Grants

• Read the guidelines and criteria carefully and make sure you are eligible to apply.
• Applications are only accepted online using the grants application form on our website. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact office@alastairswaynfoundation.org
• We recommend composing your responses in a separate document and cut and paste into the online application to avoid the possibility of losing your work due to a dropped internet connection or accidentally closing the browser window. The narrative sections of the form have fixed word limits.
• Keep your writing style clear and concise
• Request people to read your application before submitting. (Are there any errors? Does it make sense?)
• Make sure the budget is accurate and realistic.
• Applications that are easy to read are more likely to be successful. In general applications that are poorly presented and are difficult to read will not score as well against the assessment criteria.
• If you submit your application online, you will be emailed a confirmation that it has been received.
• Check carefully on the application form which material you need to include and complete the form in full. We cannot process your application without all criteria being addressed and the right supporting material.
• You must submit your application by the deadline, applications not submitted by closing date will not be considered.

The Alastair Swayn Foundation encourages grant applications focused on architecture and design, which emphasise research and promote education, demonstrate vision and innovation, and which have potential for further development and long-term outcomes.

Founded by Alastair Swayn AO, the Alastair Swayn Foundation, was established for the public charitable objective of advancing design development, it continues to support and nurture the Australian architecture and design community by:

• Exploring, presenting and promoting Australian design and its influences
• Showcasing Australian leadership in design
• Building public awareness and appreciation of the value of design
• Stimulating and fostering research, design education and the exchange of ideas about design
• Building international design exhibition connections
• Complementing and extending the portfolio of national cultural exhibitions in Australia and overseas
• Promoting, supporting and advising on the collection, conservation and display of design records

Grants will be awarded accordingly to research, education, exhibition, or development activities, which demonstrate:

• Innovative approaches that build knowledge in design
• Implementing design ideas into practice
• Future thinking for the design industry
• Maximising national and global outreach

• Applications are considered by an internal Grant Selection Committee and recommendations are presented at the next Alastair Swayn Foundation Board meeting for final determination.
• After the Board meeting, you will be notified about whether or not you have been successful.

• You will be sent a Grant Offer and a Grant Agreement which outlines your responsibilities. Read this carefully and make sure you set up adequate accounting and reporting systems to manage the funds.
• You must sign and return the Grant Agreement and a Tax Invoice (if you are registered for GST) within 4 weeks, before you can receive the grant funds. You will also need to complete an EFT Authorisation form if your organisation has received funding for the first time or has changed bank details since last time. When the Foundation receives these documents the grant payment will be made.
• You will need to complete all Foundation Grant Reporting Requirements within the timeframe specified when you receive the grant.

The successful grantee agrees to having their research outcomes made publicly available as an open resource for the architecture and design community through the Foundation website. The Foundation retains authority to promote and circulate research funded by our grants through our platforms, while the grantee retains intellectual property rights to their work.

Foundation staff are happy to assist you. If you have any questions about Foundation grant opportunities, guidelines, application forms, or reporting requirements, please contact the Foundation at office@alastairswaynfoundation.org. Our office is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm AEST, Monday to Thursday.

All applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• The project has clearly defined aims
• The project clearly demonstrates it meets the Foundation’s objectives
• The architecture and design community benefit from this research/project
• The organisation or individual has demonstrated their capacity to successfully complete the research/ project
• The budget is realistic, balanced and complete
• The project has high academic merit

If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a Foundation grant, we encourage you to seek feedback. Please contact office@alastairswaynfoundation.org for advice and information to assist with future applications.

You must submit the CVs of those who will work on the project as part of your grant application.

You may also submit documents, images, video, URLs, and a budget in support of your application. The assessors may review this support material to help them gain a better sense of your project. If you need advice on what type of support material to submit, please contact the Foundation.

You may upload support material with your application in the following formats:

• URLs
• Video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
• Audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
• Images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
• Written material (Word and PDF)

Preferred maximum file size is 10MB, files must not exceed 25MB

We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online, please contact the Foundation.

We suggest that you apply to the funding area that seems to fit your proposal best and if necessary, our staff will redirect the application to a different funding area.

No, online applications close at 5pm (Sydney) on the closing date. Grants received after this time and date will not be considered.

No, only one application per round will be accepted from an individual, group or organisation.

No, the applicant/s must be the one/s that will run the project or program for which a grant is being sought.

No, a decision made about grants funding is final and the Foundation will not enter discussion for an appeal.

Yes, successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement, which outlines the responsibilities of the grant recipient and the Foundation.

The successful grantee is required to author a comprehensive research paper at the conclusion of their project. The Foundation would expect grantees to produce a comprehensive research paper relative to the funding amount. For example, a Research Grant would expect a paper of approximately 2,500-4,000 words, whilst a Strategic Grant would have an expectation of producing approximately 5,000-8,000 words. A project may also have complimentary output such as public presentations or an exhibition. Please note, the Foundation will consider modifications to the research output based on evaluation of the unique subject and scope of successful proposals.

Yes, successful projects are expected to have been completed within a 12-month timeframe, from the signed date on the grant agreement.

*Please note, due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, the Foundation will be open to extending this timeframe to account for the needs of projects impacted by government restrictions. The Foundation will enter a discussion with effected grantees to agree to reasonable and appropriate extensions for projects that would otherwise be disadvantaged by a 12-month timeframe.

Yes, it is a condition of your grant that you must acknowledge the Foundation’s support or your research and any output resulting from our funding.

If circumstances change during the life of the project, for example the scope of the project is modified, the project is delayed or the budget needs to be varied, the Foundation must be informed as soon as possible. The Foundation will consider all amendments to approved grants. If the requested amendment is significant, it will be considered by the Directors at the next available Board meeting.

For Research grants

Payment will be made in full to the nominated bank account of the grantee within 2-4 weeks of the research manuscript being received by the Foundation.

For Strategic grants

Partial payment of the grant will be made within 2-4weeks to the grantee upon the return of the signed grant agreement. Remaining payment of the grant will be made to the nominated bank account of the grantee within 2-4 weeks of the research manuscript being received by the Foundation.

Yes, if you cannot find the information you need on the website, our staff can be contacted by phone or email to discuss your project and application. We are happy to assist with queries regarding clarification of eligibility, and the application process.

For further information on grants funding, please contact the Foundation on 0408 833 477 or email office@alastairswaynfoundation.org.