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DVA Grants scheme.
For many years now, DVA has administered several different grants’ schemes, applicants were required to log onto the DVA site and download a form, fill it in then post it off to DVA in Adelaide - and wait!!
There would be a cut-off day for applications and at that date, DVA would bundle them all up, sort them out, approve some and those applicants would be sent a cheque. The others would get a sorry!
That’s the way it used to be, but no more. (We'll miss you Matt!)
Like most things these days, the whole grants scheme is now going on-line and can be found at the GrantConnect web site (www.grants.gov.au). In the interests of efficiency, all grants will be administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) through what will be called the Community Grants Hub. The Community Grants Hub is one of two Hubs being implemented to standardise how grants are designed, selected, established and managed by the Australian Government. This facility will not only handle grants requested by DVA clients but also applicants from all other Australian Government Agencies. It will deliver grant administration services to Australian Government agencies and organisations which primarily deliver grant programs to individuals and the community sector.
This Streamlining Grants Administration (SGA) initiative will be less expensive to administer, will be more efficient, will make the application process easier for the applicant and will enable them to follow the process from start to finish. Although administered by the DSS, individual Australian Government agencies will retain all policy control for grant programs. Individual agencies, like the DVA, will prepare guidelines for each program to provide applicants with adequate information to submit an application. These will include the objectives of the grant program, assessment criteria, eligible and non-eligible items and reporting and acquittal requirements.
In DVA, the grant guidelines are prepared by a policy team who ensures the objectives of the grant program support the strategic direction of that department.
What does this mean for grant applicants and recipients?
When fully implemented, grant applicants and recipients will experience:
The following Grants Programs are available for DVA clients.
Veteran and Community Grants. The Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program aims to improve the independence and quality of life for members of the veteran community. This program provides funding for projects that support activities and services to sustain or enhance health and wellbeing. More information about the Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Building Excellence in Support and Training. The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program supports ex-service organisations (ESOs) enabling them to provide compensation and welfare assistance to the veteran and Defence community. It also links closely to the Advocacy Training and Development Program, which provides the essential skills for claims, advocacy and welfare work. More information about the BEST program and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Grants-In-Aid. This program aims to support the role of National ESOs to provide coordinating and representational support within the veteran and Defence community. More information about Grants-In-Aid and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Long Tan Bursary scheme. The Long Tan Bursary scheme provides funding to help Australian Vietnam Veterans' children meet the cost of post‑secondary education and obtain the formal qualifications and skills to pursue their chosen career. More information about the Long Tan Bursary scheme and how to apply on is available on the DVA website.
Overseas privately-constructed memorial restoration program. The Overseas Privately-constructed Memorial Restoration program provides grants to assist Australian veterans and other individuals in the restoration and preservation of existing overseas military unit and battle memorials. More information about the Overseas Privately-constructed Memorial Restoration program and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Saluting Their Service commemorations grants. Saluting Their Service grants support projects and activities which promote appreciation and understanding of Australia’s servicemen and women who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations. More information about the Saluting Their Service grants and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Supporting Younger Veterans grants. The Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grant program provides funding to Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) to encourage partnerships that will deliver innovative and sustainable services for younger veterans and build community capacity to meet the needs of younger veterans. The grants will also help raise awareness of the important issues faced by younger veterans. More information about the Supporting Younger Veterans grants and how to apply is available on the DVA website.
Timeline.
The Community Grants Hub was brought on line late in February and by mid March a majority of DVA grants schemes will be available through the Hub website. These include:
The Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants will open on the Hub in July 2018.
Terminology.
As this is a new Government scheme, someone felt it important to invent some new terminology to go along with it. We now have three new “headings” to go along with the Scheme, they are:
Forecast Opportunities (FO). This includes information about grants prior to them becoming available Each FO is assigned an FO ID number. They are used to advertise potential Grant Opportunities by providing limited information and the estimated date when the Grant will be available for application. They will also contain information on how to apply for the grant.
