Frequently asked questions

 
Action on the Ground 2011-12 round one

1. What is Action on the Ground?

   Action on the Ground is designed to assist the on-farm trial and demonstration of practices and technologies to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase carbon sequestered in soil. Action on the Ground will invest $99 million during the first six years (2011-12 to 2016-17). Action on the Ground is delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department).

2. How will I receive notification if my project is successful or unsuccessful?

   All applicants will receive a letter in the post notifying them about the outcome of their application. Successful projects will also be listed on the funded page of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry website.

3. How can I receive feedback on my unsuccessful application?

   If you wish to receive feedback on your unsuccessful application you may send an email with your phone number, receipt number (e.g. AotGR1 xxxx) and the name of your organisation, including your sponsor’s name, where applicable to the Action on the Ground team. A member of the Action on the Ground team will provide feedback within three business days.

4. Can I appeal the decision not to fund my project?

   If your application is not successful, section 13 of the Action on the Ground Program Guidelines outline the review process.

5. When can I start my project?

   If you are successful, the Australian Government will send you a funding deed that will need to be signed and returned before you commence project activities. Any conditions of funding specified in the funding deed will need to be met before the payment for the project can be processed and for the project to commence.

6. Can I start my project in 2012-13

   Applications for round one of Action on the Ground must be designed to commence in the 2011-12 financial year.

7. When will the funding deed for a successful applications be issued

   Funding deeds for successful round one Action on the Ground applications will be prepared by the department and sent to applicants at the earliest time after announcement of projects. Round one funding deeds will need to be signed by the applicant and returned to the department by no later than 1 June 2012 in order for on-signing first milestone payments to be made during the 2011-12 financial year.

8. Who can sign the funding deed?

   The person identified as the authorised person in the application form needs to sign the funding deed. If this person has changed, you will need to provide a letter from your organisation outlining the new contact's role (within 14 days) and that they are authorised to represent the group. There is no legally binding relationship until a funding deed is signed by both parties.

9. How long do I have to complete my project?

   Your funding deed will stipulate the date by which your project is to be completed. You are required to complete your final report and audited financial statement to complete your project. The sooner you return your funding deed, the sooner you can start. You cannot start you project until the funding deed is signed by both parties.

10. How can I update my contact details?

    You can update your contact details for your Action on the Ground project by sending an email to Action on the Ground team with your project ID in the subject line. Alternatively call 1800 025 005 and ask to speak to your project officer.

11. What are my reporting requirements at the completion of my project?

    The Australian Government places a high priority on monitoring and reporting for all Action on the Ground projects. You will be required to submit a project progress report at each milestone.

    You will need to provide a final report and independent audited financial statement within eight weeks of the agreed completion date of your project. The final report will outline project outcomes and evaluate the evidence supporting the reported outcomes. The audited financial statement should be completed by an independent registered accountant, who will need to examine your records and sign a certified statement that all funds have been expended in accordance with your funding deed.

12. I would like to withdraw from funding. How can I do that?

    You can notify the Action on the Ground team by email or phone 1800 025 005 if you wish to withdraw from funding. Please do so as soon as possible.

13. Will there be further funding rounds for the Action on the Ground Program?

    The Action on the Ground program runs from 2011 to July 2017. There will be future rounds of funding under the Action on the Ground program. At this time we anticipate that the second funding round of Action on the Ground will commence during the first half of 2013. Further updates will be posted on this site and advertised nationally once the round opens.

14. How does Action on the Ground fit into Carbon Farming Futures?

    The Government has allocated $429 Million for Carbon Farming Futures for the period 2011 – 2017. DAFF component of this fund is $364 Million. Carbon Farming Futures has three programs: Filling the Research Gap - $201 Million (researching carbon farming), Action on the Ground - $99 Million (designed to assist the on-farm trial and demonstration of practices and abatement technologies to reduce emission of agricultural greenhouse gas and/or increase sequestration of Carbon in soil) and Extension and Outreach - $64 Million (demonstration trials, workshops, field-days). Further information is available at Attachment (A) of the Action on the Ground guidelines.

15. How much funding can be applied for?

    Grants of between $55 000 and up to $385 000 (inclusive of GST) may be allowed in the first two financial years of a project (2011-12 and 2012-13) with a maximum of up to $110 000 (GST inc.) in subsequent financial years (2013-14 and 2014-15). The maximum amount of funds that may be applied for in a single application is up to $605 000 (GST inc.) over the four financial years to 30 June 2015.

16. Can I apply for funding beyond June 2015?

    No, round one projects for Action on the Ground must be completed on or before June 2015.

