VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants Grant Guidelines

Transcription

1 VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016

2 Overview of Coding and Robotics Grants program Reflecting the themes outlined in The Next Horizon: Vision 2017 for Public Libraries, funding of $200,000 is now available to deliver coding and robotics programs through public libraries across Queensland. The focus on coding and robotics also aligns with the Advance Queensland policy platform of the Queensland Government. The aim of the coding and robotics grants is to: 1. Increase the skills of library staff and the community to experiment with and learn to use new technology. 2. Enhance community awareness of libraries roles, skills and services. 3. Support the development of innovative public programs. 4. Develop new relationships in the community (e.g. schools, youth groups) by using new technologies to engage with more diverse community members. Rationale Public libraries play a key role in the digital literacy learning ecology, and provide an informal, non-academic and non-judgmental environment for everyone in a community to learn, play and create. Coding and robotics are part of the growing global trend in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) field and many people in communities, including children, young people, families and seniors, are keen to keep up to date with developing technology. Coding and robotics public programming should be designed to enhance public libraries role as a free community hub for digital engagement, exploration and skill development. The skills learnt in these areas support creativity, critical and design thinking, and the development of innovation and entrepreneurialism. Grant applications should be structured around creating new digital library services and programs that enable online and onsite participation by the community, build skills in new technology, profile the library as an innovative hub, provide a new program and attract new partners and/or participants. Eligibility All Queensland Local Government Councils which operate a public library service or an Indigenous Knowledge Centre are eligible to apply for grant funding. Grant amount Local Government library services (Applicant) can apply for a maximum grant amount of $10,000 (GST exclusive). Requested grant funding should reflect the amount of money that will enable the Applicant to deliver public programming in selected coding and robotics platform/s, taking into account the costs of staff training and delivery, marketing and promotion, and postage, and the selected number of public programs to be delivered. In the online grant application form, the Applicant should use the Coding and Robotics Grants Calculator to determine the total grant funding requested. VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016 Page 2 of 6

3 Some pre-determined values are used in the formulation of Total Grant Funding Requested in the Coding and Robotics Grants Calculator. These include an average cost of postage per item of $10, a cost per hour of staff time to deliver the program of $40, and the length of program of one hour. Any further cost for postage and staff time incurred beyond the values provided in delivering coding and robotics public programming is the responsibility of the Applicant. An allowance of $1500 in total is included in the calculations of each grant application and will be included in the figure shown at Total Grant Funding Requested on the Coding and Robotics Grants Calculator. This includes $500 for staff training, $500 for marketing and promotion, and $500 for consumables. Any further cost for staff training, marketing and promotion, and consumables incurred beyond $1500 in delivering coding and robotics public programming is the responsibility of the Applicant. Activities/expenses not eligible for funding This grant cannot be used for the following: core library operating and administration costs, including current core training programs; library furniture (new or replacement); staff wages greater than of the grant amount; retrospective deficit funding (funding of past library projects). Selection criteria Applicants will be required to provide responses in the online grant application form to the required selection criteria, as outlined below. Applicants must provide a maximum of 400 words per criteria, with each criteria given equal weighting in the assessment of applications. Skills development Community awareness Innovative public programs New relationships and diverse community members Extent to which the project supports the development of new skills for library staff and community members. Extent to which the project raises awareness of the changing role of public libraries. Extent to which the program is innovative in the community. Extent to which the program develops new relationships or partnerships in the community and attracts new participants. Assessment of applications Applications for funding will be assessed against the selection criteria by an Assessment Panel with appropriate knowledge and expertise. Assessment is based on the information provided by the Applicant, including supporting material. As the number of applications may be high, not all applications that are assessed as meeting the criteria will receive funding. In assessing applications, consideration will also be given to: VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016 Page 3 of 6

