The Australian Government has provided $60 million over four years for the Digital Regions Initiative from its initial response package to the Regional Telecommunications Review and the Rural and Regional National Broadband Network Initiative.
The aim of the Digital Regions Initiative is to co-fund innovative digital enablement projects supporting improved education, health and emergency services in regional, rural and remote communities.
The Digital Regions Initiative will support projects which will deliver innovative and sustainable services such as those that will:
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boost innovation in healthcare by enabling services such as remote consultation, diagnosis and treatment in areas of specialist skills shortages - extend digital education services to enable more regional, rural and remote communities to access improved educational opportunities
- increase the use of digital technologies to improve emergency and disaster response both within and across state and territory borders.
Who is eligible to apply?
Lead applicants for funding under the Digital Regions Initiative Round one must be eligible state, territory or local government entities as follows:
- state and territory government departments and agencies
- state and territory owned business enterprises
- local government
- local government business enterprises
- business enterprises or other entities jointly owned by state and territory governments and local governments, e.g. new entities or entities owned by and representing a group of state, territory or local government entities, o
- local government and municipal associations
What funding is available?
The indicative range of Australian Government funding that may be provided for a particular project under the Digital Regions Initiative Round one is $2–7 million (GST exclusive). Applicants will be required to provide matching contributions.
Projects may include the following types of activities:
- digital technology applications
- costs associated with the introduction of digital applications, including change management
- enhancement to capabilities of existing network infrastructure
- network engineering and improvements that ensure an efficient and effective network
- associated capital equipment (servers, network hubs and connectivity elements).
How will projects be selected?
Projects will be selected through a competitive selection process. Applicants for Digital Regions Initiative Round one funding should address their project proposals against the selection criteria listed below.
In responding to these selection criteria, applicants should have regard to the Digital Regions Initiative’s aim and principles and address all parts of each selection criterion. The selection criteria are weighted equally.
- Selection criterion 1: Project outcomes and benefits
- Selection criterion 2: Innovative and complementary services
- Selection criterion 3: Demand
- Selection criterion 4: Technical characteristics
- Selection criterion 5: Financial planning and sustainability
- Selection criterion 6: Management and organisational structures
Full project proposals are to be lodged by 14 October 2009.