As part of its efforts to improve the state of the economy and the overall development of the country, the Australian Government offers grants for research and development to criteria-matching businesses. These grants are not supposed to be repaid and they are generally awarded on a first-come-first-served basis (for eligible businesses only).

The reason the government gives away these grants is the simple fact that it understands the importance of research in the development of the economy. The government grants for research and development contribute to raising productivity as well as the living standards of the Australian population. Basically, the research and development grants are intended to encourage and help both individuals and companies to continue and enhance their research activities in a variety of fields.

Research and development grants vary from medical research to studies meant to reduce the poverty levels of the country. There are several agencies that specialise in research grants and one of the most important of them is AusAID. This is an aid programme that supports all types of research that have as a main objective the achievement of sustainable social development and the reduction of poverty in all regions of the country. Some of the research grants available through AusAID include
the Human Rights Research Grants and the Australian Development Research Awards.

Academic excellence in various research fields is rewarded with a series of government grants provided by the National Competitive Grants Program, which is developed by the Australian Research Council. This is a programme that funds research activities in a variety of fields, ranging from biotechnology to earth sciences and humanities. The government grants are awarded on a yearly basis, after a panel of global research experts review carefully each application. The aim of this programme is to nurture the skills and creative abilities of the best researchers from a wide range of Australian educational institutions.

Why does the Australian Government provide Grants for Research and Development

A four year agreement has been signed between the Wayfarer Partnership and the Homes and Community Agency to deliver affordable housing utilising over £20 million funding from the agency. This makes it the largest HCA contract to be delivered in the south of England. The bid was led by Radian Housing Group and includes a further five housing associations based in the south, which together form the Wayfarer Partnership. 

A large proportion of the government grant will go to Hampshire, which will see partners deliver around 1,300 new homes in the county. The remainder of the homes will be spread across Surrey and Berkshire and new schemes will be agreed for Sussex, Wiltshire and Dorset. 

The government grants contract has also catered for the provision of homes for older people, with 165 homes being delivered in Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey. The HCA aims to help build more than 12,700 new homes across the south and south west, with investments of more than £240m as part of the AHP. House prices are reported to be more than 12 times the average local salaries in some areas, according to HCA figures. 

According to the Homes and Community Agency their objective is to deliver 80,000 new affordable homes across England by the year 2015.

South of England receives government grants of 20 Million Pounds

Many will agree that Land O’ Lakes might not have a lot in common with the runways of Paris, New York or Milan, but dare not mention that to the ladies of Women-N-Charge.

The professional women’s organisation is playing host to its annual Tea & Fashion Show on the 8th Oct. 2011, at The Groves Golf and Country Club. The event, which features fashions from Belk, a hat contest, food and of course tea, is designed to raise money for the group’s business grants fund.

The members of Women-N-Charge are excited to give back to the community by helping two business women achieve their dreams. The two $1,000 small business grants (one in business and one in career advancement) are awarded to two female business owners, or potential business owners, in North Hillsborough County, New Tampa or Central Pasco.

Women-N-Charge is open to professional business women who own their own small businesses or those who do the marketing and sales for their businesses. The business group mentors women by building self-confidence, self-reliance, freedom and hope for a better life.

The fashion show is just a fun way to raise money for the cause. The hat contest is a unique way to make the business grants event more enjoyable and it brings out local celebrities. The judges for this year’s contest are Pasco County Commissioners Anne Hildebrand and Pat Mulieri. The commissioners will be joined by Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller Paula O’Neil as the third judge.

Tickets for the fashion show are $15 each or two for $25. The cutoff for buying a ticket was noon on 6th Oct. 2011. Tickets may continue to be sold after that deadline if they’re not sold out. The event runs from 2-4 p.m.

Presented by: Government Grants Australia

Funds raised for small business grants through a Fashion Show

Over the next century we may see some of New Zealand’s smallest glaciers disappear while others face an uncertain future according to a scientist looking into their prospects. A new study will map for the first time what chance the country’s most famous glaciers – Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman – have of surviving the next 100 years. The project is one of 88 to win $53.8 million in annual Marsden Fund government grants.

Lead researcher Brian Anderson of Victoria University’s Antarctic Research Centre who remains thankful for the government grants stated, it will take three years to predict changes in the country’s glaciers, many of which have grown in recent decades despite global warming. However according to Dr.Anderson apart from the government grants, the news is not all that good as most glaciers have stopped advancing in the past five years and are not showing any signs of staging a comeback. His best prediction ahead of his research study is that most, if not all of New Zealand’s small glaciers will be lost in the coming century.

The really important glaciers, Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman are actually relatively resilient because they start quite high in the mountains. Even then they are likely to turn into small mountain glaciers just perched on peaks according to experts. From a geological perspective, glaciers come and go but for humans and impassioned glacier researchers like Dr Anderson, the loss would be a big blow. The government grant received for this project has been inspiring to the members of the research centre.

