Business and infrastructure Funding Opportunities - September 2019

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Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter

Welcome to our 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

Please note the below information is intended as a guide only. Closing dates and details should be verified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

Featured Grants

Economic and Community Participation (ECP) Program
Closes: Monday 21 October 2019 11pm AEDT
Value: From $100,000 per year
Run By: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open competitive process to apply to deliver ILC activities under Outcome 1.2 – Community Inclusion and Capacity Development Grants nationally for up to three years from 2019-20. The ECP Program aims to build the capacity of the community to create opportunities for people with disability to contribute to community prosperity and participate in community life.

The objective of this ECP grant round is to improve the economic and community participation of people with disability across Australia. This grant round aims to fund projects which provide a catalyst for increasing access and inclusion in economic and community participation for people with disability across Australia. There are two streams under the ECP Program within this grant round.

Economic Participation stream - Sector based initiatives to create pathways to employment and drive inclusive practices for people with disability to contribute to Australia’s economic prosperity

Social and Community Participation stream - Inclusive practices to create opportunities for people with disability to participate in community life, with a focus on arts, culture, sport and recreation.

The specific outcomes for the ECP Program include:

• People with disability participate in and benefit from the same community activities as everyone else.
• People with disability actively contribute to leading, shaping and influencing their community.

Manufacturing Modernisation Fund
Closes: 31st of October 2019 5pm
Value: $50,000 up to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
 
Supports manufacturers to modernise, adopt new technologies, become more productive and create more jobs by co-funding capital investments and associated reskilling. Modernisation can include technology upgrades, efficiency upgrades, such as energy or process optimisation, or more transformative changes to your business, which will allow you to produce new products or diversify into new markets.

The program aims to:

• support investment in efficient and transformative manufacturing processes by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
• support jobs growth and a more highly skilled workforce in the manufacturing sector

The program will run over 3 years and will be delivered through two streams of funding:

• an estimated $20 million for matched grants of between  $50,000 to $100,000 for small scale  technology and efficiency investments
• an estimated $30 million for larger grants between $100,000 to $1 million, on a three to one funding basis,  to support transformative investments in technologies and processes

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.

Closing in September

Stronger Country Communities Fund
Closes: 27th of Septemher 2019 5pm
Value: Above $50,000 and up to a cap dependant on Local Government Area
Run By: NSW Government

Round three aims to provide projects that improve the lives of people who live in regional areas with $100 million made available for projects that improve the lives and wellbeing of regional NSW communities, including a dedicated $50 million for projects for young people.

Closing In October

Fixing Country Roads
Closes: 10th of October 2019
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Transport for NSW
Provides funding through three streams– roads and bridges construction, bridge and route load assessments and truck washes.

Economic and Community Participation (ECP) Program
Closes: Monday 21 October 2019 11pm AEDT
Value: From $100,000 per year
Run By: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
The ECP Program aims to build the capacity of the community to create opportunities for people with disability to contribute to community prosperity and participate in community life.

Energy Efficiency Solutions
Closes: 21st of October 2019 4pm
Value: Up to $350,000
Run By: NSW Department of Primary Industries
Aims to help sectors most exposed and sensitive to increased energy input costs in NSW, to explore novel approaches to improving on-farm energy optimisation.

Australian Heritage Grants
Closes: 22nd of October 2019 5pm
Value: $25,000 to $400,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy
The program will provide support to protect and promote the listed values of National Heritage List1 places through strengthened recognition, management, conservation and public engagement.

Grants for Growth
Closes: Monthly rounds closing 31st of October 2019
Value: $5,000 plus $5,000 in-kind business accounting and bookeeeping services
Run By: H & R Block
12 small businesses will receive $5,000 in cash plus $5,000 to use towards H&R Block's business accounting and bookkeeping services.

Before and After School Care Infrastructure Fund
Closes: Monthly rounds until the end of October 2019
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: NSW Department of Education
Aiming to expand before and after school care to make places available to all parents with children at government primary schools that need it by 2021, this funding helps schools buy new equipment and expand their facilities.

Manufacturing Modernisation Fund
Closes: 31st of October 2019 5pm
Value: $50,000 up to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Supports manufacturers to modernise, adopt new technologies, become more productive and create more jobs by co-funding capital investments and associated reskilling.