4 the total amount of funding available; a relative comparison to other similar project proposals received; the need to ensure a fair distribution of funding across Queensland, in metropolitan, regional and remote areas. State Library may elect to fund only a portion of a project, and reserves the right to negotiate with applicants in relation to project scope, budget items, level of contribution and costings. The number of grants awarded and amount awarded for each grant is at the discretion of State Library of Queensland. Reporting requirements Successful applicants must provide an acquittal report which will be formalised in the Grant Agreement (on a template supplied by State Library) no later than 1 month after the completion of the project. Application process and timelines* Stage Date Announcement of grants 30 January 2016 Grant documentation available 30 January 2016 Grant applications open 24 February 2016 Grant applications close 24 March 2016 Grant assessment process April 2016 Successful applicant notification Week of 2 May 2016 Grant agreements sent May 2016 Grant agreements signed by Council due 26 May 2016 Grant announcements June 2016 Grant payments 23 June 2016 *Grant acquittal due 1 month after project completion date *These dates may change without consultation or notice. ** Extensions to these dates may be negotiated under exceptional circumstances and by agreement with State Library. Submitting an application Local Governments may submit one application only which may cover one or more library service points within the Local Government area. Joint applications across one or more Local Government areas will be accepted if evidence of collaboration is provided with the application. VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016 Page 4 of 6

5 All applicants must use the online grant application form available from 24 February 2016 to 25 March Sections 1-5 are to be completed by a relevant library staff member; Section 6 Declaration, must be completed by the Council s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or other authorised delegate. Applicants do not need to complete Sections 1 5 in one go (applicants can save the application at any time, and come back to complete it at a later date). Please note: The first time applicants save their application form, the system will generate an (with completed form details) that will be sent to the nominated address. This will be sent only after the first time the application is saved; applicants will need to return to the to log back into the partially completed application form. Applicants will be able to upload/submit attachments to support their application in Section 5 (this section is optional). This will be a simple process, but will require applicants to have the documents saved on their computer, or accessible on a storage device. Once sections 1-5 are completed, the form will need to be saved and forwarded with instructions onto the CEO or other authorised Council personnel to compete Section 6 Declaration. Once the declaration has been completed, Council s CEO or authorising officer can submit the application. All Applicants must complete all required sections of the online form. If details are missing, further information may be sought as necessary. Late applications will not be accepted. Notification All applicants will be notified in writing no later than 6 May 2016 regarding the outcome of their application. Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on their application. There is no course for applicants to appeal the results of the evaluation process or the decisions made in awarding grants. State Library will make publicly available the results of this grants round on websites and in media. Payments Successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with State Library which will detail the obligations of both parties and the agreed timelines for delivery and acquittal of the project. The grant payment will be made in one lump sum to the Applicant within 28 days of receipt of a signed Grant Agreement from successful applicants. Grant payments do not attract GST. Funding provided under this grant program is not recurrent funding and success in this grant process does not provide any ongoing funding for the Applicant. Funding acknowledgement Grant recipients must acknowledge the Queensland Government s financial assistance to the project in the manner described on the funding and grants funding acknowledgement webpage. As a minimum, publicity material relating to the approved project must include the following words: This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland. VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016 Page 5 of 6

6 If the Applicant holds a local event in conjunction with the project (e.g. local launch, announcement, celebration or other public event) Council is required to extend an invitation to (at a minimum): Queensland State Government Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business; CEO/State Librarian, State Library of Queensland. Showcasing excellence State Library is committed to recognising and celebrating excellence in library innovation, and fostering a learning culture that supports sharing best practice. All grant recipients are requested to share information about their projects in one or more of the following ways: an article or written case study published on Public Libraries Connect website or in Public Libraries Connect newsletter linking to Council s resources; a presentation to library professionals at physical or online forums to showcase funded projects (attendance and travel costs are not funded by State Library); loan resources and equipment to other public libraries. Further information It is recommended that applicants contact the following State Library staff prior to submitting an application to discuss ideas and seek initial feedback about the eligibility of their application. Please contact: Regional Partnerships State Library of Queensland Tel: regionalpartnerships@slq.qld.gov.au VISION 2017 Coding and Robotics Grants 2016 Page 6 of 6