Contestable funds
The following is a list of contestable funding pools available from the ministry. Contestable funds target specific educational priorities and assist schools to carry out work additional to their required scope of activities.
Enhanced Programme Fund
Eligible applicants
This fund is open to applications from schools and clusters of schools.
Purpose of fund
Schools that have a significant number of students with moderate special education needs on their roll are eligible to apply for a supplementary grant called the Enhanced Programme Fund (EPF). These students must not be receiving targeted funding support from any other source and schools must be able to demonstrate that some intervention has been arranged for students prior to submitting an application.
The Enhanced Programme Fund is a supplementary grant which applies to a group programme, not to an individual student. Where there are a number of students in a cluster who meet the criteria, the cluster may make an application to the EPF.
Timeline
The Ministry is currently reviewing the future directions for EPF. Applications for EPF are not being accepted for 2009/10. More information about this fund will be posted when it is available.
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
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Innovations Pool for Students At-Risk
Eligible applicants
This fund is open to applications from schools and clusters of schools.
Purpose of fund
The Innovations Pool for Students At-Risk provides funding for innovative projects designed to improve educational outcomes for students at-risk. Proposals may be from individual schools, groups of schools or from other providers working in partnership with schools. The fund also provides money to applicants to assist with the development of proposals.
Timeline
Applications for this fund are currently closed. Information regarding the next round of applications will be available in early 2009.
Further information
www.minedu.govt.nz/atrisk