In New Zealand especially, the glaciers are a really interesting and dynamic part of their landscape that add obvious scenic value as well as being important economically and culturally. These huge masses estimated to fill between 50 and 60 cubic kilometres attract thousands of tourists every year. The NZ Government looks forward to sustaining the tourism business and is hopeful of the results the research centre can achieve from the approved grants. Furthermore on a positive note, Dr Anderson said there was every chance New Zealand would be one of the few places on earth where a glacier could be found in a century’s time.

New Zealand glaciers maybe disappearing soon

The city of Orlando is set to hand out a new round of small business grants along the West Church Street, even as they give approval to the Magic for a study and land purchase that could wipe those businesses off the map. The city approved two government grants, FIFTEEN thousand dollars to Oopsy Scoopsy, and another TEN thousand to the Sweet Stop, both situated right across the street from the new Amway Center. They also plan to give Paradise Island Cafe a ONE thousand dollar break on permitting.

We asked the Mayor why the city would put tax money (Community Redevelopment Agency) into small businesses that could be out of business soon when the Magic finish their plans to redevelop the entire 3 block area.

“There’s no guarantee that the development we hope will happen there will actually happen there, and even if it does, it will be several years down the line.”

The 10 thousand dollars going in the form of government grants and funding to the Sweet Stop is coming from Commissioner Daisy Lynum’s District 5 budget, one she controls entirely. She believes the owners on that street are not doing well because it was overstated how things would change along the street once the Amway Center was built. Commissioner Phil Diamond agrees

Over the next year, the Magic will do a feasibility study on creating an entertainment complex, moving their corporate headquarters from Maitland to the block, and adding a hotel on the property with all the funding and grants. The new development company formed by the team and its partners now has exclusive rights to negotiate the purchase of the land from the city. The hope is that the small business grants will aid businesses in the community to sustain themselves and keep the are thriving.

Presented by: Government Grants Australia

Church Street receives more funding from City of Orlando

The State of Idaho will be receiving $292,000 in the year 2012 to help small businesses increase their exporting activities. The small business grants are targeted towards improving overall exporting and related activities in the State.

The money will be used in Idaho to help small business enterprises be part of state-led trade missions, promote exporting by participating in seminars, conferences & education.

The money is part of $30 million in government grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration for 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.

Presented by: Government Grants Australia

Small Business Grants for State of Idaho to improve exporting activities

The Obama Administration has announced the six winners of the i6 Green Challenge, an initiative to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in support of a green innovation economy, increased U.S. competitiveness and new jobs.

Projects in Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, New England and Washington will each receive up to $1 million from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and up to $6 million in additional funding and technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The i6 Green Challenge program aims at improving environmental quality and the creation of green jobs.  Improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy are major R&D goals for the 21st century. NIFA can also support the i6 Green Challenge with two Small Business Grants for Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grants.

Winning i6 Green applicants will support emerging technology-based businesses as they mature and demonstrate their market potential, making them more attractive to investors and helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas and innovations into businesses.

NIFA will provide $100,000 each in Small Business Grants Phase II to two current USDA SBIR Phase II grantees in Florida that are cooperating with the Igniting Innovation Cleantech Acceleration Network:

The winning projects of the i6 Green Challenge include:

First announced at the White House launch of Startup America in January, i6 Green Challenge focuses on promoting Proof of Concept Centers methodologies.  These methodologies support all aspects of the small business entrepreneurship process, from assisting with technology feasibility and business plan development, to providing access to early-stage capital and mentors that can offer critical guidance to innovators.

Through federal funding, small business grants and leadership for research, education and extension programs, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future.

Presented by: Government Grants Australia

Small Business Grants supports initiatives on clean energy and tackling unemployment

Hopes for an effective vaccine and treatment against the potentially fatal hepatitis C infection have received a major boost following the discovery of two ‘Achilles’ heels’ within the virus.

A team of medical researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) studied individuals at high risk of hepatitis C (HCV) infection, including a number identified within a few weeks of the onset of infection.

Using a new technique called next generation deep sequencing and sophisticated computer analytics the team, led by Professor Andrew Lloyd and Associate Professor Peter White, were able to identify the ‘founder’ virus responsible for the initial infection and then track changes within the virus as it was targeted by the immune system.

“We discovered that hepatitis C has not one but two ‘Achilles’ heels’ that provide opportunities for vaccine development,” said Dr Fabio Luciani, from UNSW’s Inflammation and Infection Research Centre and the research team’s biostatistician.

“If we can help the immune system to attack the virus at these weak points early on, then we could eliminate the infection in the body completely,” he said.

A paper describing the breakthrough appears in the leading scientific journal in the field of virology, PLoS Pathogens.

Hepatitis C virus infection is a global pandemic with more than 120 million people infected worldwide, including some 200,000 Australians. The virus causes progressive liver disease leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer. Current antiviral treatments are arduous, costly, and only partially effective. It is only with the support of several grants and funding such research and study continues.

Team member and virologist Dr Rowena Bull said the discovery of the weakest links meant vaccine researchers could now focus their attentions on the most likely avenues for success.

