Understanding  the  ‘Grant  Space’  GRANTS  CONNECTOR  –  2013  Melbourne,  25  October.  

Adrian  Spencer    

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I  want  my  share  

Am  I  missing  out?  

I  don’t  know  where  to  look  

My  compe;tor  received  funding  

I’m  finding  it  all  too  hard  

It’s  been  requested  from  above  

I  need  funding  to  proceed  

I  need  cash!  

I  need  help  Are  there  

grants  for    me?  

Why  seek  grants?  

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A  revolu;on  is  occurring  •  Time  to  learn  from  universi;es  and  community  not-­‐for-­‐profits  

•  Grants  are  under-­‐u;lised  and  misunderstood  

•  The  new  divide  

•  The  early  bird…    

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The  Facts  Federal  

•  674  grant  programs  from  Federal  and  State  

•  Worth  $50  billion  annually  

•  Funding  from  $5,000  to  $5  million  and  beyond  

•  Each  year  the  number  of  grant  programs  increases  

State  

•  53  State  Government  grant  programs  in  NSW  

•  Support  for  Innova;on;    Manufacturing;    Film;    Regional;  

Business  Support;    Environment…  

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The  4  step  grants  process  

1.   Think  right  

2.   Grant  strategy  

3.  Write  grants  

4.    Report  well  

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Funding  mechanisms  Not  all  funding  programs  are  grants:  

• Grants  • Rebates  • Tax  Concessions  and  Credits  • Duty  concession  • Vouchers  • Interest  free  loans  • Subsidised  assistance,  such  as  training  programs,  mentoring,  help  lines.  

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“I  reject  your  reality  and  subs;tute  my  own!”  

Are  grants  a  force  for  Good  or  Evil?  

The  Case  For  Grants:  

• Accelerate  current  or  future  projects  • Money  is  being  le_  on  the  table  

• If  you  don’t,  your  compe;tor  will!  

The  Case  Against  Grants:  

• It’s  not  FREE  money  

• It’s  all  too  hard:  ;me  and  effort  

• The  burden  of  winning  funds  

Doctor  Who  

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Think  Right  •  Grants  fund  projects,  not  organisations.  

•  So,  define  your  project!  

•  Can  you  afford  to  apply?      

•  Do  you  have  the  right  people,  time  and  expertise  to  apply?  

•  Can  you  afford  not  to  apply?    

•  What  is  the  grant  maker  trying  to  achieve?  

•  Be  objective;  create  alignment;  prepare  early.  

•  Why  should  you  be  awarded  funding?  

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Fruit  juice  or  water?  

•  How  do  you  think  about  your  project?  

•  Industry;  Ac;vity;  Loca;on.  

•  Think  outside  the  square:  

-­‐  Innova;on  -­‐  Environment  

-­‐  Ac;vity  -­‐  Travel  and  Overseas  -­‐  Equipment  

-­‐  Staff  and  Training  -­‐  Supply  Chain  

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The  4  Keys  

1.   Think  right  

2.   Grant  strategy  

3.  Write  grants  

4.    Report  well  

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Get  a  grant  strategy  •  Boards  are  demanding  it;  CFOs  are  adding  it  to  their  list  

•  Maximise  income  and  create  new    revenue  stream    

•  Ensures  integration  with  business  strategy  

•  It  all  adds  up  

•  Long  term  vs  short  term  

•  Increases  chances  of  success  

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Be  in  it  to  win  it!  

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Just  some  of  the  grant  programs…  Federal  Grants  

•  R&D  Tax  Incen;ve  

•  Export  Market  Development  Grant  

•  Commercialisa;on  Australia  

•  Enterprise  Connect  

•  Clean  Technology  Investment  Programs  (including  food  &  foundries)  

•  Clean  Technology  Innova;on  Program  

•  Skills  Connect  

•  Na;onal  Workforce  Development  Fund  

•  TQUAL  

•  Capability  &  Technology  Demonstrator  

Some  VIC  grants:  

•  Grow  Your  Business  programs  

•  Innovate  Voucher  Program    

•  Technology  Voucher  Program  

•  City  of  Melbourne  Grants  

•  Digital  Futures  Fund  (DFF)  

•  Inves;ng  in  Manufacturing  Technology  (IMT)  Grants  Program  

•  Manufacturing  Produc;vity  Networks  (MPN)  Grants  

•  Technology  Trade  and  Interna;onal  Partnering  (TRIP)  Programs  

•  Victorian  CRC  Bid  Support  Program  

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Phone  the  program  administrator  

•  What  type  of  specific  projects  are  you  seeking?  

