Stage 2 – Update

Stage 1 EIF EOI closed for submissions on 4 November 2011. It is anticipated that stage 2 will open for shortlisted applicants in middle January for a close on 7 March 2012.  We recommend not waiting until then as it takes more than 6 weeks to prepare a competitive application.

During EIF Stage 1 closing and Stage 2 opening applicants should consider completing:

• EFTSL forecast modelling
• Course demand
• Financial modelling
• Regional economic impact assessment ($ per EFTSL)
• Signed collaboration agreements (Signed MoU)
• Detailed budget
• Architectural drawings
• Building space allocation
• Quantity surveying
• Stage 2 application

The Education Investment Fund

The Education Investment Fund (EIF) is one of three Nation-building funds established by the Nation-building Funds Act 2008.

The role of the EIF is to build a modern, productive, internationally competitive Australian economy by supporting world leading, strategically focused infrastructure investments. The EIF Regional Priorities Round (in draft mode) is being conducted differently from the previous rounds of the EIF to reflect its particular focus and purpose.

The purposes of this round will be met by concentrating investment in the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors. It is expected that future rounds of the EIF will return to the established process of inviting applications for funding for projects that create or develop higher education, VET and/or research infrastructure, including from research institutions beyond higher education institutions.

Use of Funding

EIF funding under the Regional Priorities Round is primarily available for projects that create or develop higher education teaching and learning infrastructure or VET infrastructure.

EIF funding under the Regional Priorities Round is also available for research-related capital costs that are integral to a proposed teaching and learning or VET infrastructure project. Funding for projects which support research-related activities is only available where such a connection is established.

The purposes for which EIF Regional Priorities Round funding can be used include but are not limited to:

• constructing a new building or purchasing, refurbishing or extending existing infrastructure. This might include; building activities required to design and construct new facilities or refurbish existing premises; direct building costs associated with the construction of new facilities and the upgrading of existing premises (for example building, plumbing and electrical costs); purchase of an existing property, and/or purchase of land.
• purchasing, refurbishing or installing equipment essential to a project and any subsequent commissioning of that equipment.
• purchasing or refurbishing equipment that supports and enables teaching and learning, for example, technical equipment or information and communications technologies.

Non-capital costs equivalent to not more than 5% of the EIF Regional Priorities Round funding sought may be considered for activities that are required to set up any structures needed to manage the infrastructure, for example professional fees, governance structures, and legal fees related to the establishment of a business. Reasonable contingency fees (equivalent to not more than 5% of the funding sought) for possible cost escalations may also be included in EIF Regional Priorities Round Applications.

EIF Regional Priorities Round funding is not available for operational costs or minor capital works, maintenance projects, recurrent funding, or any projects outside the tertiary education sector.

EIF Regional Priorities Round funding for staff or student accommodation will only be provided where it can be demonstrated that the accommodation is integral to achieving the outcomes of a broader higher education or VET project and it can be demonstrated that the accommodation cannot be funded from other sources (such as by partnering with private sector organisations or from the applicant‟s own funds).

Funding is to create or develop infrastructure. EIF Regional Priorities Round funding will not be provided for infrastructure that has already been purchased or completed, or for servicing debt associated with past infrastructure expenditure.

Funding for the EIF Regional Priorities Round is strictly limited to a five year period, from financial year 2011-12 to the end of financial year 2015-2016.

Closing Time

EIF Regional Priorities Round Stage 2 applications must be submitted:

• electronically, via TED Online, by 3.00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Wednesday 7 March 2012; and
• by posting or delivering ten (10) hard copies of the application (identical to that submitted electronically) which must be received by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations by 5.00 pm AEDT on Wednesday 14 March 2012 .

Further Assistance

We have raised over $50 M for clients  through the Education and Investment Fund (EIF). We have a 100% success rate. Call us on 03 9005 6789 to see how we can make your EIF Regional Priorities Round application more competitive.

The Government announced in May 2009 that it would provide $400 million over four years, commencing in 2010, to assist universities to prepare for the new operational requirements of a demand driven funding system which will have new quality measures.

The SAF will provide funding support to eligible institutions to enable them to make the significant structural changes necessary to operate in a demand driven funding system.  This funding support will help institutions refocus their activities and missions in ways that will improve their long term sustainability and the quality of their teaching and learning.

These structural changes include the creation of new models of higher education institutions and formalised collaborations between higher education institutions and TAFE institutes.

Expected outcomes

In order to be considered for funding support, applications for structural adjustment projects must demonstrate that the project will contribute significantly to achievement of both of the following outcomes for the institution:

• Improved financial sustainability: institutions and campuses having the size, market alignment and agility necessary to be sustainable in a student demand driven funding environment; and
• Improved quality of teaching and learning provision: quality higher education provision regardless of student location and the mode of delivery of courses.

What is ‘structural adjustment’

For the purposes of the SAF, ‘structural adjustment’ means:

• consolidation of higher education institutions or campuses; and/or
• significant collaboration with TAFE institutes and/or other universities; and/or
• significant changes in the focus, organisation or operation of institutions or campuses; directed at achievement of the outcomes specified above.

Structural adjustment projects should not include recurrent expenditures unless expressly permitted by these guidelines.

SAF Stage 1 – Competitive funding round

On 19 July 2010, the SAF Program Administrative Guidelines were released and the competitive funding round opened. Applications for Step 1 of the competitive funding round closed on 8 September 2010.

To date, $6.9 million has been allocated under Step 1 of the competitive funding round while some universities have been invited to participate in Step 2 of that round.

• SAF Program Administrative Guidelines ( PDF 335KB | RTF 282KB)

Key dates for stage 1 – the competitive funding round:

SAF Stage 2 – Directed funding round

The Minister has directed DEEWR to invite a number of universities, which were unsuccessful in SAF Stage 1, to redevelop their unsuccessful application and apply for SAF funding in SAF Stage 2.

On 9 March 2011, the SAF Stage 2 Procedures and Instructions were released and the directed funding round opened.

Participation in SAF Stage 2 is by invitation only.

• SAF Stage 2 Procedures and Instructions ( PDF 496KB | RTF 4.0MB)

Key dates for Stage 2 – the directed funding round:

We have extensive experience with SAF bids. Contact us if you require assistance with your EIF application.