New South Wales public school students will have access to some of the boldest and most innovative wellbeing programs, thanks to a new $2.5 million Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund.
The Fund will have two streams for grants:
- Capacity building funding for providers who want to scale or deliver their wellbeing programs in schools.
- Seed funding to providers to research, create, develop and test new approaches to supporting and addressing student wellbeing issues.
Grants of up to $200,000 will be available, depending on the scale of the project.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Fund will act as an incubator for organisations developing programs or seeking to expand programs supporting student wellbeing.
“There is no one-size-fits all solution for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people. That’s why it’s so important to give schools an opportunity to address local issues affecting their students through the bespoke programs this fund will help grow,” Ms Mitchell said.
Ms Mitchell said the Fund will provide a pathway for wellbeing providers to establish a more comprehensive evidence base and be eligible as a Department of Education Quality Assured wellbeing provider.
“We know in this ever-changing world, schools often have to find innovative and agile ways to support our students to thrive as confident, successful and lifelong learners,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This Fund will give providers the opportunity to support schools in innovative ways.”
Applications for the first funding round will open in early 2023.
