The ACT Government is pleased to announce the opening of the 2022-23 ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grants Program (the Grants Program).

The Grants Program aligns with several Focus Areas under the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 (the ACT Agreement). The ACT Agreement is a framework supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT to exercise self-determination (s.27(2) of the ACT Human Rights Act).

Objectives

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion
• ACT Health and Wellbeing
• COVID-19 safety.

Priority Areas

The Grants Program consists of 3 components:

1. Cultural grants: To support the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 Core Focus Area of Cultural Integrity, where a society supports the aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and contributes to the building of respectful, fair and sustainable communities.
2. Leadership grants: To support the Agreement Core Focus Area of Community Leadership, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a strong voice, are decision makers on issues that impact them and lead in the achievement of positive life outcomes.
3. Scholarship grants: To support the Agreement Significant Focus Area of Lifelong Learning, where respect is given to preserving the world’s oldest living cultures which enhances social inclusion and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to fully engage in lifelong learning and positive generational experiences.

Funding

Total funding available for the 2022-23 ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grants Program is $220,000.

The Grants Program funding consists of the following categories:

• Cultural: Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 and organisations can apply for up to $10,000.
• Leadership: Individuals can apply for up to $5,000 and organisations can apply for up to $10,000.
• Scholarship: Individuals can apply for up to $5,000.

Successful recipients must spend the funding within 12 months of receiving the grant.