Grants and Opportunities
RDA Northern Rivers seeks to support the Northern Rivers business community by featuring available grants and opportunities for the benefit of our local economy and community. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the grants that are available, instead it is a list of featured grants, primarily for organisations.
There are many more grants available and we have provided some useful links below to help you find them. RDA Northern Rivers can support your application through access to regional data, application assistance and support letters.
Need some guidance to help write your application? RDA Northern Rivers Successful Grant Writing Toolkit provides a step by step guide to help you write winning grants.
RDA Sydney are host to two grant writing webinars that provide more insight into the grant writing process. You can access the recording of the first webinar here and download documents from both webinars on the Successful Grant Writing Toolkit page.
What’s on this page?
Flood Recovery Grants
COVID-19 Grants and Support
Grants closing in January 2023
Grants closing in February 2023
Grants closing in March 2023
More grant opportunities
Awards, Scholarships and more
Where to find grants
February – March Flood Grants and Support
February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant
The disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations. Small businesses and not-for-profits in defined disaster areas are eligible.
Northern Rivers Medium Sized Business Grant
Up to $200,000 is available for medium sized businesses and not for profits with 21 to 200 employees to help pay for the costs of flood clean-up and reinstatement of operations.
Special Disaster Grants – NSW Severe Weather & Flooding February 2022 onwards
Flood affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for Special Disaster Grants to access financial assistance to get back operating as soon as possible.
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Initiative
Local organisations can apply for $150,000 to $250,000 through Healthy North Coast to deliver community wellbeing and resilience-building initiatives in locations that have been impacted by natural disaster – Closes 31 December 2022
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (Special Supplement) grants
The purpose of the grant is to provide additional recovery support to limit the financial hardship for individuals who live in the most significantly affected local government areas affected by severe weather heavy rainfall and associated flooding that impacted New South Wales in February and March 2022 – Ongoing
Disaster Recovery Allowance (Top-up) grants
The Australian Government will deliver an extra $350 per week for up to 13 weeks to individuals who have been granted Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) or New Zealand Disaster Recovery Allowance (NZ DRA) in locations declared eligible for the additional DRA top-up payment – Ongoing
Visit your Flood Recovery Centre, call the Service NSW Hotline on 13 77 88 or use the Disaster Assistance Finder to check your eligibility.
COVID-19 Grants and Support
The NSW Government has a range of financial support available for businesses and industries affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. Information is available from the NSW Government website.
A complete list of grants, loans and financial assistance available to NSW businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the Service NSW website.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
The purpose of the grant is to provide lump sum financial assistance to limit the financial hardship of eligible individuals who are or were unable to earn an income having been required to self-isolate or quarantine or are caring or cared for a person required to remain in isolation as a quarantine measure as a result of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 – Ongoing
Workplace Legal Advice Program
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Workplace Legal Advice Program provides eligible employers and employees with independent legal help to deal with workplace issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak.
Grants closing in January 2023
Mable Community Grants
Supports people and projects that promote inclusion for people with disability and older Australians in the arts, sports and recreation and business and technology – Closes 31 January 2023
Grants closing in February 2023
The Harcourts Foundation
Provides grants to reputable community-based charitable organisations which need funding for projects and initiatives designed to benefit as many people as possible – Closes 3 February 2023
Creative Koori Projects Grant
Creative Koori Projects funding is open to Aboriginal artists, arts and cultural workers, groups, and organisations for projects that support a strong, resilient, and creative Aboriginal arts and cultural sector for NSW – Closes 6 February 2023
Create NSW Annual Program and Project Funding (Organisations)
Create NSW Annual Program and Project Funding (Organisations) supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector – Closes 6 February 2023
Create NSW Project Funding (Individuals)
Create NSW Project Funding supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the NSW arts and cultural sector – Closes 6 February 2023
Indigenous Boarding Providers – Expansion
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (the Agency or NIAA) invites boarding providers with a high proportion of First Nations secondary students from remote and very remote areas to apply for grant funding – Closes 6 February 2023
Cancer Australia’s 2023 Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative Round 14
The Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative is an annual grants program that aims to support people affected by cancer through the provision of grants to community organisations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations – Closes 7 February 2023
Community War Memorials Fund
The NSW Government established the Community War Memorials Fund to help conserve, repair and protect war memorials across NSW.
