Want more info before you apply? Check out the answers to our frequently asked questions below and don't forget to read the Terms & Conditions before you send in your application.
To make it easier we've grouped our answers loosely in the following areas:
| Applying | Shortlisting | Money, Money, Money | Intellectual Property | Getting more info |
Who can apply?
Anyone with a good implementable idea from anywhere in the world. The competition is open to any individual, group or organisation with a bright idea. However, all ideas must primarily benefit a community within Australia. top
I am not Australian. Can I still apply?
Yes. You do not have to be Australian to apply but your idea must benefit a community within Australia and you are required to have an Australian Business Number (ABN – see What if I don’t have an ABN?). top
What kind of projects can enter?
You name it. We are interested in everything from ideas through to piloted projects that deal with all the different areas that affect communities. This can include ideas dealing with employment, education, health, youth, indigenous affairs, governance, environment, technology, communication and more. If you’re really not sure whether your idea is appropriate just shoot an email to Erin Green (Challenge Project Leader) and she’ll talk it through with you. top
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. You may submit multiple entries, however each entry should be distinctly different from any other entry(ies). top
What if I’m under 18?
The project leader (the designated project contact) must be at least 18 years of age when the entry is submitted - they'll be the ones we hand over the cash to if you're shortlisted (and if you're one of the winners). So if you’re under 18 you’ll need to look at engaging someone over 18 to work with you on the project or ask an organisation to partner with you and help manage that side of things. top
What do you mean by impact?
By impact we mean both how your idea addresses a social need and therefore how your idea will make better lives for the individuals or communities your project will work with. top
What do you mean by measure/evaluate impact?
So you’ve told us how your idea will impact on the individual or communities your project will work with but how can you prove it? That’s what measuring and evaluating impact is all about. Finding ways to get both qualitative (stories/ feedback) and quantitative (statistics) information about the impact of your project and looking at what that information tells you about whether your project has been successful or not. Different methods exist (and work) for different ideas so what methods will you use to measure/evaluate the impact of your project? top
How do I know if my idea is innovative?
Do some research. Has anyone else done anything like your idea before? If no, why not? If yes, what’s different about how you would do it or how it would impact on your beneficiaries? Then tell us about it. top
What do you mean by beneficiaries/stakeholders?
Beneficiaries are the individuals, groups or communities who will receive some positive outcome from the implementation of your project (they will gain something from it).
Stakeholders are all the different people (individuals, groups, communities, organisations) that will participate in or be affected by your project. Beneficiaries are one stakeholder group as is your project team but also any other organisations working with you or your beneficiaries may be stakeholders too. TACSI would also be one of your stakeholders if you were to receive support from us. top
What is ‘the pitch’?
The ‘pitch’ is a 1-3 minute media file that you need to provide as part of your application. It can be a movie, a song, an animation, a photo or powerpoint slideshow, an interview. The aim of the pitch is to outline your idea and the need it addresses – be creative, you don’t have to cover everything in your application just the heart of your idea.
The quality of the image/sound isn’t what’s most important to us (although we need to be able to see/hear what’s going on) – what we want is to hear your interest, your passion, your resolve.
If your file is 10MB or smaller you can upload it through the application form. If not, please email it directly or send through a link so we can download it.top
What is the 1-3 minute media file?
See What is ‘the pitch’?
I don’t know how to make a media file. What should I do?
We will accept all kinds of formats for the 1-3 minute media file from movies to powerpoint slideshows but if you are not able to provide these don’t despair! Simply contact Erin Green (Challenge Project Leader) for a chat and she’ll talk it through with you. top
Why do I have to enter a media file?
The pitch (your 1-3 minute media file) is your opportunity to catch the judges attention (so be creative!). They will also be uploaded onto TACSI’s channel on Vimeo so the general public can check out the different kinds of ideas being put forward to the Challenge and used to support promotion of the Challenge and its entrants with media, sponsors and partners. top
Why can’t I attach other documentation to my application?
Remember that this application is only the first stage in the Challenge process. The questions we ask in the application form (along with your ‘pitch’) will give the judges enough information to decide on an initial shortlist. If you are one of the shortlisted applicants you will then develop a full project plan with the support of mentors provided by TACSI. top
How will I know if TACSI has received my application?
All submitted applications will be acknowledged via email. top
What should I do if my details change after I’ve submitted my application?
If your details or details in your application change after you have submitted your application simply contact Erin Green (Challenge Project Leader). top
Who are the judges?
The Board of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation will act as the final judges for the Bold Ideas, Better Lives Challenge. You can check out their profiles here. top
When will I find out if I am shortlisted?
TACSI aims to contact all shortlisted applicants by Friday 25 June. top
How many projects will be shortlisted?
Around 10 projects will be shortlisted for the final of the Challenge. top
Who are the mentors?