IMPORTANT: All FOs are subject to revision, withdrawal or cancellation. Information about FOs is provided for planning purposes only and does not represent a commitment by the Australian Government to provide a grant or financial assistance.
Grant Opportunities (GO). Grant Opportunities is a collective term to describe any notice published on GrantConnect inviting potential recipients to apply for an Australian government grant. Grant Opportunities may be open or restricted and will reflect the relevant grant selection process specified in the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs). Once a grant is available for application, it is called a Grant Opportunity (GO). Each GO is assigned a GO ID number and believe it or not, a set of GO documents are called “GO documents”. The Current Grant Opportunity List contains all current Grant Opportunities (GOs) open for application. By default, they are sorted with those closing soonest at the top, and those that are ongoing at the end of the list. You must use the GO ID number when applying for a grant.
The list sort order can be changed by clicking on the default sort field which initially will display 'Close Date & Time - Ascending'. Other sort options available are:
Grant Awards (GA). Once a Grant has been awarded by an Australian Government entity to an individual or an organisation, that person or organisation’s identity and details of the grant will be made available in the Grant Award List.
Grant Awards (GA) are reported on the GrantConnect web site as the result of a grant being awarded. GA is published on GrantConnect within 21 days of a grant agreement taking effect.
So, how do you use it?
First thing you must do is register. To do that, open the web site www.grants.gov.au and at the top of the page, on the RHS, click “New User Registration” (See below)
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This will open a form which you must fill in. Most fields have a “help” button ? which you can click to assist you with the form. When finished, click “I Agree and Understand.” Once you’ve registered, you can log in at any time to check which Grants are available and which have been approved. Do not include the initials DVA in your search as this will return a NIL, instead of DVA use the word “Veterans”.
After you've registered, whenever a GO is available, you will get an email from the HUB advising you of its availability.
You’ll get an email like this: |
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The next site that is important is www.communitygrants.gov.au
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When you log onto this site you will be given a list of all the grants that are open for application and those that have closed. To apply, select the grant to which you wish to apply, then click the “View Grant” tag associated with that grant. This will open the details of the grant and will show its closing date.
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When you scroll down to the bottom of the information page you will see the following:
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Here you will find guidelines on how to apply (you can select each of these docs in either PDF for MS-WORD format). When you’re ready, select APPLY and start filling in the form.
Each form has a very handy “Save and Exit” button which allows you to stop part of the way through the form if you have to get further information. You just click the “Save and Exit” button, click “Confirm” and you can come back to the form and finish it later.
Each form will have a reference number at the top right, you must record this as you will need it if you wish to go back to add to or modify the form.
But, be careful, once you submit your application it cannot be modified.
If you have any queries regarding this new grants system, you can ring your State DVA office on 1800 020 283 between 09.00am and 5.30pm AEDST.
Be Connected.
Another new scheme that has been released by the Australian Government is the Be Connected program. There are over 3 million people in Australia who are digitally excluded. They are missing out on all of the benefits that the internet brings be it saving money, keeping in touch, accessing general information and/or Government services. More than half of those people who lack basic digital skills are aged over 50.
Be Connected is a FREE Australia wide initiative which will enable all Australians to understand and thrive in a digital world. It has online learning resources as well as a Network of community partners which will, in some instances, offer hands on, person to person support allowing a person to develop their digital skills and confidence.
This is a wonderful initiative and can be found here https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/, - it:
• aims to increase the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australians in using digital technology. • helps older Australians to realise the value of being connected online and provides access to appropriate training and support in a safe and familiar environment. • includes a Learning Portal with information and interactive training tools, and free access to face-to-face help and support.
The Learning Portal provides a range of free courses and resources to help older Australians improve their skills.
Course topics include:
• The absolute basics • Getting to know your device • Getting started online • Safety first • More online skills • Connecting to others
If you are a little rusty in the electronics game or you know someone who is, steer them to the “Be Connected” web site.
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