Guidelines

• Overview
• Eligibility
• Selection Criteria
• Selection Committee
• Application Process
• Timeline

Overview

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), with the endorsement of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and the Senior Executive Group, has established a grant scheme to fund projects that promote Indigenous education and encourage and support Indigenous students. These grants will assist projects already running and/or provide financial support for developing new projects to address relevant issues affecting Indigenous students.

Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for any one grant. Applications seeking more than $50,000 will be considered if they are able to match the amount over $50,000 funding dollar for dollar. This additional funding may be contributed by faculties or other sources.

Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee appointed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) on the advice of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

Successful applicants will be required to present on the outcomes of their projects to the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

Eligibility

All members of the University community who promote Indigenous education and encourage and support Indigenous students are eligible to apply for a grant. They include:

• staff and/or student organisations e.g. SUPRA
• academic and/or administrative staff units e.g. Student welfare services
• individuals or groups of Academic or General staff e.g. library or IT services
• individuals or groups supporting the undergraduate or postgraduate student experience e.g. First Year Coordinators

Note: applications from individual students will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

Projects funded are expected to lead to the enhancement of Indigenous student learning, motivation to learn and/or enhancement of the student experience that benefits a significant number of Indigenous students directly.

Applications should describe a specific service, initiative or project and how it will target and enhance the identified needs of Indigenous students. Applications should reference relevant evidence and University documents including the SCEQ results.

1. An application for funding should include:

• the aims of the project and intended outcomes
• a detailed budget and identification of resources
• a timeline (note: applications for projects which extend more than 12 months will be expected to include in the timeline provision of progress reports at appropriate intervals)
• an indication of the assessment which will be used to evaluate the progress and success of the project.

2. Applications are required to demonstrate alignment with at least two of the following University strategies for Indigenous education:

• To improve access and participation to all academic programs of the University of Sydney for Indigenous Australians.
• To improve retention rates and successful outcomes for Indigenous Australian students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• To provide curricula and modes of course delivery which are informed by current research and the needs of Indigenous Australian communities.
• To recognise and promote understanding of and respect for Indigenous Australian peoples, their knowledge and cultures.
• To develop research activities by Indigenous Australian staff and students, especially research which responds to the needs of Indigenous Australian communities.
• To develop the staffing profile of Indigenous academic and general staff of the University.
• To ensure that Indigenous issues and knowledge are included in the core University goals of Learning and Teaching, Research and Community Engagement and in all activities.

3. Whilst the project itself may be new, applications should describe the project as an innovation that complements, enhances, or integrates with current initiatives.

4. Applications should provide an explanation of how the project may be replicated and best practice disseminated across the University.

Selection Committee

A Selection Committee will be appointed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) on the advice of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

The Selection Committee will include
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or nominee, who shall be Chair
Director of the Koori Centre
Director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning, or nominee
Director of Student Administration and Support, or nominee
One member of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee
An Indigenous student representative

Application Process

Applications should be made directly to Keri Neveldsen, Project Officer (Learning and Teaching). Applications are due by THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2009.

An electronic copy of the complete application should also be sent to: . Applications (of no more than 10 pages in total) must include an original plus six copies of each of the following:

• Application Form
• Application addressing the Selection Criteria
• Statement in support of the project
• Budget for the funding of the project
• Timeline indicating key project milestones and progress reporting dates

Timeline