Open call funding

Assessment process

The contributions that applications can make to the targets set out in this business plan form a very important part of the assessment process.

The following investment principles will be considered in the assessment process:

• applications must demonstrate ability to make clear and measurable achievements against the 2012–13 Caring for our Country target(s) the applicant has chosen to address. In assessing this we will take into account:
  • demonstrated capacity to complete projects by 30 June 2013
  • demonstrated capacity of the applicants and/or partnership to deliver results and manage contractual obligations
  • demonstrated technical feasibility
  • relevance of proposed activities to the chosen targets
  • engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners
  • the most effective delivery mechanisms
  • the scale and degree of intervention proposed
  • the likely degree of adoption where relevant
  • potential to raise community awareness and enhance skills, including for Indigenous groups where appropriate
  • the application is based on the best available science at the time and builds on the collective knowledge of what works best
  • the maintenance of benefits into the future (where appropriate).
• alignment with national strategies where appropriate, such as the National Biodiversity Strategy or the Australian Weeds Strategy
• the risk of activities not being able to proceed as planned and the risk mitigation plan in place
• the public or broader community benefit derived from the project:
  • applicants seeking to work on private land should be prepared to contribute to the cost of their project. Cost sharing arrangements need to take into account the levels of public and private benefits to be obtained.
• value for money:
  • applications that achieve the greatest benefit against targets, for every dollar invested, will receive a higher priority.

Weightings may apply to some assessment criteria. The Government reserves the right to undertake external assessments or feasibility studies and use the information provided in applications for this purpose.

Applicants may be asked to nominate two referees who can attest to an organisation's capacity to undertake the work set out in an application. Referees must not have any financial or contractual interest in the application.

The assessment process allows for a wide range of projects to be considered. It includes the necessary expertise and technical specialists required for components such as the National Reserve System, Indigenous and sustainable farm practices projects.

State and territory-based community Preliminary Screening Panels will assess the eligibility and merit of proposals. Panels include Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members, from various age groups, who have extensive  community knowledge and/or experience in managing natural resources in regions across Australia. A National Moderating Panel will then consolidate the preliminary screening information into recommendations for a national portfolio of best quality projects. This suite of recommendations will represent an appropriate mix and balance of projects against targets and geographic distribution. An Executive Panel will then provide advice to the Ministers regarding the National Moderating Panel's recommendations.

The assessment process is overseen by an independent expert panel to ensure it is robust, transparent and equitable.

Please consider carefully the information in this business plan before preparing your application.