Supporting the University’s engagement with the communities it serves

The Community Engagement Grants Scheme (CEGS) provides funding to UOW staff and students for collaborative projects that are predominately service-orientated, consistent with the University’s Community Engagement Priorities and have a clear community benefit.

Each year approximately $50,000 is awarded to educational, research or outreach projects that involve UOW staff and/or students collaborating with a community partner.

Established in 2005, approximately $300,000 has been awarded to 40 projects to date. Funded projects have produced strong community outcomes such as reading resources for community language schools; the first comprehensive report on needs of children with disabilities in the region; a short film acknowledging Dharawal Country, created in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community; and the creation of a range of multimedia legal advocacy resources for young people and a project aimed at improving the nutritional status of older clients of Meals on Wheels services.

Round 7, 2011 - Successful projects announced

A Presentation Breakfast was held at the University of Wollongong on 6th September to announce the recipients of funding for the 2011 round of the Community Engagement Grants Scheme (CEGS). 

This year six collaborative projects were selected for just over $52,000 in funding from 21 applications.  The six grant recipients will receive up to $10,000 each to support educational, research or outreach projects which enhance the University’s engagement with its communities. The following projects were selected for funding in the 2011 round:

• “Beating breast bounce: an educational resource on breast support for high school students.” UOW Project Team - Dr Deirdre McGhee, Prof Julie Steele, Dr Bridget Munro Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences and Jenny Vatovec Faculty of Education. Community Partners – St Mary Star of the Sea College and Keira High School.
• “Creativity and expertise: documenting and publishing the life and work of the late Janet Cosh.” UOW Project Team - Jean Clarke and Kris French Faculty of Science. Community Partners – Janet Cosh Herbarium, South Coast Writers Centre
• “Engaging smart kids in the University: A pilot program for high school students.” UOW Project Team – Prof Wilma Vialle and Sarah Smith Faculty of Education. Community Partners – NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children, Illawarra Schools and families.
• “Dementia Online Illawarra: Innovative approaches to supporting the information needs of Dementia service providers in the Illawarra.” UOW Project Team – Lyn Phillipson and Donata Palinkas Centre for Health Initiatives, Peter Samsa Australian Health Services Research Institute and A/Prof Helen Hasan School of Economics. Community Partners - Illawarra Forum, Illawarra Dementia Services Network, Alzheimer’s Australia, NSW.
• “UOWTV/Vibewire: Shoalhaven Media Makers.” UOW Project Team – Shawn Burns and Jo Stirling, Faculty of Creative Arts. Community Partners - Vibewire Youth Inc and High Schools in the Shoalhaven (supported by UOW Shoalhaven Campus)
• “Sustainable Community Garden Education Project.” UOW Project Leader – Glen Moore, Science Centre & Planetarium. Community Partner - The Disability Trust’s Illawarra Vocational Services.

Application Process

Applications are invited each year of the Scheme around May and awarded in September. Detailed selection criteria and information regarding submission can be found in the separate Community Engagement Grants Scheme Guidelines below. More information on the 2012 round will be provided shortly.

Applying & Guidelines	Applying for a Community Engagement Grant is a two step process. Stage 1 Read the Community Engagement Grants Scheme Guidelines Complete the Application Form (RTF) and supply 8 copies for the Assessment Panel by deadline. Stage 2 (selected applicants only) Short-listed applicants will be contacted in mid-August and may be invited to provide more information to the Assessment Panel to support their Application. Successful applicants will be announced in early September. Project leaders and their community partners will be invited to a Presentation Breakfast where grants will be presented and successful grant applicants will be asked to provide a brief overview of their Project.
Contact Us	Keirin McCormack Community Engagement Officer Office of Community and Partnerships Phone: +61 2 4221 2518 Leanne Newsham Community Engagement Manager Office of Community and Partnerships Phone: +61 2 4221 3110 Email: community@uow.edu.au
Past Recipients	2011 Recipients 2010 Recipients 2009 Recipients 2008 Recipients 2007 Recipients 2006 Recipients 2005 Recipients
Related Information	UOW Vision and Strategic Plan Conditions of Grant Form

Links to Past Projects

• The first comprehensive report into current and future needs of children with disabilities in the Illawarra was developed as part of a 2005 project, led by the Faculty of Commerce and Disability Trust. Read more
• A range of reading resources were developed as part of a 2006 project, which involved the development and sharing of skills, resources and expertise between Community Language Schools and the Faculty of Education staff and students. Read more
• A range of multimedia legal advocacy resources were developed as part of a 2007 project led by former UOW student Gabrielle Watts. Read more
• Collaboration between the Physiotherapy Department at Wollongong Hospital, The Disability Trust and Dr Sim Lau from UOW’s Faculty of Informatics, led to the development of a DVD resource kit to help children with cerebral palsy reach their full potential, as part of a 2008 Project. Read more
• A short film acknowledging Dharawal Country and accompanying protocols were created by the Faculty of Commerce in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community, as part of a 2009 Project aimed at actively engaging staff and students in the traditional practice of acknowledging Country. Read more