“The first weak point was identified at transmission, when the virus has to survive the transfer from one individual to another,” Dr Bull said.

“The second weakness, and surprise finding, was the significant drop in the diversity of the viral variants in each individual studied, occurring about three months after transmission, around the time where the immune system is starting to combat the virus. A lower number of variants means the virus is easier to target.”

Study leader Professor Lloyd said the discoveries were significant because of their potential to overcome longstanding barriers to hepatitis C vaccine development.

“To date hepatitis C has been difficult to target with single interventions because there are many different strains of the virus,” he said. “In addition, like HIV, the hepatitis C virus mutates very rapidly and exists as a complex family of mutated viruses within every infected individual, meaning the virus can avoid efforts by the immune system to keep it under control,” Professor Lloyd said.

“What’s more, a third of infected people can have an effective immune response that eliminates the virus early on. This means key initial immune responses were difficult to identify and study because early infection and elimination can go unrecognised.”

Professor Lloyd said work is now underway to identify the key immunological features of the founder viruses in order to guide new vaccines.

“Further research will test the extent of the immune response against these founder viruses in a cohort of very early infected individuals,” he said.

The research team included members from UNSW’s Kirby Institute, The University of Western Australia and Murdoch University, and was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) Program Grant and by grants from Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology.

Grants for research leads to possible treatments for Hepatitis C

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has announced the 2011 Community Building Partnership program open to applications, and local residents are encouraged to apply for a slice of the funding.

Mr O’Farrell said he was delighted to fulfil another election commitment delivering vital infrastructure funding to communities throughout the state.

“This is about helping communities move essential projects forward and improve the provision of local services with much required grants and funding,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“My Government is allocating $35 million to this initiative which means $300,000 is available in the form of grants and funding for each electoral district.

“With 93 districts across NSW this is a program that aims to support a diversity of community needs.”

The Member for Monaro, John Barilaro has welcomed the announcement as a vital means of improving community facilities in the region.

“Local jobs and community participation will also flow from projects considered eligible for funding,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I encourage community organisations and local councils to consider their eligibility for the program.

“The successful projects in Monaro will be announced by the Premier in March 2012.”

The 2011 CBP is open for applications for seven weeks and will close on Monday, October 31.

Projects must be ready to commence by mid-2012 and be completed by the end of June 2013.

NSW Premier encourages public to apply for Funding before 31 October 2011

Swimming Australia in Belconnen has this week commenced delivering much needed equipment to swimming clubs as part of the 2011 Club Equipment Grants program with over 50 clubs nation-wide set to benefit. 

Recipients of the grant include clubs in the surrounding areas affected by recent floods in Victoria and Queensland as well as smaller, regional clubs that are required to travel long distances to compete regularly. 

Eligible clubs across the country will receive one of the following items as part of the grants; a marshalling and events board, a shade marquee, a laptop with swimming-specific programs installed, 20 kick boards/pull buoys and a dry land training kit, a pace clock, an underwater video kit or a wireless timing system. 

Head coach and director of North West Aquatic Swimming Club in Victoria, Cam Nation said the equipment will make a huge difference for his club. 

“The swimmers will now be able to use the equipment at local swim meets and the benefits will not only be received by the club, but by the greater Metro West District,” said Nation. 

More than 200 clubs were put through a tough judging process which involved Swimming Australia assessing each club’s needs, and a close look at what impact the grants would have on the swimming community in that particular region. 

So far 58 clubs have been successful in their application for a grant, with the roll-out of equipment continuing throughout September. 

Swimming Australia’s General Manager of Community Sport Adam Pine said swimming clubs are the backbone of the sport. 

“We hope these grants will aid clubs in enhancing the sport for all of our members as well as the wider community,” said Pine. 

“To be able to provide much needed equipment to more than 50 clubs is a key component of our aim to grow the sport and add to the already large number of swimmers competing at a club level.” 

To qualify for the grant, clubs had to have participated in Swimming Australia’s GO Club PB program which is aimed at identifying and rewarding clubs based on measuring their service and performance across the board, not just in competition. 

Manager of Devonport Swimming Club in Tasmania Barry Pickett said the grants have been extremely well received. 

The support of the Community Equipment Grant will help reduce costs to swimmers and their parents and the money saved will allow the club to expand and provide improved facilities for its members,” said Pickett. 

“Receiving this equipment grant has allowed our club to redirect funding towards establishing club rooms at the pool, and providing facilities to encourage group exercising. The dry land equipment will give the opportunity for our swimmers to exercise and improve on their core strength and work together prior to swim training.” 

Aimed at clubs and their communities, the grants are part of Swimming Australia’s ongoing commitment to increasing the capacity of clubs and improving the equipment that is available for members. 
Swimming Australia is paving the way for the next generation of swimmers by providing clubs with necessary training equipment. The new equipment can be used as a drawcard to encourage aspiring swimmers to continue club-swimming.

Equipment Grants for Swimming Clubs in Australia