* Federal Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie today launched the CSU $100,000 Community-University Partnerships (CUP) program for 2018 in Orange. * Up to $20,000 available across five different categories - arts and culture, education, sport, indigenous programs as well as grants to support small community initiatives. * Minister McKenzie who was joined by Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee MP also inspected the dentistry and allied health teaching facilities at CSU Orange.Federal Minister for Rural Health, Senator Bridget McKenzie today launched Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) 2018 $100,000 community grants program for Orange and the NSW Central West.“I am delighted to be here with my colleague, the Federal Member for Calare, Mr Andrew Gee to launch Charles Sturt University’s community grants program that provides vital support to local community groups across Orange and the Central West.“This program by CSU supports the development of our regions with grants going to community groups and initiatives across arts and culture, education, sport, indigenous programs as well as discretionary grants for small community initiatives.“I applaud this fantastic initiative by CSU and I encourage members of the Orange and the Central West community to apply,” Minister McKenzie said.Acting CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Toni Downes, said, “The CSU program provides grants from as little as a few hundred dollars, up to $20,000. It’s important that CSU can support a diverse range of initiatives that strengthen our regional communities.“Given that winter is just around the corner, we have opened this year’s grant program with the Rural and Regional Sports Development round first and the other grant programs will open in a rolling fashion throughout the year,” Professor Downes said.Minister McKenzie also toured the University’s Orange site with Mr Andrew Gee MP to inspect the University’s quality teaching facilities and the dentistry and allied health courses offered at CSU in Orange.Applications are now open for the 2018 CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program with the others to open one after the other.Further information, application packs and program guidelines can be found here.