Closes 13 February 2023
National Palliative Care Projects
The Grant Opportunity focuses on two action areas from the Implementation Plan for the National Palliative Care Strategy 2018 (the Implementation Plan): Action Areas 1 & 2 – Closes 13 February 2023
Advance Care Planning
This grant opportunity focuses on two action items from the Implementation Plan for the National Palliative Care Strategy: Action Areas 2 & 3 – Closes 13 February 2023
Liptember Foundation Women’s Mental Health Grants
Funding for projects that address women’s health issues with a focus on minority groups, stage of life, gender specific health conditions and mental health support – Closes 17 February 2023
2023 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity
The 2023 NAIDOC Local Grants aims to assist with the cost of activities being held during NAIDOC Week 2023 (2 – 9 July) that celebrate First Nations’ histories cultures achievements and continuing contributions to our country and society – Closes 17 February 2023
Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative Round 8
Project submissions that address the themes of safer drivers, safer vehicles or safer road use by investing in driver or supply chain skills and training, vehicle safety technologies and improvements, or heavy vehicle educational tools and resources are invited – Closes 20 February 2023
The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund
The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund will support communities in the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions who have a desire and need to strengthen their capacity and resilience in response to the 2019/20 bushfires, flooding and continued challenges across the region – Closes 21 February 2023
Disability Employment – Tourism Local Navigators Pilot
The objectives of this grant opportunity are to help small and medium sized (SME) tourism businesses address barriers they have previously identified in recruiting, retaining and progressing employees and jobseekers with disability – Closes 21 February 2023
MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative – 2022 International Clinical Trial Collaborations Grant Opportunity
Applications to this Grant Opportunity must propose a single clinical trial in Australia in collaboration with international counterparts – Closes 22 February 2023
Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) 2023-24
The Australian Government is inviting applications through a demand driven process to deliver services under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) program to assist veterans and defence communities – Closes 23 February 2023
National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program – Sustainability Reporting Uplift Grant Round
The Australian Government is inviting organisations in an open process to apply to deliver services under the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program – Sustainability Reporting Uplift Grant Round from June 2023 to June 2025 – Closes 23 February 2023
Coles Nurture Fund
Australian producers can apply for a grant of up to $500,000 to help them develop new market-leading products, technologies and processes – Closes 24 February 2023
Community Batteries for Household Solar Program – Delivery of Election Commitments Stream 1
This grant opportunity will deliver community batteries to support lower electricity bills and emissions support storage of excess solar energy and reduce pressure on the grid. This stream (Stream 1) aims to install connect and operate community batteries in certain locations listed in the grant opportunity guidelines – Closes 24 February 2023
Community Batteries for Household Solar Program – Delivery of Election Commitments Stream 2
This grant opportunity will deliver community batteries to support lower electricity bills and emissions support storage of excess solar energy and reduce pressure on the grid. The aim of this stream (Stream 2) is to install connect and operate community batteries in certain locations – Closes 24 February 2023
Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation Program
Funding will be from 2022–23 to 2025–26 for projects which will make better use of existing timber supplies add value to existing products create new products or reduce the industry’s carbon footprint – Closes 28 February 2023
Grants closing in March 2023
The National Intelligence Postdoctoral Grant program
The National Intelligence Postdoctoral Grant program sponsors unclassified academic research designed to achieve Australian Government objectives for research and innovation in national intelligence and security – Closes 1 March 2023
Cooperative Research Centres Projects Round 14
This grant supports short-term (up to 3 years) industry-led research collaborations that must develop a product service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs) include education and training activities – Closes 3 March 2023
Before and After School Care Fund – Transport Grant
Funds for transport solutions to improve access to Before and After School Care services – Closes 3 March 2023
Regional Jobs Creation Fund Round 3
The Regional Job Creation Fund (RJCF) Round 3 provides opportunity for existing businesses to diversify into new markets and innovate in regional NSW – Closes 6 March 2023
Disaster Ready Fund Round One 2023-24
Projects under DRF Round One 2023-24 can target a broad range of natural hazards and must fall within one of the project activity types outlined in the DRF Guidelines – Closes 6 March 2023
Playing Australia Project Investment
Playing Australia Project Investment supports performing arts tours to reach regional and remote communities across Australia – Closes 7 March 2023
Cooperative Research Centres Program Round 24
The CRC Program provides funding to support medium to long- term collaborative research for up to 10 years and helps industry partner with the research sector to address industry-identified problems – Closes 7 March 2023
Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Grants – Round 2
The Drive electric NSW EV fast charging grants will support charge point operators (CPOs) to construct fast charging stations across the state – Closes 10 March 2023
