Who can apply?

The Australian Government wishes to assist Indigenous community groups through the program and preference will be given to these groups. To be eligible you must, at the closing date for applications be:

1. a legally incorporated Indigenous organisation;
2. a not-for-profit body that is legally incorporated in Australia;
3. a Traditional Owner of the subject Indigenous heritage place;
4. an individual (who is an Australian citizen), acting on behalf of the Traditional Owners or with the approval and support of the Traditional Owners; or
5. a local government authority.

I don't meet the IHP eligibility requirements. Can I still apply?

Community groups which are not legal entities must be sponsored by a legal entity (such as a local government, incorporated Indigenous organisation or regional natural resource management organisation) who can apply on their behalf. The legal entity will be legally responsible for meeting the contractual obligations of the grant.

How much funding can my organisation or I apply for?

Individuals can apply for $10,000; Incorporated not for profit organisations can apply for up to $100,000. Multiyear funding of up to $250,000 may be available for eligible organisations. Please refer to the 2012-13 Guide for Applicants for more details.

What has changed from the 2011-12 Funding Round?

Individuals can now apply for up to $10,000 and the upper limit for capital items has been increased to $5,000

How much funding can my organisation or I apply for?

Applications to the 2012-13 Indigenous Heritage Program have now closed. No further applications will be accepted.

Individuals can apply for $10,000; Incorporated not for profit organisations can apply for up to $100,000. Multiyear funding of up to $250,000 may be available for eligible organisations. Please refer to the 2012-13 Guide for Applicants for more details.

Will there be a second funding round?

No. The Indigenous Heritage Program is an annual competitive program with only one funding round. However, a small amount of funding may be available for urgent or strategic projects which may arise outside the competitive funding round. Please call the Heritage Grants team on 1800 982 280 if you have a project which might meet this criteria.

What if I can't apply online?

By phoning 1800 982 280 you can request an Information Kit which contains:

• Indigenous Heritage Program 2012-13 Guide for Applicants;
• Indigenous Heritage Program Application Forms
• IHP Fact Sheet

Applicants may also use the Application Form on this website, and either email it to ihp_grants@environment.gov.au , or mail it to the Indigenous Heritage Program at GPO Box 787, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Can Australian Government staff complete the application form for me?

No. Australian Government staff can clarify any issues you have with the application form. However, it is not their role to complete your application form for you.

My last IHP application was unsuccessful, can I get feedback?

You can get feedback on previous applications by emailing IHP_Grants@environment.gov.au or phoning 1800 928 280

Where can I find more information?

More information can be found in the Indigenous Heritage Program 2012-13 Guide for Applicants, available from the Indigenous Heritage Program web page or by phoning (toll free) 1800 982 280

How many applications can I submit?

You can submit multiple applications however, you should be aware that this is a national program and the available funds are limited. The capacity of the applicant to undertake and deliver on the project will be taken into consideration.

What supporting information do I need to provide?

You will need to include a map showing the location of your project and letters of support from land owners and relevant Traditional Owner groups. Refer to the checklist on the Application Form

Are in-kind contributions required?

In-kind contributions are not required, with the exception of projects on state or territory owned or managed lands and waters, or projects being undertaken by state or territory agencies. However, in-kind contributions from applicants and community members can demonstrate support for and commitment to the project and will be favourably considered.

Do I need to provide quotes?

Written quotes may be required for assets over $5,000 or services or supplies over $10,000. You should explain why large or significant items are required, how they will contribute to the project outcomes and how the budget costs were calculated.

Can I get an extension to submit my application?

A request for an extension will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Please contact Heritage Grants on 1800 928 280 before the closing date to discuss your request. No extensions will be granted after applications have closed.

What sort of activities can I undertake?

Lists of previously funded projects can be found on the IHP web page. Examples of the type of eligible project activities include:

• Install fencing or other protective barriers to prevent disturbance to sites.
• Stabilise sites affected by erosion.
• Assist Indigenous people to access places in order to carry out ceremonies or management practices at that place.
• Systematic surveys for heritage places.
• Detailed documentation of an individual site or sites and assessment of significance
• Develop a conservation management plan for an Indigenous heritage place/s.
• Develop a strategic plan for heritage identification assessment and management.
• Record important stories and/or prepare important stories for presentation via printed materials such as booklets and brochures, films and/or a website.

