Deadline: 1 October 2020
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canberra, Australia, welcomes project proposals for initiatives focusing on Dutch-Australian Underwater Cultural Heritage.
The Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), together with the Central Government Real Estate Agency (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for the management and preservation of Dutch shipwrecks located outside the Netherlands’ territorial waters.
The Dutch-Australian underwater cultural heritage programme also focuses on shared military underwater heritage in Australian waters, dating back to World War II, when the Netherlands and Australia were allies in the Pacific War.
The Shared Cultural Heritage Programme enables the Agency to develop and support projects focused on maritime archaeology. Activities include training, research and advice. To both the Dutch diplomatic missions and the RCE, international cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field of maritime heritage are of great importance, as they are crucial factors in the management and preservation of this unique heritage.
All project applications will be assessed by the Embassy and the RCE, in consultation with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, which administers the Australian Government’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 and who leads Australia’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Program with the States, Northern Territory and Norfolk Island.
Funding Information
The financial contribution requested from the Embassy should be between $3,000. and $25,000. AUD.
Project Criteria
- The project commences after 1 March 2020 but before 1 December 2020 and will run for a period not exceeding four years;
- The project contributes to collecting and enhancing knowledge on Australian-Dutch maritime heritage;
- The project contributes to knowledge exchange;
- The project contributes to capacity building of professionals in Shared Cultural Heritage (SCH) partner countries;
- The project creates awareness and knowledge about Australian-Dutch maritime heritage, mainly among an Australian audience;
- The project will be conducted in accordance with international best practice as outlined in the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage – Annex Rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage;
- The project has a long-term impact;
- The project promotes cooperation between Australian and Dutch counterparts;
- The project promotes skill sharing and professional development opportunities, and hands-on marine educational opportunities for learning and participating in maritime archaeology and maritime history;
- A strong joint communication strategy is part of the project planning;
- If applicable: involvement from key stakeholders and the community to ensure the project can continue after Embassy funding ceases; and
- The project has a clear outcome with tangible results.
Optional Criteria
- The project presents opportunities for trilateral cooperation;
- Public-private partnerships and private sector involvement, e.g. through sponsoring or advertising.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grant applications must be submitted by a professional, non-commercial Australian organisation that is not dependent on the financial contribution for its core funding;
- The applicant uses the application form for Shared Underwater Heritage projects 2020, provided by the Embassy;
- The applicant works together with a Dutch project partner based in the Netherlands;
- The cooperation is based on equality, reciprocity and respect for ownership;
- The application form should be accompanied by a written confirmation from the Dutch counterpart(s) confirming that the application has been drawn up in mutual agreeance;
- The applicant must take into account the requirements of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 (Underwater Heritage Act) that protects shipwrecks, submerged aircraft and other underwater cultural heritage and their associated artefacts, that have been submerged for 75 years;
- The financial contribution from the Dutch government will in principle not exceed 60% of the total project budget. The financial value (or a fair estimate) of any in-kind contributions (such as expertise, equipment, office space and PR) may be included. Please note, overhead costs will not be funded.
How to Apply
Applications have to be submitted by filling out the application form available on the given website.
Application form have to be signed and the original application form sent to the Embassy by post at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/372HbTp