AIM Grants FAQs

  • GISA
  • AIM Grants FAQs
  • FAQs about Applicant Eligibility

  • FAQs about Project Eligibility

    • I have a draft project proposal but I’m not sure it’s eligible. Can someone provide feedback?

      Yes. Program staff are able to provide feedback on draft project proposals.

    • I supply resource efficiency equipment and offer assessment services. Will my project proposal be acceptable as part of an application by an eligible business?

      No. Assessments must be undertaken by independent and impartial service providers with no perceived bias towards recommending specific equipment.

    • I supply waste management infrastructure (bins, balers) and offer assessment services. Will my project proposal be acceptable as part of an application by an eligible business?

      No. Assessments must be undertaken by independent and impartial service providers that have no perceived bias towards recommending specific equipment.

    • There’s another Grant offering similar support, which one should I choose?

      If another program offers funding for the same activity, applicants should consult with GISA Program staff to determine which is the most appropriate to pursue for funding support.

    • Can I use a service provider or consultant from outside South Australia?

      Yes, however South Australian owned/operated service providers are preferred.

      Use of non-South Australian service providers will only be considered in cases when the applicant can demonstrate equivalent expertise does not exist, or is otherwise unavailable within South Australia at the time the project is scheduled to commence. Valid reasons for using non-SA service providers may be related to: availability for project delivery in the required timeframe; existing and positive relationships with the service provider; alignment of core values that is not found amongst SA service providers; specific expertise does not exist or is unavailable within SA at the required time.

    • What’s meant by “suitably qualified and capable, independent and impartial service provider”?

      ‘Qualified and capable’ refer to service providers – typically known as consultants – having relevant qualifications, skills and experience to deliver your chosen project. This should be demonstrated in their project proposal, such as providing CVs of relevant staff, examples of similar projects that staff have delivered (preferably with testimonials from previous clients), and in some cases, samples of previous reports delivered to clients.

      ‘Independent and impartial’ refers to service providers that do not have a vested interest in delivering the project, or a bias towards any recommendations they make (for example, they should not be selling or otherwise benefiting from the sale of equipment they are recommending). Projects that lead to additional consultancy-style work being delivered by the service provider may be acceptable.

      Where there is a perceived benefit or bias by the service provider for promoting or selling other (non-consultancy) goods, they would not be considered ‘independent and impartial’ to the project outcomes. Service providers should provide a range of options, impartial and unbiased information to enable you to choose the best outcome.

    • Why do implementation activities need a payback greater than two years to be eligible for funding?

      Activities with a positive impact that will pay for themselves in two years or less make good business sense, and should be implemented as part of ‘good business practice’ (a government subsidy should not be required for those type of investments).

    • Why do energy assessments require a higher co-contribution?

      Energy assessments typically identify a range of no-and-low cost improvement opportunities and positive business cases for investing in other improvements, meaning your investment in an energy assessment makes ‘good business sense’ (with or without a grant). GISA’s main focus is on materials efficiency and waste management, noting that an energy assessment may be bundled into a broader, more holistic review of resource efficiency which may qualify for the higher subsidy (2:1, GISA:applicant).

    • Why can’t I have implementation funding for energy-related improvements?

      Many opportunities identified through an energy assessment present a strong business case for investment on their own, and it makes ‘good business sense’ to invest in those opportunities, without the need for a subsidy. GISA’s funding provides an incentive for investing in more challenging circular economy opportunities that may not have as strong or well understood a business case.

    • Can ‘funding to implement’ be used towards the purchase of new bins?

      Possibly. To be eligible for implementation funding, activities must document in assessment reports to (i) have a payback greater than 2 years AND (ii) have a direct link to reducing materials or resource intensity for the production of goods/services, and/or increase waste diversion from landfill AND (iii) must reduce reliance on virgin materials.

      If the cost of bins outweighs the total savings achievable (by way of reduced collection fees) over two years AND the bins will enable greater diversion of landfill that what has been achieved in the past AND Grantees commit to other activities that will reduce reliance on virgin materials (such as purchasing less, purchasing recycled-content products), consideration will be given to providing funds towards the cost of new bins.

    • What’s meant by “upgrade or modernise existing equipment or infrastructure”?

      This forms part of the eligibility criteria for implementation funding. It means that funds will not be provided for activities deemed by GISA to be general maintenance or repair of existing equipment or infrastructure.

    • I want to investigate ways to deal with my food or organic waste – would that be an eligible project?

      Projects that focus on solutions for food and/or other organic waste will only be considered for funding if current practice is sending organic waste to landfill for disposal, or stockpiling; or if GISA deems that the proposed investigation or solution would place the treatment of organic waste higher on the waste management hierarchy than current practice.

    • Can funds be used to cover travel-related costs?

      Travel costs billed to applicants by service providers engaged for project delivery may be covered at the absolute discretion of GISA. Applicants are encouraged to seek remote (online) facilitation from service providers based outside of South Australia whenever practical.

      Travel costs incurred by applicants will not be funded (nor will wages, salaries, and other operating costs like rent, electricity, water, waste and other utilities – grant funds must be used to cover consultant fees and implementation activities, as agreed with GISA).

    • Can I use funding to cover my own costs, or does it all need to go towards consultant fees and implementation?

      Grant funds must be used to cover consultant fees relating to an assessment, and implementation activities as agreed with GISA. Funds cannot be used for applicants’ operating costs, wages or salaries.