Future Drought Fund: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program
The Australian Government is inviting consortia via an open competitive process to apply for grants under the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program – Closes 15 March 2023
Investigator Grants 2023
The objective of NHMRC’s Investigator Grant scheme is to support the research program of outstanding investigators at all career stages – Closes 22 March 2023
MRFF – Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission – 2022 Mental Health Research Grant Opportunity
The Medical Research Future Fund – Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission – 2022 Mental Health Research Grant Opportunity aims to provide grants of financial assistance to support health and medical research and innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians – Closes 29 March 2023
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2024
The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities to Eligible Organisations – Closes 29 March 2023
More grant opportunities
MRFF 2022 Rapid Applied Research Translation Grant Opportunity
The 2022 Rapid Applied Research Translation Grant Opportunity is part of the Medical Research Future Fund and the Rapid Applied Research Translation Initiative – Closes 12 May 2023
Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS-B) Broadcast Rebate Program
Incentivises voluntary uptake of ADS-B equipment in Australian– registered aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to improve safety and efficiency for Australian airspace users – Closes 31 May 2023
MRFF 2022 Clinical Trials Activity Grant Opportunity
Applications to this grant opportunity must propose research that addresses one of the four Streams of research as described in the grant guidelines – Closes 28 June 2023
1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding
Tranche Two provides a subsidy for new jobs for Community Development Program participants in remote Australia to support economic development – Closes 30 June 2023 or when exhausted
Critical Producers Grant
The objective of the program is to help primary producers and primary production enterprises impacted by the February and March 2022 NSW Severe Weather and Flooding events to rebuild and recover in the medium to longer term with the aim of supporting job security, future resilience and enabling future production – Closes 30 June 2023
Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Training
The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide support for more nurses in residential aged care to access infection prevention and control (IPC) leadership training and ensure residential aged care services are well prepared to prevent or manage future infectious disease outbreaks including influenza and COVID-19 – Closes 30 June 2023
Strengthening Business
Strengthening Business is a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that connects you with experts to make your business stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future – Closes 30 June 2023
COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Phase 3
Supports Local Councils to create jobs by delivering priority local road and community infrastructure projects – Closes 30 June 2023
Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant
A range of strategies to develop and support Aboriginal people through the creation of training and employment opportunities – Closes 30 June 2023
NHMRC-Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD): Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in Cities Funding Call 2023
The objective of the NHMRC-GACD 2023 scheme is to fund implementation research focused on addressing non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors associated with city environments and related health inequities – Closes 7 July 2023
NHMRC Partnership Projects 2023
Partnership Projects will support collaborations within the Australian context that translate research evidence into health policy and health practice to improve health services and processes – Closes 29 November 2023
Youpla Group Funeral Benefits Program
The program addresses the urgent need to allow families with deceased loved ones who were insured under a Youpla Group funeral expenses policy to mourn and conduct Sorry Business with the dignity that had been intended – Closes 1 December 2023
Rural Procedural Grants Program
Support for rural GPs providing unsupervised anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery and/or emergency medicine to maintain and update their skills – Closes 1 December 2023
Linkage Projects for funding applied for in 2023
The Linkage Projects scheme supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research alliances to apply advanced knowledge to problems acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research – Closes 13 December 2023
Regional and Remote Airports Security Awareness Program
Re-imbursement based funding to support regional and remote airports to meet requirements of the Screener Accreditation Scheme – Closes 30 May 2024
Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Transition Fund
This Grant Opportunity is to assist Providers who may need financial support to adjust to the new funding arrangements under the AN-ACC without impacting on their ability to provide personal and clinical care to their residents – Closes 30 June 2024
Regional Australia Microgrids Pilot Program
In October 2020, the Australian Government announced the $50 million Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots Program (RAMPP) to support pilot demonstrations of microgrids in regional and remote areas – Closes 31 December 2026
NSW Heritage Emergency Works Grant
These grants support the protection or repairs to declared Aboriginal Places, items listed on the State Heritage Register, or items with a current interim heritage order that have been damaged by unexpected events (such as an extreme storm or accident) and where your insurance does not cover this cost – Ongoing
Advancing Renewables Program
Supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses – Ongoing
Riparian and Habitat Recovery funding