•  What  size  grants  do  you  expect  to  award?  

•  How  many  applica;ons  do  you  expect?  

•  Can  someone  in  the  agency  review  a  dra_  applica;on?  •  Can  you  provide  feedback  on  our  project  or  idea?    

•  What  don’t  you  want  to  see?  

Read  the  guidelines  first.  Then,  some  ques;ons  you  might  ask:  

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The  4  Keys  

1.   Think  right  

2.   Grant  strategy  

3.  Write  grants  

4.    Report  well  

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Fund us, because we are awesome!

It’s  not  about  you  1.  Know  the  guidelines  2.  Answer  the  ques;on  and  s;ck  to  the  word  limit  

3.  Assume  no  prior  knowledge,  unless  appropriate  

4.  Set  a  realis;c  budget,  with  all  costs  and  no  errors  5.  Present  realis;c  and  measureable  ;meframes  

6.  Be  consistent  across  the  applica;on  7.  Evidence  based  applica;ons  8.  Use  suppor;ng  documents  

9.  Show  ongoing  sustainability  10. Be  honest  

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Cash  for  Biofuel  Case  Study  

The  Biofuel  Partnership  won  a  $500,000  Federal  Government  grant,  for  their  BioCube  project.  

“The  BioCube™  is  a  compact,  transportable  and  affordable  biodiesel  processor  designed  in  Australia.  It  is  capable  of  processing  over  250  litres  per  hour  of  high  quality  biodiesel  from  a  variety  of  feedstock.  Biodiesel  from  the  BioCube™  can  power  any  modern  diesel  engine.  The  BioCube™  is  a  community’s  very  own  green  fuel  station  and  by  creating  sustainable  prosperity,  the  BioCube  has  the  power  to  change  lives  for  the  better.”  

Laurence  Baum,  Biofuel.  

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Engaging  a  grant  writer  

Ques;ons  to  ask  before  engaging  a  grant  writer?  

•  Which  grants  do  you  have  experience  with?  •  What  experience  do  you  have  in  my  industry?  

•  What  is  your  success  rate?  •  How  will  you  add  value?  •  What  do  you  expect  me  to  do?  

•  Do  you  have  capacity  at  the  moment?  •  Can  I  visit  your  office?  

•  Who  will  provide  the  services?  •  How  do  you  charge  and  when  is  the  trigger  to  pay?  

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The  4  Keys  

1.   Think  right  

2.   Grant  strategy  

3.  Write  grants  

4.    Report  well  

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It  ain’t  over  yet  Unsuccessful?  

•  Don’t  be  birer  •  Call  the  administrator  and  ask  for  feedback  

•  Apply  this  feedback  to  your  next  applica;on  

Successful?  

•  Now  the  real  project  begins.    •  Be  prepared  for  the  contracts,  repor;ng  and  

acquirals.  

•  Foster  good  rela;onships  with  the  grant  makers  with  progress  updates,  feedback  and  thanks.  

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Commercialisa;on  Australia  Funding  min  

Funding  max  

Turnover  limit  

Co-­‐contribuAon  

Early  Stage  Commercialisa;on  

$250,000   $2  million   $50M   50:50  

Proof  of  Concept   $50,000   $250,000   $10M   50:50  

Experienced  Execu;ves   n/a   $350,000   $10M   50:50  

Skills  &  Knowledge   n/a   $50,000   $10M   80:20  

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Thankyou  for  your  ;me  and  aren;on  

www.grantready.com.au