Applications open for ACCAN $250,000 Grants Scheme
20 February 2012 at 12:21 pm
The 2012 round of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) Grants Scheme has opened with $250,000 in funding available for consumer-focused telecommunications research and consumer education or advocacy tools.
Now in its third year, the ACCAN says its Grants Scheme funds projects that help to work towards ACCAN’s vision of affordable communications services for all Australians.
ACCAN says that projects should focus on creating versatile resources for communications consumers and/or a strong evidence base for ACCAN's telecommunication consumer advocacy activities.
ACCAN chief executive Teresa Corbin said that last year the scheme attracted 71 applications for a “really wide scope of activities”.
“Funded projects had one common goal in mind and that’s making the telecommunications market work for consumers,” she said.
Corbin said that examples of previous work include a joint project with Swinburne University, Central Land Council and the Centre for Appropriate Technology that undertook research into home internet models for remote Indigenous communities, which was subsequently awarded funding by the Australia Research Council (ARC); a youth advocacy project led by the Brotherhood of St Lawrence; and consumer resources on social media accessibility for people with disability by Media Access Australia.
The ACCAN Grants Scheme carries an annual budget of $250,000 and accepts applications during one round each year. The 2012 round closes on April 2.
Projects will be assessed by an Independent Grants Panel which will make recommendations to the ACCAN Board with an announcement about funded projects to be made in June 2012.
ACCAN is the peak body that represents all consumers on communications issues with the aim of working towards availability, accessibility and affordability of communications services for all Australians.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding amounts appropriate to their project to a maximum of $60,000.
“The work that comes out of these projects is quite unique and we’d encourage everyone with a great idea to get in touch with the Grants team to discuss it,” Corbin said.