The Challenge mentors are a diverse bunch of people and organisations – we’ve got legal and financial gurus, monitoring & evaluation specialists, project managers and a whole host more.
TACSI will match mentors to your project based on capacity building needs identified by you and the judges. top
What kind of capacity building will I get?
That depends on what you need. Every idea is different so TACSI will work with you to match mentors to your project based on the capacity building needs identified by you and the judges. top
When do we present our ideas to the judges?
If you are shortlisted to be one of our finalists you will have the opportunity to present your complete project proposal to the judges in person in early October.
TACSI will cover the costs for one project member’s domestic flights, accommodation and per diem for this presentation. You can choose to bring more than one project member to the presentation at your own cost. top
Will there be only one winner?
There can be up to 10 winners of the Challenge. It is unlikely that only one project will be successful. top
When will the final winners be announced?
The winners of the Challenge will be announced in early October at the Challenge Showcase in Adelaide, Australia. top
What is the showcase?
The Bold Ideas, Better Lives Showcase is an event held in Adelaide, Australia in early October where finalists will be able to showcase their project to leaders in social innovation, government officials and community leaders. The showcase includes the announcement of the winners of the Challenge. top
Why do I need an ABN?
All the winning projects will receive funding from TACSI and therefore will need an ABN for taxation purposes. top
What if I can’t get/don’t have an ABN?
You do not need an ABN to enter but you will need one if you are shortlisted so you must be able to get an ABN. If you cannot obtain an ABN you will not be eligible for shortlisting.
All winners will be carrying on an enterprise in Australia for TACSI and therefore should be eligible for an ABN. For more information on obtaining an ABN click here. top
How much money should I ask for?
You should ask for enough money to implement your project (if you already have partial sponsorship then you can ask for the remaining amount or if you do not have any existing sponsorship you can ask for the full project cost).
Be reasonable. Yes, we have up to $1 million dollars in our funding pool for the Challenge but that doesn’t mean you should ask for $1 million dollars (we hope to be able to fund multiple projects). Work out what your project would cost to implement and go from there.
The project costs outlined in the first stage of your application are not set in concrete – they should give a reasonable idea of your project costs and show that you have thought about what costs are involved. If you are shortlisted you will be required to provide a thorough, detailed implementation budget. top
What are reasonable project costs?
Reasonable project costs include all the costs required to implement your project (this can include wages, travel costs, marketing etc).
Please note that personal costs such as accommodation, groceries and personal travel are not appropriate project costs unless they relate directly to the project (for example, if you must travel out to a community and need accommodation and meals while there working with the community). top
Will my project be fully funded?
It depends. TACSI may provide full or partial funding to winning projects. top
How much funding can I get?
Full or partial funding will be provided to winners up to $1 million. top
Will all shortlisted projects receive funding?
Not necessarily. TACSI may provide funding to some or all of our shortlisted projects. top
What is the $1000 for if I’m shortlisted?
TACSI provides $1000 to all shortlisted projects to help cover the costs of your time/needs during the project development stage. You can choose to use this to cover staff time needed to work on the project, put it towards travel costs for an extra project member to attend the presentation to the judges and the showcase, to develop a prototype. It’s up to you. top
What about GST?
All shortlisted entrants will need to provide a tax invoice to the organiser for both the $1000 incentive and any final grant provided. This tax invoice must include GST unless the following condition is met: the entrant is not registered for GST and their annual income (including the grant) is less than AU$75 000 (for profit entity) or AU$150 000 (not for profit entity). For more info check out the Australian Taxation Office. top
Why does TACSI need me to declare I have intellectual property rights when I apply?
It is up to you to ensure that any and or all information submitted as part of your application does not infringe the intellectual property rights (patent, design, copyright of trademark – registered or unregistered) of any person and that TACSI will not have to pay any licence, fee or royalty or other amount to any person in connection with the information provided. top
Who gets the intellectual property rights if my idea is shortlisted to go ahead?
You do. But TACSI (and through TACSI, the Premier of the South Australian Government) will have license to use (and sub-license) the intellectual property. What this means is that you still have full rights and autonomy over your project but if you were not interested in replicating your project in a different location or with a different community TACSI could choose to use your model or methodology in that situation.
Let's be clear on this - TACSI is not interested in taking your project away from you, we are interested in ideas that work and how they can be of the most benefit to the most people. TACSI's first option will always be to work with you and support you to replicate or upscale your idea however, if you did not want to take your project beyond your community or location we ask for the rights to license your intellectual property to do so. top
Who can I talk to about my idea?
Contact Erin Green (Challenge Project Leader) and she’ll be happy to talk it through with you. top
Will there be a Bold Ideas Better Lives Challenge in 2011?
We are aiming to run a Challenge in 2011 but it is not a definite just yet! Sign up to our e-newsletter to keep in the loop.
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