1. NALSSP - Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools
Maximise your application’s chances

2. Grants available
There are 4 areas of funding (a total of $62.4 million) associated with this program over 4 years:
Funding for state and territory government and non-government education authorities
The Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Fund available to organisations, including universities, higher education providers, businesses and Asian communities
Australian Government National Projects – National projects totalling $3.12million over the three years.
Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to schools – A direct outreach program of grants to schools run by the Asia Education Foundation  2

3. Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools (BAL) – overview
The Becoming Asia Literate: Grants to Schools is a key component of the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) and is managed by the Asia Education Foundation on behalf of the Australian Government.
Languages and cultures of China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.
$6.24 million to primary and secondary schools
3 annual competitive funding rounds between 2009 and this is the second round.
To assist schools to promote the teaching and learning of Asian languages and/or the studies of Asia of China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.
Schools can apply for grants of $ to $ 3

4. Key Dates and documents
Applications open online 9am EST 4 May 2010
Applications close 5pm EST 28 May 2010
Grants announced September 2010
Summary of key points (also leads to other weblinks)
Program Guidelines (general only)
Application website 4

5. Key points
Must be around the 4 cultures of China, Indonesia, Japan or Korea (but can be wider than these)
Can be for Studies AND/OR languages
Emphasis is on new school based initiatives or to include new audiences
Minimum of 12 months for each project
Good whole school change – with a range of actions not a narrow focus.

6. Key points Support the key results (see handout on wiki)
Flexible delivery and pathways
Increasing teacher supply and support
Stimulating student demand
Specific objectives:
innovative high quality teaching and learning programs that have the potential to extend beyond the boundaries of the school/s
Support flexible approaches to delivering continuous and sequential programs, which could include the use of information communication technologies
Build teacher confidence and expertise in the teaching of Asian languages and/or studies of Asia
Build student demand for Asian languages and studies of Asia, through programs that involve contact with schools and students in the target Asian countries such as virtual linkages or in-country study experiences

7. Amounts of grants/eligibility
Up to:
1 school = $20K;
2 schools = $25K;
3 schools = $30K;
4-5 schools = $40K. 5 schools maximum in a cluster.
Unsuccessful previous grants can use their original login details to access and use their previous application as a guide. But you cannot just resubmit the original application.
Successful BAL grant does not preclude a school from any state/territory programs, so long as it is NEW, and not just a duplicate.
A previous successful BAL grant does preclude you from a further application.

8. Applications
Only one application from a school can be made – either as an individual school or in a cluster.
Applications will all be done on-line; it can be stored, edited etc on line during the process.
The specific guidelines will be available from 9am May 4 on the AEF website.
Each state has its own allocation of money according to ABS figures, thus schools will be competing within the state for the money.
Schools need to identify a local need that supports change strategies that focus on the Key Result Areas of NALSSP. Schools should gather evidence at the school or cluster level that clearly identifies the need that is informing the proposal.

9. Applications Projects could include the following:
Professional learning for teachers and school leaders in Asian languages and studies of Asia
Development and use of online or virtual learning environments
Community outreach/advocacy initiatives
Curriculum mapping and writing
Curriculum resource acquisition
Electronic linking with schools in the Asian region
In-country study scholarships for students (note travel is strictly limited to students; grant funding is not intended to support travel by teachers or principals without accompanying students.)
Supporting sister school relationships
Supporting the transition of students from primary to secondary school (middle school initiatives)

10. Applications
12 questions in the application form, 10 of which will have criteria to be used by the selection panel in the selection process
Schools (from the government and Catholic sectors) must also nominate a person from the region or diocese to oversee the project.
Project leader from the lead school and a deputy project leader (doesn’t have to be from the lead school) must also be named.
Asset purchases in the grant will be restricted to no more than $5000 in each application (school or cluster)
If you are successful in one of the rounds, you can’t apply in other rounds, unless it is a new project.
Learning 21 Century Schools Victoria (L21CSV) will need to build on, extend or have a new idea than their L21CS grant.

11. Selection criteria
Demonstrated need - clearly outline the evidence gathered to support the need and relate to the stated project objectives and state priorities.
Project objectives relate to the general BAL objectives; there is a link between the project objectives, and school/cluster and sector/state education priorities.
Project description: high quality and achievable project that is a new or expanded initiative to include new audiences (students, teachers and parents). The project clearly outlines how effective school change strategies, including those that address pedagogy, school-based curriculum development and implementation, and professional learning, are included. It is clear how the project will be led and managed in collaboration with those involved, and how the project budget will be acquitted.

12. Selection criteria
Project outcomes are clearly identified and relate to the project objectives. The project outcomes are measurable and the evidence to be collected is clearly outlined.
Commitment to disseminate outcomes and learning is a clear indication of how the project outcomes will be shared beyond school/cluster boundaries.
Project action plan and timeline clearly outlines major activities related to effective school-based curriculum development and implementation. The project action plan is clearly achievable within the timeline.
Effective and efficient project budget that is clearly only committed to the project action plan, represents value for money and only allocated to approved items. The project budget does not include funding for completed projects, ongoing support or recurrent funding for existing projects.
Evidence of support from school principal(s) is clearly outlined together with a statement about how the project outcomes will be sustained beyond the life of the grant period.

13. Top Tips
Do NOT leave your application to the last week (and especially the last day)
Ensure your project has sustainability beyond the funding period
Be clear and specific – supply what is asked for!
Don’t go overboard on jargon
Adhere to the guidelines (eg don’t put in teacher study tours or hardware more than $5000)
Have a team put this together – plan early, not as you type in the application! – it helps implementation too.
Don’t be restricted by the suggestions – be creative and truly innovative – think beyond the obvious.

14. Other useful documents

15. Victoria Studies of Asia wiki
Information about Studies of Asia can be found most readily on this website.
The Leading 21st Century Schools Victoria (L21CSV) program has a direct link from this site.
Access can also be found to complimentary programs including
scholarships for study tours,
Subsidies to upgrade qualifications to Masters of Education and
Professional Learning opportunities for teachers and principals
A new cohort for principals will be sought in Semester 2, 2010
Victoria Studies of Asia wiki

16. Asia Education Foundation
For teachers eg English
Asia Education Foundation

17.
DEEWR - NALSSP

18. What is an Asia-literate student?
Understand ‘Asia’
Developed informed attitudes and values
Know about contemporary and traditional Asia
Connect Asia to Australia
Communicate
Develop intercultural skills and understandings to engage in diverse cultures at home and abroad
Communicate in one or more Asian languages
See the National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools 18

19. This program is available to Victorian Principals through the Studies of Asia wikisite and the DVD is available from the AEF
Show DVD to 2.56