NSW Government grants provide financial support through a variety of program types and assessment processes.
To help you write and edit grants in our template, we have listed out some best practice examples of different kinds of grants.
These examples are still of use for agencies publishing grants in OneGMS (SmartyGrants) because both platforms use the same design model.
Grants defined by their processes
The Grants Administration Guide outlines 6 types of grant processes:
Open, competitive
Applications must be submitted by a specified date. Eligible applications are then assessed on their comparative merits against nominated criteria.
Example:
Clubgrants Category 3 grants: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund/clubgrants-infrastructure
Use the regular Grants template to create your competitive grants in the CMS.
2. Targeted, competitive
Open to a smaller number of potential grantees based on the specialised requirements of the grant activity.
Examples:
Fencing and Biosecure Grant (EOI process): https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/fencing-biosecure-grant
Activating State Heritage Grant (EOI process): https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/activating-state-heritage-grant
Use the regular Grants template to create your competitive grants in the CMS.
For two-stage EOI style grants, you would use it for the initial application process.
3. Closed, non-competitive
Applicants are invited to submit applications that are assessed individually, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications.
Examples:
Australian Satellite Manufacturing Hub: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/australian-satellite-manufacturing-hub
Use the non-competitive Grants template to create your closed, non-competitive grants in the CMS.
4. Open, non-competitive
Applications are assessed individually against the selection criteria, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications.
Examples:
Small business rebates: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/1000-safework-small-business-rebate
Fish stocking matching grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/two-dollars-for-one-dollar-native-fish-stocking-program
Use the regular Grants template to create your open, non-competitive grants in the CMS. This is because if there is an application process, it will need the 'apply now' button linking to the online application form.
5. Demand-driven or ‘first-in, first-served'
Applications that satisfy stated eligibility criteria are approved, up to the limit of available funding.
Examples:
Natural Disaster Relief Grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/natural-disaster-relief-grant
Special Disaster Relief Grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/special-disaster-relief-grant
Electric Vehicle Destination Charging Grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/electric-vehicle-destination-charging-grants-round-1
Use the regular Grants template to create your demand-driven grants in the CMS.
6. One-off or ad hoc grants
Grants determined on an ad hoc or targeted basis, usually by Ministerial decision (also referred to as Ministerial discretion).
Examples:
Premier's Discretionary Funding: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/premiers-discretionary-funding/2022-23-premiers-discretionary-funding
Minister for regional Health Discretionary Fund: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/minister-for-regional-health-discretionary-fund-2022-23
Use the non-competitive Grants template to create your one-off or ad hoc grants in the CMS.
Grants defined by their program type
Another way to define grants is to look at the type of program they are funding.
For example, is the grant funding an infrastructure project or a service? Or is the money to be used for events? Some grants might be defined by an education, community or location-based focus.
The following examples of best practice grants are listed by their key focus area (often found in the Program Objectives or in the Eligibility criteria for a particular grant).
Infrastructure grants
- Clubgrants Category 3 grants: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund
- Sports infrastructure grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/female-friendly-community-sport-facilities-and-lighting-upgrades-grant-program
Social programs and services grants
- Reducing social isolation for seniors: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/reducing-social-isolation-for-seniors-grant
Events-focused grants
- Seniors Festival grants: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program/seniors-festival-grants-category-3 nb these are split into 3 categories for each funding level/audience type
- Holiday programs: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/office-for-regional-youth-holiday-break-program-autumn-2023
- Women's Week: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/nsw-womens-week-grants
- NAIDOC Week: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/aboriginal-affairs-2023-naidoc-grants-program
Education and training grants
- Before and After School Care (BASC) Innovation Grant: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/before-and-after-school-care-basc-innovation-grant
- Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/student-wellbeing-innovation-fund
Community and cultural grants
- Aboriginal Affairs NSW Cultural Grants Program: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/aboriginal-affairs-nsw-cultural-grants-program-2022/2023
- Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grants Program: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/volunteering-diversity-and-inclusion-grants-program
- Sexual Violence Grants Program: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/sexual-violence-grants-program
- Youth Opportunities grant applications: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/youth-opportunities-program/youth-opportunities-grant-applications
- Aboriginal Languages Revival Program https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/aboriginal-languages-revival-program
Location-specific grants
- Event Development Stream https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/event-development-stream
Head to the Grants page for more articles on editing your grants, or adding recipients so they appear on the funding finder.