Funding of up to $18,000 is available to help landholders and community groups protect and enhance waterways, wetlands and habitat in the North Coast region of NSW – Ongoing
Regional Event Fund – Event Development Stream
The Event Development stream supports the strategic growth of proven events that demonstrate a clear rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential – Ongoing
Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
The Bridges Renewal Program (BRP) and the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) are complementary programs designed to provide funding to State, Territory and Local Governments for projects which will upgrade and replace bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access (BRP) and increase the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle operations (HVSPP) – Ongoing
Digital Lift
Digital Lift is the philanthropic arm of tech company Monday.com. They are supporting not-for-profits to get digitally connected with volunteer support, software licenses, training and grants – Ongoing
Strategic Opportunities Program
The Strategic Opportunities Program supports individual initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry – Ongoing
Australian Government’s Youth Job PaTH
Trial and hire a young person and get help with wage and training costs – Ongoing
Performers Trust Foundation
The PPCA Performers’ Trust Foundation provides grants to promote and encourage music and the music-related performing arts – Ongoing
Indigenous Travel Grants
The Travel Grants program is designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers in travelling to key international and Australian events. Professional development is a key objective – Applications can generally be made at any time at least five weeks before the event
NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package 2019-20
On 11 June 2019 the NSW Government announced additional drought assistance measures for farmers including a $350 million increase in the Farm Innovation Fund and $70 million to continue rebates on the Drought Transport Subsidy – Ongoing or until funds exhausted
Employer Incentives for Apprentices
The Australian Government offers a range of incentives to employers who hire apprentices, ranging from additional support for identified skill shortages, adult Australian apprentices, Australian apprentices with a disability and wage subsidies – Ongoing
Regional Filming Fund
The Regional Filming Fund offsets costs associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW. Regional NSW is defined as all areas in NSW outside the Sydney Metro area (excluding the ACT) – Ongoing with applications being accepted up to 4 weeks prior to the start of filming in regional NSW
Support for Startups
An initiative under the NSW Government’s Jobs for NSW program to provides capital funding through investment to support growing businesses – Ongoing
NSW Trade Missions & Exhibitions
Provides export ready NSW companies with industry exhibitions, specialist advice and networking opportunities to help them succeed in the export market – Ongoing
Early Development NSW
Provides key creatives for NSW based screen projects with funding of up to $50,000 to support screen content in the early stage of development with pre-draft and early draft costs – Ongoing
Advanced Development NSW
Provides NSW-based key creatives with funding of up to $50,000 to support screen content in an advanced stage of development including feature films, documentaries, adult and children?s TV drama – Ongoing
Awards, scholarships and opportunities
Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Prizes
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching – Closes 9 February 2023
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Teaching Prizes
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching – Closes 9 February 2023
Young Achiever Awards – 2022
Acknowledges, encourages and most importantly promotes the positive achievements of all young people in NSW & the ACT – Closes 28 February 2023
National NAIDOC Awards
Recognises the outstanding contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond, to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community, or the excellence they’ve shown in their chosen field – Closes 3 March 2023
Where To Find Grants
Government Grants
Australian Government
Grants & Programs is the assistance portal on the Australian Government’s business.gov.au site. The search feature provides access to over 600 grants that support business, local government and community. It includes incentives for research and development, support for small businesses, tax and duty concessions, and assistance for industries in transition.
GrantConnect provides centralised publication of forecast and current Australian Government grants and opportunities and grants awarded
Community Grants Hub is the Australian Government’s site for community-related grants. This can include grants for health, agriculture and landcare. Other sources of Australian Government grants
Indigenous Advancement Strategy Department of Social Services Department of Environment and Energy Australia Council for the Arts Screen Australia Community Grants Hub
NSW Government
The NSW Business Grants support small businesses to hire new employees and expand their business.
Community Builders NSW is a program which provides funding for a range of services to strengthen communities and build their capacity and is provided by NSW Family and Community Services.
Other sources of NSW Government grants
Screen NSW
Create NSW
Arts NSW
Smarty Grants
Museums & Galleries NSW
Northern Rivers Regional Councils
Funding for a range of community projects is available through Northern Rivers local councils. Information about community funding programs can be found on council websites.
Ballina Shire Council
Byron Shire Council
Clarence Valley Council
Lismore City Council
Richmond Valley Council
Tweed Shire Council
Kyogle Council
Other Grant Opportunities
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
Australian Communities Foundation
Club Grants
Northern Rivers Community Foundation
Community Broadcasting Foundation
Business Australia – Guide to NSW Small Business Grants