Can I get funding for projects which have already started?

No. Applications for projects already underway or completed will not be considered.

What activities are not eligible?

Please refer to the 2012-13 Guide for Applicants which lists the projects and project activities which have restricted eligibility or are not eligible under the IHP. Please note that the following types of activities are not eligible for IHP funding:

• Cultural awareness programs
• Cataloguing of collections of artefacts, documents and photos
• Bush tucker gardens
• Projects involving the public display of objects in cultural centres
• Land management activities which do not directly contribute to conservation of Indigenous heritage sites

Can we construct a building, or purchase display cabinets to protect and display our important cultural items?

No. Funding for a Keeping Place (IHP5) is for only small scale works to store secret and sacred items. We do not fund the public display of cultural items.

Can we record the stories that our Aunty and Uncle knows about our family?

No. These grants can only be used for recording stories about places and important heritage. Oral histories about families are not eligible under IHP. You can however apply for funding to record these stories under the 'Sharing Community Heritage Stories' component of the new Your Community Heritage Program.

If we get a grant, can we protect the private information we gather?

Yes. Though the IHP uses case studies to tell other people about the program, we will not share your private information without your approval. We may use case studies to show the sorts of projects that have been funded and how this has been good for communities, never the sensitive information that may have been gathered by the project.

How will I be notified that my application has been received?

If you submit an online application, you will receive an email confirming receipt and providing your application identification number. If you do not receive this notification please contact the department by phoning 1800 982 280 or email IHP_Grants@environment.gov.au

If you submit a hard copy application you will be notified shortly after the closing date, by post or email, that your application has been received.

I have submitted my application, what happens next?

The IHP is primarily a competitive grants process, and your application will be assessed by the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on how well you address each of the seven Project Assessment Criteria listed under 'What must I cover in the application' in the Guide for Applicants. Once applications have been assessed, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Population and Communities will make the final decision on which applications are successful and will announce the successful projects. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

I need to make a change to my application, what should I do?

No changes are permitted once your application has been submitted. Read your application carefully before submitting to ensure that you have completed every relevant section and that all the information is true and correct.

What are the assessment criteria?

Assessment will consider all of the information provided within your application form, taking into consideration the following criteria:

• Project summary, alignment with the IHP project categories and outcomes, and the eligibility of activities
• Significance of the Indigenous heritage place
• The need for the project
• Project Plan and Budget
• Expertise of key project personnel
• Traditional Owner support and involvement and stakeholder consultation
• Benefits of the project to the Indigenous community

The feasibility of the project, value for money, the capacity of the organisation to deliver the project, the contribution that the project is expected to make towards Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage will also be considered.

When can I start my project?

If you are successful we will send you a Funding Agreement. You should not start your project until the Funding Agreement has been signed.

When will the funds be released?

Funds will be released once both copies of the Funding Agreement have been signed and returned, and any funding conditions or milestones have been met.

How long do I have to complete my project?

You are required to complete your project within twelve months of the project commencement date.

What are the reporting requirements for the project?

The Australian Government places a high priority on monitoring and reporting for all IHP projects. You will be required to submit an income and expenditure statement and a simple project progress report on your project after three or six months. The reports should outline the activities that have been completed and how the funds have been spent. You will also need to provide a more robust final report which outlines the project outcomes. This report may be used to develop a case study for the IHP website. Audited Financial Statements which contain a Statement of Income and Expenditure on the project will generally be required.

What are the assessment criteria?

Assessment will consider all of the information provided within your application form, taking into consideration the following criteria:

• Project summary, alignment with the IHP project categories and outcomes, and the eligibility of activities
• Significance of the Indigenous heritage place
• The need for the project
• Project Plan and Budget
• Expertise of key project personnel
• Traditional Owner support and involvement and stakeholder consultation
• Benefits of the project to the Indigenous community

The feasibility of the project, value for money, and the capacity of the organisation to deliver the project, the contribution that the project is expected to make towards Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage will also be considered.

How can I contact the Department regarding the Indigenous Heritage Program?

Indigenous Heritage Program staff can be contacted by ringing the freecall number on 1800 982 280 or by emailing IHP_Grants@environment.gov.au.