Closing in November

1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding
Closes: 30th of November 2019 5pm or until 100 allocations
Value: Up to $56,102.78 over two years
Run By: Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Tranche One provides a subsidy for 100 new jobs for Community Development Program participants in remote Australia to support economic development.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
Closes: 30th of June 2021 or when the $12 Million funding allocation is exhausted
Value: Up to $25,000 per farm enterprise
Run By: NSW Government Department of Primary Indsutries, Rural Assistance Authority
Eligible Primary Producers can claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs.

Infrastructure Grants
Next Round Opens: 18th of November
Next Round Closes: 9th of December 5pm
Future Round Opens: 16th of March 2020
Value: Up to $300,000 depending on project area
Run By: NSW Government Office of Responsible Gambling
Funding is available for arts and cultural infrastructure, sport and recreation infrastructure and projects that assist communities with essential infrastructure and disaster readiness.

NSW Cross-Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund
Closes: Ongoing until 31st of December 2019
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Office of the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner
Further Information: Contact Kate Moodley in the Office of the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner or view our website
The fund is designed to fund regionally significant projects that deliver social, economic, environmental or cultural benefits to communities in border areas of NSW and neighbouring jurisdictions.

Regional Employment Trials Program
Closes: 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.

Cyber Security Small Business Program
Closes: Ongoing until 30 June 2020 5pm AEST
Value: Up to $2,100 - $10 Million total pool
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industy, Innovation and Science
Supports small businesses across Australia to have their cyber security tested by a provider that has been approved by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers Australia New Zealand (CREST).

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant
Closes: 31st of July 2020
Value: Up to $40,000
Run By: NSW Government
Promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce, the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies and local government authorities.

Austtalian Government's Youth Jobs PaTH
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $11,0000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active
Helps employers find and recruit the right young person for their business by facilitating trials and providing a wage subsidy of up to $10,000 if you hire them.

Restart
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,0000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active
Restart is a financial incentive of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) to encourage businesses to hire and retain mature age employees who are 50 years of age and over.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $15,000 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants will help Australian SMEs to invest in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry.

CSIRO Kick-Start
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000 matched funding
Run By: CSIRO
CSIRO Kick-Start is a new initiative for innovative Australian start-ups and small SMEs, providing funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.

Dreamstarter - Scholarships
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
ING are looking to provide education scholarships for change makers working on an early-stage business that will create positive social impact through trade of a product or service.

Dreamstarter - Grants for Growth
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
Dreamstarter Grants for Growth provides ING Dreamstarter Alumni with access to funding to accelerate the growth of their businesses and increase their positive social impact.

Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant
Closes: Ongoing rounds through the year
Value: Up to $140,000
Run By: Impact Investing Australia
Provides impact businesses and mission-driven organisations with grants for business, financial, legal and other capacity building support from providers to secure investment.

Export Market Development Grants
Closes: Yearly rounds / Varying dates
Value: Up to $150,000
Run By: Austrade
The Export Market Development Grants scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters.and supports a wide range of industries.

On-farm Natural Resource Management Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified matched
Run By: Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
Funding is avaliable to develop projects on-farm and we would like landholders to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to help us identify and support their natural resource priorities.

Newsagents Assistance Fund
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry
The Newsagents Assistance Fund assists eligible agents to update their NSW Lotteries retail image and fit-out to align with the NSW Lotteries brand.

Youth Employment Program
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Support
Run By: NSW Government Department of Industry
Local businesses that provide opportunities for young people benefit from access to job-ready employees with the skills and training they need for their businesses.

Safe and Secure Water Program
Closes: Ongoing until expended
Value: No minimum or maximum, $1 Billion total pool
Run By: NSW Department of Industry
The SSWP will co-fund eligible water and sewerage projects that deliver economic growth in regional NSW through improvements to public health, water security, environmental outcomes and/or social benefits.

Drought Relief Heavy Vehicle Access Program
Closing date: Not Specified - indicated until $15 Million total pool expended
Value: Up to $300,000 per Local Government Area
Run By: NSW Roads and Maritime Services
This program has been established to contribute to the cost of maintenance and minor improvements on council roads and roadsides, where those improvements will contribute to heavy vehicle access, in support of the drought relief freight task.

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.

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.

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.

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: Based on individual assessment
Run By: Australian Government Department of Human Services
Provides assistance to farming families experiencing financial hardship. The program focuses on helping farmers make important decisions to improve their long-term financial situation.

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.