Major Project Grant

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ESU Major Project Grant 

A grant of up to $10,000
for a project that contributes to the appreciation and promotion of the
heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples

Information and Application Form

Closing date: 15 March in the year of application
 

The English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch) (the “ESU”) was established in Melbourne in 1919. It is a non-government body, reliant on members, volunteers, supporters and donors to undertake and fund activities. Its mission is to shape the future by promoting the heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples.

The ESU shares the outlook of Winston Churchill, former Chairman of the English-Speaking Union of the British Empire, in his A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1956-58) in defining the English-speaking peoples as the people of the British Isles and their descendants who settled in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.

As a registered Australian charity, the ESU engages in and supports educational and cultural projects that relate to its mission.

The ESU invites applications from individuals or organisations for a Major Project Grant to support a project that contributes to the appreciation and promotion of any aspect of the heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples. Preference may be given to a project that is likely to deliver practical benefits.

This award provides up to $10,000 via two payments: 80% following announcement of the recipient and 20% following acceptance by the ESU of a suitable report when the project is completed.

One Major Project Grant is offered each year. Applications close on 15 March in the year of application. Decisions will normally be advised by 31 May in the same year.

1. Entry is free.
2. Entry is open to individuals who are adult Australian citizens or permanent residents and to organisations with a registered business address in Australia.
3. The ESU Major Project Grant Application Form must be completed in full.
4. Applications for retrospective funding (for expenses that have already been incurred) will be ineligible.
5. Applications for recurrent funding (e.g. for licence fees for software) are unlikely to be successful, unless the recurrent element forms a minor component of the whole application. 
6. The ESU may use relevant material provided in the application for media and promotion.
7. By applying for an ESU Grant, the applicant agrees to participate in media publicity and promotion associated with the Grants, including the use of photos submitted or taken at any Awards presentation ceremony.
8. Applications for the Major Project Grant close on 15 March in the year of application.
9. The winner of a Major Project Grant will be requested to acknowledge the ESU’s support in any publication (print or online) arising from the Project.
10. The winner of a Major Project Grant will be required to provide a report following completion of the project (or an agreed stage of the project). The report must be in writing and may be supported by a video presentation. The report may be used by the ESU for public relations and future marketing purposes.
11. 20% of the Major Project Grant will be paid after the report is accepted by the ESU.
12. The decisions of the judging panel are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Applications should follow these guidelines:

1. A separate written outline should detail the proposed project to be undertaken. The outline should not exceed three A4 pages in length and should explain the nature and duration of the project, its aims and objectives, any methodology or research techniques (if applicable) and the applicant’s capacity to undertake the project. Where relevant, important references to other publications in the field should be cited so the judging panel can relate the importance of the application to the field in general.
2. Video presentations of no more than three (3) minutes providing a summary of the written application and relevant photographs or pictures are optional but will be accepted.
3. In all documents provided for this application, please use Arial font no smaller than 11 point.
4. Please write precisely and concisely.
5. Organisational applicants should provide a copy of (or a URL for) the organisation’s most recent Annual Report.
6. Individual applicants should provide a separate written CV that outlines past/present studies, work experience, awards, personal and professional development activities, and career path.
7. Individual applicants must provide a certified copy of proof of their Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency status. (See: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/certifiedcopies for advice on how to obtain certification of original documents.)

To assist individuals and organisations in drafting their applications, we provide HERE a Word version of the Information and Application form. Please note, however, that each application must be submitted using the online form, below.

The judging panel is appointed by the ESU Council and reserves the right to decide not to award any Grant in any year.

The Major Project Grant is for up to ten thousand ($10,000) dollars payable by electronic funds transfer.

The ESU will pay 80% of the Major Project Grant at the time of announcing the winner. The residual 20% will be paid upon acceptance by the ESU of a suitable final report.

The judging panel may award a runner-up grant of up to three thousand, five hundred dollars ($3,500).

All applicants will be offered a complimentary twelve (12) month ESU Social Membership.

Click HERE to access the Application Form
for the ESU Major Project Grant

Receipt of succesfully lodged applications will be automatically acknowledged upon submission. 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process with the winner/s featured on the ESU website.

Winner/s will be invited to attend a presentation ceremony at a date to be confirmed.

It is acknowledged that in administering the Bursary, the English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch) will need to collect personal information from the applicant. The ESU is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals. Click HERE to read the ESU Privacy Policy.

Please note that our preferred method of correspondence is by email to awards@esuvic.org.au.