Energy Efficiency Information Grants

The Australian Government released "Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program Guidelines" on 9 February 2012. The program is for industry associations and non-profit organisations to provide energy efficiency information to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and community organisations. The Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program opens for applications on 13 February, closing 16 March, with decisions to be announced April 2012, and projects to complete by June 2015. Grants will be $100,000 to $1M, with more possible for "... where a proposal demonstrates exceptional value for money ...". An applicant must be an industry association or professional institute, or a non-profit organisation. The applicant can partner with a government agency, research
institution, training provider, trade union or company. There is also the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program and the Community Energy Efficiency Program.

1.2 Objective of the program
The Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program will assist industry associations and non-profit organisations provide practical, tailored energy efficiency information to SMEs and community organisations.

The objective of the program is to empower SMEs and community organisations to make informed decisions about energy efficiency.

Energy saving results may become apparent immediately in some cases, but in others awareness of the opportunity will be the first step to reducing energy costs.

Successful projects under this program will provide quality information that comes from a trusted source and is delivered in a manner that meets the needs of a time poor audience. A message that penetrates to decision makers is key in this difficult to reach part of the community.

Merit, as judged through a competitive process, will be the primary consideration when awarding grants. However, the program also aims to achieve a diffusion of benefits across a range of business and community released on sectors and into remote and regional settings.

The program will directly support the research, development, dissemination and evaluation of energy efficiency information by trusted sources. Financial assistance for energy efficiency retrofits and equipment upgrades is beyond the scope of this program. ...

From: "Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program Guidelines", Australian Government, 9 February 2012.