Deadline: 17-Nov-2024
The Australian Government is accepting applications for the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program to support international students in Victoria.
The program provides funding for activities that support and promote the wellbeing of international students and enhance their experience of living in this state.
The SMIP supports post-secondary international students studying at Victorian based universities, TAFEs, private higher education and vocational colleges, English language colleges and other registered training organisations.
Aims
- SMIP’s goal is for international students to have positive, rewarding and enriching experiences during their time in Victoria. The program aims to:
- ensure all international students enjoy studying and living in Victoria and feel a strong sense of belonging and connectedness to the local community
- enable capable organisations to deliver high quality activities that improve the wellbeing of post-secondary international students living in Victoria
- fund activities that respond to emerging needs of international student cohorts
- encourage activities that place international students at the centre; genuinely involving them in the design, delivery and review of projects
- build the capacity and capability of Victoria’s education ecosystem to offer inclusive and culturally appropriate services
- increase international students’ access to mental and physical support and information services
- increase international students’ social connections and create positive opportunities for them to get involved in the local community
- support greater engagement with students studying with regional providers and remotely, with equal access to wellbeing services and empowerment programs.
Funding Information
- The SMIP provides funding of up to $75,000 for organisations working in partnership to deliver activities that support and promote the wellbeing of international students.
Eligible Activities
- Activities that may be considered for funding include:
- welfare services
- professional and financial advice
- counselling
- events
- sporting activities
- workshops
- volunteering and leadership programs
- production of information material and practice guides
- awareness campaigns and sponsorship.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for funding, your proposed activity must satisfy these six requirements:
- Promote and support the wellbeing of international students by addressing some or all of the aims of the SMIP
- Support post-secondary international students studying at Victorian based higher education institutions
- Involve collaboration or engagement with international students living in Victoria
- Offer genuine opportunities for international students to contribute to the design, delivery and review of funded activities
- Increase awareness in the community and among support services about the needs of international students
- Strengthen the capacity of services and education providers to respond to the needs of international students.
- They also encourage applications for activities that:
- will reach a large number of students and be delivered across more than one education provider (for example, more than one university, college or registered training provider, or a combination of these providers)
- are innovative in their approach and/or extend the level of support available to international students
- are designed to reach students from a number of different cultural backgrounds
- respond to the language, cultural and geographic needs of international students (for example, by addressing specific issues for students living in regional Victoria)
- support greater inclusion of women, LGBTIQA+ communities, people of colour and all faiths, people with a disability, and those from a broad spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds
- increase participation by international students in programs that improve their leadership capability and address priority issues affecting the wellbeing of international students, such as mental and sexual health, safety, employment and accommodation
Ineligibility Criteria
- This program will not fund:
- pre-existing staff and salaries
- activities designed to offset the costs of existing operations, to meet regulatory requirements, or that duplicate existing services that would best be funded by other government programs
- recurrent operating costs
- budget deficits
- capital expenditure
- competitions, commercial or fundraising activities
- expenses of overseas visitors
- alcohol purchased for functions or events
For more information, visit Australian Government.