Charles Sturt University (CSU) will partner with community groups under a new grants program designed to provide educational opportunities and research for rural and regional people.

CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Vann said the new Community-University Partnership (CUP) program complemented the University's mission to advance higher education opportunities and research that meet the particular needs and aspirations of regional communities.

"The Community-University Partnership program is another way for Charles Sturt University to make a tangible contribution to our local communities," Professor Vann said.

The CUP program includes grants in six categories: Rural and Regional Schools Development, Rural and Regional Arts and Culture, Rural and Regional Sports Development, 'Healthy, Active, Sporting Regions', Rural and Regional Community Integrated Research Grants, and Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement.

The grants program is open to not-for-profit community organisations such as sporting and cultural bodies, schools, health and social service organisations, faith-based organisations and local councils.

Professor Vann said CSU was proud of its history of community engagement and committed to seeking opportunities to work with rural and regional communities in the future.

 "We are proud to work with local organisations by providing access to University facilities for programs, staff participation on committees and through community based research and projects."

Professor Vann will launch another community initiative at 2pm on Monday 21 July at Joyes Hall at CSU in Wagga Wagga by unveiling CSU's new Community Portal, a website designed as a 'one-stop-shop' for the community, government and business to access information about CSU campuses, services and other opportunities.

"This website aims to make it easier for people to find out how the University is already involved in their local community and provide information about the opportunities for further engagement, such as the Community-University Partnerships (CUP) grants program and the Explorations Series of public lectures, workshops and conferences."

The University's contribution to regional development is further highlighted in the Regional Development Report 2013, which demonstrates CSU's educational and economic influence.

The report shows CSU has more rural students enrolled than any other university, has experienced almost 80 per cent growth in indigenous enrolments since 2007, and 88 per cent of rural on-campus students go on to work in rural areas.

• -The new Community Portal will be launched by Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann at 2pm on Monday 21 at Joyes Hall, CSU in Wagga Wagga as part of the 2014 Engagement Australia Conference, Engage and Innovate for Sustainability which runs from Monday 21 July until Wednesday 23 July. As host University, Professor Vann will officially open the conference from 4pm on Monday 21 July with Engagement Australia Chair Professor Pierre Viljoen. Read more about the conference in CSU News here.