in eligible industriesto meet the costs of relocating employees, such as for furniture removal and temporary accommodation for up to three months.

Regional Filming Fund
Closing date: Four weeks prior to the start of filming in Regional NSW
Value: up to 35% of the budgeted NSW Regional Spend to a maximum of $100,000
Run By: Screen NSW
Provides Australian film projects that are filming in regional NSW with funding of up to $100,000 to offset the costs associated with shooting a film in regional areas.

Coles Nurture Fund
Next Round: Expected early 2019
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Coles Supermarkets Australia
Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (Coles) has launched an initiative to assist existing small to medium Australian producers, farmers and manufacturers to innovate and grow their business.

Managing Farm Risk Program
Closing date: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,500
Run By: Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
The Managing Farm Risk Program provides rebates for advice and assessments to help farmers prepare and apply for a new insurance policy that assists with the management of drought and other production and market risks.

Regional Growth Loans
Closing date: Unspecified
Value: $200,000 to $500,000
Run By: NSW Government
Regional Growth Loans are direct, interest-free loans for emerging and fast-growth SMEs in regional NSW that are scaling quickly and creating jobs, but face barriers in accessing finance from traditional lenders.

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.

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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 - New & Existing Incubators
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: $26,000 to $500,000
Run By: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’
Provides new and existing business incubators with grants of up to $500,000 to assist Australian start-ups develop the capabilities required to succeed in international markets.

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.