PacificAus Sports competitive grants now open

PacificAus Sports will open its first ever competitive grants round from Wednesday 8 December 2021 through to Friday 18 February 2022. PacificAus Sports welcomes applications from Pacific and Australian sports organisations working in partnership to create opportunities for talented Pacific athletes and teams to access high performance coaching, competitions, and facilities seeking funding up to AUD 80,000.

To be eligible for a PacificAus Sports Grant, you must be an Australian or Pacific sport organisation. Applicants should have experience delivering high level training or competitions. Applicants must also have an existing relationship(s) with, or the support of, an Australian or Pacific partner sports organisation, as appropriate (i.e. if you are located in the Pacific, your partner organisation must be in Australia, and vice versa).

To view the grant guidelines and review the application form please visit https://pacificaussports.smartygrants.com.au/Round1 or email pacific.sports@dfat.gov.au for further details.

Key Dates

• Grant Round Opens - 8 December 2021     
• Online briefing / Q&A for potential applicants - 17 December 2021 

The briefing will be at 10am (AEDT) via WebEx. Please contact pacific.sports@dfat.gov.au for details on how to connect.

• PacificAus Sports Offices closed - 24 December – 3 January 2022   
• Online briefing / Q&A for potential applicants - 31 January 2022   
• Final date for questions - 14 February 2022                         
• Applications close - 18 February 2022                           
• Applicants notified of outcomes - April 2022 (approx.)   

FAQ     

Competitive Grants FAQ

1. How much can I apply for?

PacificAus Sports contribution to the activity is limited to $80,000 (AUD GST exclusive) per application (refer to grant guidelines page 9, Grant Amount)

        A) Does applicant need to contribute to the activity?

Yes, to be eligible for a PacificAus Sports Grant, your organisation and partner organisation must match AUD$1 for every AUD$4 that DFAT provides under the program. Contribution can be financial, in-kind or a combination of both (refer to grant guidelines page 9, Matched Funding).

2. What sporting codes can apply to the Grant Round?

Any sport is eligible to apply for a grant and this Grant Round does not have priority sporting codes.

3. What is the timeframe to deliver the activity?

The Activity should commence on or after 1 June 2021 and funds must be fully spent within the agreed activity period. A Variation of the funding agreement can be requested if necessary for the completion of the activity (refer to grant guidelines page 10, Duration of Activities Funded)

4. Do I need to partner with an Australian / Pacific Sport Organisation to be eligible to apply?

Yes, the program aims to create people to people links between Australia Sport Organisations and Pacific Sport Organisations. The Grant Round is open to multi-sport organisations (refer to grants guidelines page 11, Eligibility Criteria).

Pacific / Oceania regional sporting bodies that are based in Australia are considered a ‘Pacific Sport Organisation’ for this Grant Round.

5. What type of activity can the grant fund?

Grant funding must be used to deliver an activity that creates opportunities for emerging or elite Pacific athletes, including para-athletes, to access high quality Australian high-performance coaching, training, facilities and competitions (refer to grant guidelines page 12, What can the Grant Money be Used For?).

Applicants should include activities that will engage and inspire the community, promote gender equality and social inclusion, and contribute positively to sport in the Pacific.

6. Do I need to apply via SmartyGrants?

​​​​​​​Yes, PacificAus Sports will not accept submission via email. All applications must be submitted via the SmartyGrant platform (refer to grant guidelines page 18, How to Apply).

7. Who are the current partners of PacificAus Sports?

PacificAus Sports partners can be found at the program website https://www.pacificaussports.gov.au/partners/our-partners

8. Is there a reporting requirement at the completion of the activity?

Yes, successful applicants are obliged to deliver and report on activities in accordance  with the grant guidelines and the grant agreement, this includes managing the risks of the activities (refer to grant guidelines page 23 and 24).

9. How will the application be assessed?

The Evaluation Committee will base its assessment against the Selection Criteria (refer page 14 of the grant guidelines) and will be competitively ranked against other applications.

10. Can I apply if I have an existing grant funded through the Australian Government?

Yes, this Grant Round aims to support the development  elite-level athletes and coaches through access to high-performance opportunities. Only existing PacificAus Sports partners are ineligible for this grant.

11. Are there COVID-19 contingencies or other options for delivery of activities?

Applicants are asked to consider the implication of COVID-19 restrictions on their proposed activities – including the digital/online delivery of activities (refer to grant guidelines page 16, Selection Criteria).