  • FAQs on How to Apply

    • How do I get an application form?

      Contact Program staff.

      Potential grant applicants must discuss their project prior to receiving an application form. The purpose of discussion is to determine if the potential applicant and the suggested project are eligible for grant funding; to help ensure funds will be available at the time of application; to assist in developing and/or refining the project scope; facilitating connections to appropriate project partners (if necessary); to understand the motivators (key drivers) for the project; and to demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to project delivery.

      The outcome of discussion can save wasted time and effort on submitting applications that are ineligible. It may also assist in developing a project that more closely aligns with funding criteria, and better reflects the challenges (barriers) and opportunities (benefits) that may be available to the target audience.

      Refer to How to Apply section for further information.

    • What’s the closing date to apply? Is funding still available?

      There are no funding rounds or closing date by which to apply. Grant applications may be accepted throughout the fiscal year in accordance with budget availability and funding guidelines (note that funding guidelines are typically updated annually).

      In the event the Program is oversubscribed, funds have been exhausted, and/or funding guidelines change, GISA will notify known potential applicants, and relevant information will be removed and/or updated on the GISA website. If funds are available in a subsequent fiscal year, GISA may consider the application for another year.

      Contact Program staff for the latest information on budget availability.

    • Can I submit more than one AIM Grant application?

      No. Funds will only be provided for one project/application at a time (funds will not be allocated for projects that are scheduled to run concurrently). Therefore you must choose one project as the subject of a single application. If you have more than one project in mind, contact Program staff for assistance in determining which project may be more applicable.

  • FAQs on What to include in an Application

  • FAQs about the Assessment Process

    • Is this a competitive grant application process?

      No. Grants are offered on a demand-basis and in accordance with budget availability. All eligible applications will be considered for funding approval. In the event that all funds are committed, eligible applications may be considered for funding approval if there is budget the following fiscal year.

    • Who will assess my application? Is there an assessment panel?

      Green Industries SA staff assess applications for eligibility, and in accordance with other aspects listed as Assessment Criteria. There is no dedicated assessment panel. If deemed relevant and/or necessary, staff may consult with other government agencies as part of the assessment and evaluation process.

    • How is my application scored? What minimum score do I need to achieve to be considered for funding approval?

      Applications are not scored: they are checked for applicant and project eligibility; they must meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for funding approval; and they must be deemed sufficient against the Assessment Criteria (as per AIM Grant Guidelines) to be considered for funding approval (subject to budget availability).

    • Am I guaranteed to be awarded a Grant if I submit an application?

      No. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding approval.

      Funding may be offered to applications that align with Program aim, objectives and outcomes, meet all eligibility criteria and rate highly against the published Assessment Criteria. Successful applicants will be selected on merit at the absolute discretion of GISA.

  • FAQs about the Funding Agreement

  • FAQs for consultants - What to include in a proposal

    • What do you mean by “breakdown of project costs by activity and personnel”?

      We need to understand how you calculate project costs. The simplest way to do this is to divide the costs between key activities and staff/personnel time. This should be included in your proposal.

      A sample is provided below as a guide to the type of information required – it does not contain actual project information, therefore your proposed activities and costs are likely to be different.

    • What do you mean by “referenced data sources”?

      Assessment reports must include information on where / what data has been used as the basis for reporting and developing recommendations. Valid data sources may include utility bills/invoices for a specific period of time; real-time monitoring and/or observation during a specific period of time; conversations with staff (noting which staff and when they were consulted); internet or other written sources of information; quotes from equipment suppliers.

    • How do I prove that I’m “suitably qualified and capable, independent and impartial”?

      ‘Qualified and capable’ means you have relevant qualifications, skills and experience to deliver the project. This should be demonstrated in your project proposal, such as providing CVs of relevant staff, examples of similar projects that staff have delivered (preferably with testimonials from previous clients), and if relevant, samples of previous reports delivered to clients. You should also indicate your availability to complete the project in a suitable timeframe (to be determine with your client).

      ‘Independent and impartial’ means you do not have a vested interest in delivering the project, or a bias towards any recommendations you make (for example, you should not be selling or otherwise benefiting from the sale of equipment you recommend). Projects that lead to additional consultancy-style work being delivered by you for the client (in the absence of further GISA funding) may be acceptable.

      Where there is a perceived benefit or bias by you for promoting or selling other (non-consultancy) goods, you would not be considered ‘independent and impartial’ to the project outcomes. You should provide a range of options, and impartial and unbiased information to enable clients to choose the best outcome suited to their circumstances.

    • Is there a report template? Do I need to prepared lengthy, detailed assessment reports?

      No. GISA does not provide a report template and does not mandate lengthy, detailed, technical reports to be produced. GISA requires sufficient evidence that demonstrates service providers have exercised due diligence in the collection and analysis of data to inform their recommendations. This may be achieved by providing a combination of the minimum reporting requirements (refer to section titled Reporting) as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, and/or pdf files, with a copy of raw data and analysis (as Microsoft Excel or similar files); or as otherwise negotiated, agreed and documented in writing by GISA and your client.

      GISA requires draft reports to be submitted for review (as MS Word files, after the client has reviewed the draft and their feedback incorporated). All reasonable requests for amendments must be made and incorporated into final reports for them to be deemed satisfactory and for grant funding to be provided to your client.

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