Charles Sturt University (CSU) will continue two programs aimed at improving community health through active lifestyle and building Indigenous higher education aspiration in 2016.

CSU's CUP Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement Program and the CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program are small grants programs providing support for community organisation and individual initiatives.

The CUP Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement Program offers between $500 and $1 500 to support initiatives that increase higher education awareness and aspiration for Indigenous people in rural and regional communities.

Director of Inclusion and Indigenous Strategic Practice Leader at CSU, Dr Faye McMillan said "The Indigenous engagement grants are open to community organisations, schools, non-government organisations and service providers in CSU's campus footprint who contribute to building higher education aspiration among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through cultural, sporting and related activities.

"Last year's grant recipients included Murray Arts for a storytelling workshop with Dr Anita Heiss, Mount Austin High School for its students to compete in the NSW hip hop championship, the Nations of Origin rugby league sevens competition and more."

The CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program provides registered community and sporting organisations with the opportunity to request a grant of up to $1 000.

Director of Government and Community Relations at CSU, Mr Peter Fraser said, "The aim of the sports development grants is to encourage and support the participation of young people in community sports.

"Grants can be applied for to assist young rural sportspeople or teams to attend events, to assist community sporting groups to host regional, national or other one-off events in CSU's campus regions, or to provide equipment to assist young people to meet the cost of participation in sports programs."

Estimated total funding for both programs is up to $40 000, available for allocation across all CSU campus communities. Applications close on 30 April 2016 and the guidelines and application forms are available online here.