Before you begin
Before completing a Professional Development (PD) Grant application:
✓ Read the Information Guide.
✓ Check that your idea aligns with the purpose of the grant.
✓ Contact the Grants Team if you are unsure.
What you'll need
Your application asks you to describe:
Your organisation
Tell us about:
- your organisation
- your connection to Adult and Community Education
- the organisations involved in the professional development.
Your professional development activity
Describe:
- what you want funding for
- who will participate
- what participants will learn
- who will deliver the professional development
- when it will occur
- how you will evaluate its success.
The difference it will make
Explain:
- how it will improve Adult and Community Education
- how it will improve learner outcomes
- how it supports collaboration
- how it will reduce barriers for priority learner groups
- how it aligns with the Tertiary Education Strategy.
What makes a strong application?
Successful applications clearly explain the difference the professional development will make.
Describe the need
Instead of:
We want funding to run three workshops.
Try:
Four Adult and Community Education providers have identified a shared need to strengthen educator capability in supporting neurodivergent adult learners.
Describe the learning
Instead of:
Participants will learn about inclusion.
Try:
Participants will develop practical strategies they can immediately apply to improve learner engagement and participation.
Describe the benefit
Instead of:
This training will help our staff.
Try:
Educators will use the strategies developed through the professional learning to improve learner participation and reduce barriers to learning.
Describe the collaboration
Instead of:
Other organisations may attend.
Try:
Four providers will jointly plan, participate in and evaluate the professional development, ensuring learning is shared across organisations.
Budget guidance
Provide a realistic budget that clearly explains each cost.
Eligible costs may include:
- facilitator fees
- venue hire
- catering
- domestic travel
- evaluation
- workshop resources.
Show how each amount has been calculated.
Example:
| Item | Calculation |
| Facilitator | 2 days × NZ$900 = NZ$1,800 |
| Venue | 2 days × NZ$350 = NZ$700 |
| Catering | 25 participants × NZ$25 × 2 days = NZ$1,250 |
Also explain:
- any cash contribution from participating organisations
- staff or volunteer time
- venue contributions
- administration support
- how any funding shortfall will be met.
Before you submit
Before submitting your application, check that you have:
✓ answered every question
✓ attached any required information
✓ completed the budget
✓ included two referees
✓ signed the declaration.
What happens next?
- Applications are received.
- Applications are checked for eligibility.
- Eligible applications are assessed by the Grants Panel.
- Funding decisions are made.
- Applicants are notified of the outcome.
Funding decisions are generally made within one month of the closing date.
Contact us
Questions are welcome before you apply.
If you're unsure whether your idea fits the purpose of the grant, please contact us. We'd much rather discuss an idea before an application is submitted than have you spend time preparing an application that isn't eligible.
Email: grants@aceaotearoa.org.nz
Phone: 04 473 6625