Open call funding

Submitting an application for investment

Caring for our Country funding is available for successful projects that will contribute to the achievement of targets listed in priorities for investment in this 2012–13 business plan.

When applying it is important to clearly identify the measurable quantity of target that you will deliver. You must be able to complete your project by the 30 June 2013. All applicants must register via the Caring for our Country website and then select from the list of funding opportunities.

• Open call
  For the majority of applications an open call online application form will need to be completed. Further details and the online application form are available at How to apply. Applications closed on 9 February 2012.
• Community Action Grants
  Applications for Community Action Grants close on 27 March 2012.

Closing dates
Open call	9 February 2012
Community Action Grants	27 March 2012
Closing dates are as at 5:00pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDST) as appropriate.

Open call applications

In this business plan, applications are invited through the open call investment process for projects over $20 000 (GST exclusive). As a guide, projects are not expected to exceed $500 000 (GST exclusive).

The exception to the $500 000 guide is land acquisition proposals under the National Reserve System where land value is a factor.

Applications are invited that will either deliver against multiple targets in an integrated way, or deliver against a single target.

An integrated application is only valuable where linking multiple targets makes sense and will deliver better outcomes than a single focused project. An integrated application that seeks to address multiple targets will need to identify and explain the linkages between the various selected targets and how the project delivers against each of them.

You will be asked to nominate up to a maximum of two targets. These are the targets against which your application will be assessed. You should therefore carefully select those targets for which your application can achieve the greatest measurable difference.

There may be circumstances where an application could feasibly address more than two targets. Applicants will have the opportunity to broadly describe contributions to other targets in the application form and, if successful, during the contracting and reporting stage.

All applications need to demonstrate ability to achieve against the nominated targets by 30 June 2013.

Additional details about project deliverables will be asked of successful applicants and will be used in our contract with you, unless changes or conditions are required.

Application expectations

Applications are expected to:

• clearly and logically explain how and why project activities will deliver improvements against targets, for example, have a program logic
• outline a strong governance structure for delivery of the project, including any partners, sub-contractors and interest groups engaged in the delivery
• involve effective partnerships where this adds value and more effectively delivers the outcomes sought. For example, with relevant industry, community groups (including environmental, Landcare and Coastcare), Indigenous groups, government and non-government organisations, research and development corporations and providers and on-ground regional officers
• consider the risks involved in the project delivery and how these can be managed and/or mitigated
• consider a communication strategy to disseminate information to the broader community where this is relevant
• provide detail of any project manager or facilitator costs (if required), why they are essential and how such services will demonstrably lead to improved on-ground outcomes for the project
• consider relevant past and current projects
• explore and address any opportunities for Indigenous people to participate in the delivery of the targets
• consider if and how community groups such as environmental, Landcare and Coastcare groups could be actively engaged in project planning and/or delivery.

In preparing your application you must carefully consider the information provided in priorities for investment of this business plan.

How you can access assistance

• Frequently asked questions
• The Australian Government Land and Coasts team can provide information on factual matters such as the assessment process and eligibility, clarification of terms, targets, priorities or relevant information sources.
• Australian Government NRM Officers
  Indigenous Land Management are available to assist Indigenous applicants

Contact with, or assistance from, the team (including Australian Government NRM Officers) does not guarantee that any project will be funded. All project applications will be subject to a rigorous assessment, evaluation and approval process.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact us.