• Grants of up to $1,000 on offer in the 2021 Charles Sturt University Community-University Partnership Grants program
• Support available to community groups, schools, and individuals across Charles Sturt’s footprint
• Applications for first round open on Wednesday 24 March and close Wednesday 28 April

Applications for the 2021 Charles Sturt University Community-University Partnership (CUP) Grants program will open on Wednesday 24 March 2021.

Grants are available to provide grassroots support to community groups, organisations, schools and individuals in and around Charles Sturt’s regional communities: Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Dubbo.

Groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $1,000 for the following categories:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Sports development
• Arts & Culture
• Education development
• Environmental sustainability

Charles Sturt Pro-Vice Chancellor, Community and Global Engagement Mr Tom Burton said the CUP Grants program is designed to support the development of the region through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities.

“The CUP Grants program aims to build higher education aspiration and understanding, particularly among young people in rural and regional communities,” he said.

“2020 was a particularly difficult year for a lot of community groups - and of course we’re seeing this continue into 2021, with the addition of the terrible floods.

 “These circumstances are impacting many regions in NSW and causing many community initiatives, such as fundraising events and gatherings, to be cancelled.

 “We are proud to offer support across our region to help these very-deserving groups in 2021.”

The 2020 program supported 55 groups across the state, a wide variety of organisations and initiatives including breakfast programs in schools, STEM workshops to inspire the scientists of tomorrow and defibrillators to improve safety, the CUP Grants program aims to reach every corner of the community.

 “The application process for the grants program is very straight forward, so if you know an organisation, sporting club, community group or individual in our region that is doing great work within the community, tell them about the CUP Grants and encourage them to apply for some financial support,” Mr Burton said.  

Applications for the CUP Grants can be made via the 'Grants' page on the Charles Sturt website and will close on Wednesday 28 April.

For more information, please contact community@csu.edu.au.