The Federal Government has opened the $500 million Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund, which will provide support to regional higher education institutions and vocational education and training providers.

 

Under the Regional Priorities Round, a total of $480 million will be allocated to higher education institutions and VET providers in a competitive round, while $20 million has been be earmarked as seed funding for a multi-partner campus on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

 

The Federal Government has announced the purpose of the fund is to ensure that regional students have access to the same standards of education as their metropolitan counterparts. The fund will also expand Youth Allowance services in regional areas.

 

Higher education and VET providers will now be able to apply for the funding to construct new facilities or to refurbish and extend existing facilities.

 

They will also be able to access funding for technical equipment or information and communication technologies to support teaching and learning.

 

Funding in the EIF Regional Priorities Round is also available for research-related capital costs integral to proposed teaching and learning or VET infrastructure projects.

 

So far, 57 capital projects funded through the EIF have been completed and a further 121 projects are underway.

 

The Regional Priorities Round will involve a two-stage application process. Initial Expressions of Interest close on 4 November 2011. Applicants successful at the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit a full application in 2012.

 

Guidelines for the Regional Priorities Round of the Education Investment Fund can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/eifrpr