How to apply for funding

We prefer not to accept applications submitted via post. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact the SDSS team on (07) 3513 6743.

An application cannot be amended, corrected, updated or changed once it has been submitted. If you wish to update your application once it has been submitted but the closing date has not yet passed, you can submit a whole new, updated application and request to withdraw the original one by emailing sdss@qed.qld.gov.au.

You may receive a request from us during the assessment of your application to provide additional information or clarification.

Operational costs directly related to the services being proposed will be considered for funding. Please refer to the SDSS Program guidelines and funding request templates for more information.

Please contact the SDSS team before the closing date and we can provide information on interpreting the SDSS Program guidelines and about the types of activities that are relevant to each of the funding categories.

Please note that we are not able to talk through the details of an application or to provide advice that may be perceived as providing an unfair advantage to one applicant over another.

You will receive an email notification that your application has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few days, your application may not have been submitted successfully. Please check your junk mail or contact us to discuss.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately 12 weeks after the closing date. Please see the SDSS Program guidelines for an outline of the assessment process and timeframes.

Applications will be assessed on merit and scored against the criteria outlined in the SDSS Program guidelines.

The first funding payment is expected to be made by March 2025. Please see the SDSS Program funding payments and reporting schedule (2025–2027) which outlines the timing for funding and reporting.

• The application forms set out the required information, including the required templates for funding requests and schools and student data.
• Be clear about the nature of your services and outcomes—lengthy applications may not score well when compared to other applications.
• If we can't form a clear picture of what you plan to achieve, it will reduce your chance of success.
• Have a person not involved in your services read your application before it is submitted to make sure they understand the services clearly.
  
• Avoid acronyms
  
• Think about how you will measure and evaluate the services. Consider whether the methods are rigorous and will stand up to scrutiny.
• Make a plan and don't leave it until the last minute.