Contestable funds

Enhanced Programme Fund

Eligible applicants

This fund is now closed for new applications.

Purpose of fund

Schools that had a disproportionate number of students with moderate special education needs were eligible to apply for a supplementary grant called the Enhanced Programme Fund (EPF).

These students were not to be receiving targeted funding support from any other source and schools had to demonstrate that these students had been identified and some intervention arranged prior to application.

The EPF was a supplementary grant which applied to a group programme, not to an individual student. Where there was a number of students in a cluster who met the criteria, the cluster could make application to the EPF.

Timeline

In December 2009 the Government decided to reprioritise the use of The Enhanced Programme Fund (EPF) to support the implementation of the Positive Behaviour for Learning Action Plan. As a result, no further applications or agreements will be made for EPF.

Further information

www.minedu.govt.nz/epf

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Extending High Standards Across Schools (EHSAS)

Extending High Standards Across Schools (EHSAS) is to be discontinued from the end of December 2009 as a result of Government reprioritisation. There will be no further rounds.

Purpose of fund

Extending High Standards Across Schools (EHSAS) is designed to raise student achievement by promoting excellence among New Zealand's schools. Funding is made available to successful schools to improve student outcomes by developing and extending their proven practice in collaboration with other schools in a self-selected cluster. The emphasis is on developing professional networks and improving the evidence-base around what works to improve student outcomes.

The principles behind EHSAS are to raise student achievement by promoting excellence in the school system and supporting high standards. EHSAS projects can run for up to four years and schools can only be involved in one EHSAS project at a time.

Further information

www.minedu.govt.nz/extending

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Funding Pool for Developing Gifted and Talented Students

Eligible applicants

This fund is open to application from schools, clusters of schools, and not-for-profit community groups and national organisations.

Purpose of fund

Students who exhibit characteristics of giftedness or talent have learning needs that are significantly different from those of other children. They require different learning opportunities and may need emotional and social support to realise their potential. The funding pool for developing gifted and talented students is made available to schools and organisations that recognise these needs and wish to develop strategies to support gifted and talented learners in their community.

Timeline

The Ministry is currently reviewing its support for gifted and talented students. Decisions regarding possibilities for a new funding round will be made by the end of Term 1, 2009.

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ICT Professional Development

Eligible applicants

This fund is open to applications from clusters of schools.

Purpose of fund

Clusters of schools across New Zealand receive funding to carry out professional and school development programmes in the use of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) in teaching, learning and administration. Each cluster has a lead school, or schools, responsible for leading and managing the programme for their cluster. The lead schools in clusters are contracted for three years, subject to annual review, and receive $120,000 a year, payable at the completion of milestones and the acceptance of milestone reports.

Timeline

We are currently accepting applications for this fund. Applications must be received by Monday 10th August 2009. We will begin negotiations with successful applicants from September to December 2009.

Further information

www.minedu.govt.nz/ICTPD