We invite all NSW public schools and preschools to apply for funding of up to $15,000 to deliver hands-on, sustainability-focused projects that link to the NSW curriculum.

School Infrastructure NSW Sustainable Schools Grants are part of a four-year, 10 million dollar program:

• giving schools the opportunity to develop innovative hands-on projects
• helping students learn about environmentally sustainable practices and take real steps to enhance the sustainability of their school environment.

Note – non-government schools, and preschools not owned and operated by the NSW Department of Education, are ineligible to apply.

Learn about our Sustainable Schools Grants (0:55)

Transcript of Sustainable grants video

Important dates

Round 4

• The final application stage for Round 4 has now closed.
• Early Term 1 2023 – Schools will be informed if they are successful in receiving a Round 4 grant.
• Friday 1 December Term 4 Week 8 2023 – all projects must be completed.

Round 5

This will be the final round of grants for the Sustainable Schools Program.

• Applications open Monday 27 February Term 1 Week 6 2023
• Applications close Monday 20 March Term 1 Week 9 2023
• Mid Term 2 2023 schools will be notified if they are successful in receiving a Round 5 grant.
• Projects to be implemented June to December 2023
• Friday 1 December Term 4 Week 8 2023 – all projects must be completed.

Applying for a grant

• NSW Public schools and preschools can only submit one application in each round of grant funding and can only receive one Sustainable Schools Grant over the four-year program.
• Applicants are required to submit a detailed application form.
• Program guidelines, eligibility criteria, previous grants recipients, inspirational project ideas, and answers to common questions are on the Sustainable Schools Grants page.

Previous Sustainable Schools Grants projects

Glenroi Heights Public School

Glenroi Heights Public School was on a mission to reduce waste, increase environmental awareness and revitalise their kitchen gardens to survive the drought.

The school’s holistic waste reduction initiatives involved implementing the following actions:

• installing new bins to collect multiple waste streams in classrooms and the playground.
• adding a waste-sorting activity into the 'busy bees' playground program where passionate students from K-6 help do jobs around the school each lunchtime.
• emptying organic waste into worm farms and compost tumblers for the school's vegetable gardens.
• sending soft plastic waste to a RedCycle location and paper and shredding cardboard to mulch the school's gardens.
• holding beeswax wrap-making workshops to encourage plastic-free lunch box alternatives.

The school's garden upgrade involved a range of student-led activities such as:

• redesigning existing garden beds
• planting fruit and vegetable seeds in mini-greenhouses
• using 2 water tanks to collect runoff from the school roof
• planting 24 native plants and bushes with additional pots and planters with flowers to attract native bees and butterflies (after careful research)
• using the school's 'busy bees' program to weed and water gardens.

Relieving Assistant Principal Jessica McAlister said the grant 'has encouraged teachers and students to start conversations about sustainability ... students have developed informed attitudes about caring for our planet and know what actions they can take to work towards a greener future.'

Erskine Park High School

Learn about Erskine Park High School's waste audit (3:24).

Transcript of Erskine Park waste audit