This grant is open to approved BASC providers operating approved BASC services in NSW. Funding is available to support new, innovative and creative initiatives in providing out of school hours care to NSW primary school students.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $80,000
- Application opened: 17 March 2023
- Application closed: 14 April 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The Innovation Grant Program seeks to encourage the development of creative and innovative approaches that meet at least one of the following objectives:
- To support new projects that develop innovative practice to achieve significant improvements to the provision of before and after school care to NSW primary school students.
- To support new projects that encourage excellence in the delivery of before and after school care to NSW primary school students.
This program is administered by Department of Education.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Although projects that are collaborations between organisations (for example other approved providers, local councils, schools, local community organisations) are welcome, the following eligibility provisions must be met:
- Applications can only be accepted from a single approved Before and After School Care (BASC) provider.
- The application must benefit at least one (1) approved BASC service operating in NSW. If the application benefits multiple services, it is strongly recommended that applicants contact us prior to submitting.
- Any benefiting services must provide evidence of care to NSW Public School students.
- Applications must be certified by an authorised officer: a person legally able to enter into agreements on behalf of the approved service provider.
- Letters of support from any identified collaborating providers or organisations must be provided.
- Applications for services based on public school sites cannot be accepted where the license for that service is due for renewal within the next twelve months. Contact the BASC Grants Team for further clarification if required.
Who can’t apply
- Anyone who is not an approved BASC provider.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The program is looking to support projects that explore new ideas.
Consideration will be given to initiatives that enhance and improve the experience of all BASC stakeholders, including children, parents, staff, schools and the local community.
Examples could include novel approaches to innovative practice and excellence in areas such as:
- inclusivity and accessibility
- diversity
- creative program design
- community partnerships
- resource sharing
- staff development
- policy development.
Collaborations are welcome, but applications can only be accepted from one approved provider.
What can’t you apply for
Funding is not available through this program for
- salaries of existing staff
- recurrent expenses such as rent, office supplies, subscriptions and memberships
- any building improvements, installations, or capital works on Department of Education sites including playground equipment, storage sheds, landscaping, renovations, repairs, extensions and security
- staff training and conferences that are not directly related to, or a critical component of, a broader project
- any tertiary vocational education (for example, Early Childhood Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees)
- activities that are not aligned with NSW Department of Education policies
- expenditure that does not represent value for money
- activities that are not within the scope of the National Quality Framework
- activities funded by another government programs
- activities funded by other School Infrastructure Grant programs such as Vacation Care Program and Transport Grant Program.
What can you apply for
The Innovation Grant Program will support all expenses that are directly related to the researching, testing, piloting and/or implementing a project that meets the objectives of the grant program. These can include
- relevant staff capacity building (for example, mentoring, training, specific short courses)
- costs related to additional casual staff required to complete the project
- resources critical to the project
- building improvements, installations and minor capital works directly related to, and a critical component of, the broader project. Letters of support from building owners must be provided. Capital works are not allowable on Department of Education sites.
What your application needs to include
You can download the complete guidelines for applicants:
File
BASC Innovation Grant round 2 guidelines (PDF 217.36KB)And you can download the application preview form:
File
BASC Innovation Grant round 2 application form (PDF 85.15KB)See more information on Before and After School Care.
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants will have the opportunity to review the application form and its questions once the round opens.
The form will request the following documentation, which applicants are advised to have before starting to fill out the form:
- Quotations, formal estimates, project wage breakdowns and any other documentation supporting costings in the proposed budget.
- Documentation supporting any assertions or assumptions in the application. This could include such things as surveys, research results, communications from parents or schools, financial or administrative analysis or more.
- Supporting documentation from building owners where applicable
- Letters of support from any identified collaborating providers or organisations. This is particularly important consideration when partnering with an Indigenous, CALD or inclusive organisation.
Address the eligibility criteria
Although projects that are collaborations between organisations (for example other approved providers, local councils, schools, local community organisations) are welcome, the following eligibility provisions must be met:
- Applications can only be accepted from a single approved Before and After School Care (BASC) provider.
- The application must benefit at least one (1) approved BASC service operating in NSW. If the application benefits multiple services, it is strongly recommended that applicants contact us prior to submitting.
- Any benefiting services must provide evidence of care to NSW Public School students.
- Applications must be certified by an authorised officer: a person legally able to enter into agreements on behalf of the approved service provider.
- Letters of support from any identified collaborating providers or organisations must be provided.
Applications for services based on public school sites cannot be accepted where the license for that service is due for renewal within the next twelve months.
Contact the BASC Grants Team for further clarification if required.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against the following assessment criteria:
- Evidence that supports a reasonable expectation that the project will deliver the one or more objectives of the Innovation Grant
- Extent to which the funding is linked to a discrete and defined activity or project and exhibits sound project management
- A project that is achievable and can be delivered on time and on budget (i.e., projects must be completed within 12 months of funding)
- Degree to which the need for this proposal is clearly explained
- The quality of the project including demonstrated considerations such as innovation, project planning, risk assessment and evaluation
- Demonstrated capacity and commitment to deliver the project
- Evidence of realistic, measurable and achievable program goals and outcomes
- Extent to which the budget exhibits the quality, cost-effectiveness and realism required to achieve desired outcomes with clear costing for all aspects of the project
- Extent to which the outcomes of the project would be relevant to the broader BASC sector.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are available via the Grants portal.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: All applications will be assessed by at least three assessors, including at least one assessor external to the OSHC Grants Team. Approval of the assessors’ recommendations is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Schools Infrastructure NSW. The Minister of Education reviews all applications and gives final authorisation to notify applicants.
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified once approved.
Final authorisation of applicant notification rests with the Minister for Education.
Support and contact
Email: BASCGrants@det.nsw.edu.au