    Under future rounds of Action on the Ground an applicant may seek additional funding to extend either the scope and/or period of a project where they their applications meets the requirements of the rounds guidelines and they are meeting the terms of the funding deed.

17. What is the opening date for submission of applications 

    Both the on-line and hard copy version of the Action on the Ground application forms will be available from 11 January 2012. An application may be submitted any time after this date up to 5pm (AEST) 8 February 2012.

18. How do I get an application form?

    The on-line application form will be available from 11 January 2012.

    If you do not have access to the internet you can request a hard copy application pack by calling the Action on the Ground hotline on 1800 025 005. The hard copy application form will be available from 11 January 2012.

19. What will I be required to submit in my application?

    Applicants are asked to fully complete the application form. No supporting documentation is required with the application. The department may contact the applicant and project partners for clarification or confirmation of information during the assessment of the application.

20. What is the closing date for applications?

    Round one of Action on the Ground closes at 5:00pm (AEST) Wednesday, 8 February 2012. All applications either submitted on-line or completed as a hard copy must be received by the department by this date.

21. Who can apply?

    Organisations applying for Action on the Ground grant must be an Australian legal entity, such as:

    • an incorporated association
    • a body corporate
    • a company
    • a cooperative society
    • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander corporation, council or incorporated association
    • a duly constituted Partnership or trust
    • a sole trader

    An application being made by an Australian legal entity on behalf of a consortium of organisations/group of landholders/farmers will be required to provide information identifying all member organisations/landholders/farmers that they will be representing during the project. The funding deed will be entered into with the applicant (single entity) - who will be wholly responsible for the performance of the funding deed.

22. Can Landcare and farmer grower groups apply for funding under Action on the Ground?

    Yes, Landcare and farmer grower groups are eligible to apply for funding under Action on the Ground provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the program guidelines

23. What happens if I cannot apply online?

    Please email the Action on the Ground team or phone 1800 025 005.

24. Who is the Grantee?

    The grantee is the Australian legal entity (either group or individual) that enters into a funding deed with the Australian Government. The grantee receives and administers the grant.

25. Who is the Applicant?

    The applicant is the Australian legal entity (either group or individual) that submits an application for funding to the Australian Government. If the project is successful the applicant becomes the grantee when they sign the funding deed and they are contracted to receive and administer the grant.

26. How many applications can I submit?

    You can submit more than one application; however each project must have a separate application form.
     
    If you are submitting more than one project proposal you must submit separate applications for each of your proposals as each application form has a unique reference number to identify your application. Modified or re-used application forms will not be accepted.
    
    The department may at its sole discretion extend the application period. Any such extension will be communicated to all registered applications by email only and published on the department’s website. (Section 7 – Action on the Ground program guidelines).

27. Do I need to provide supporting information?

    No, supporting documentation and attachments are not required in the initial application. Assessors may request additional clarification or documentation during the assessment process.

28. How much detail should I put in the budget and if I miss something can I put it in later?

    You must consider all aspects of your project and ensure all relevant costs are included in your application. Section 9 of the Action on the Ground program guidelines describes action to be taken if you have concerns regarding an error or omission in your application.

    If an applicant discovers any material discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or error in their application, they must immediately notify the department by emailing.

29. Do I need to provide quotes?

    No. By submitting the application, you certify that all details provided are true and correct. However, we reserve the right to clarify any detail on your application form.

30. Can I apply for funding for salary and staff cost?

    Contributions must be directly related to the eligible costs of delivering the activities of the project and can include salaries of staff for the time they are involved in the project. Contributions should be listed as part of the project budget in the application. Please see Section 3 of the Action on the Ground program guidelines.

    Project activities

31. Can I lodge a single application for the Biodiversity Fund, Filling the Research Gap and Action on the Ground?

    No, a separate application for funding needs to be made for each of these programs in line with relevant program’s guidelines.

32. What sort of activities can I undertake?

    Please see section 6 of the Action on the Ground program guidelines. Examples of some activities that would be eligible for funding include:

    • animal management and feed strategies that can reduce methane emissions
    • management strategies to reduce soil nitrous oxide emissions including the use of chemical inhibitors
    • planting, rotation, cropping or grazing practices to either reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from soil and/or increase carbon stored in soil
    • on-farm management practices and abatement technologies to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural wastes
    • practices and abatement technologies that can be demonstrated to have the potential to reduce on-farm agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and/or increase carbon stored in soil.

    These are example activities only and applicants should review the guideline to see whether or not their proposed project addresses one or more of Action on the Ground priorities.

    Action on the Ground program funds are available for on-farm trial activities that are directly project related and additional to business-as-usual farm activities.
    
    These may include:

    • minor modifications to existing machinery
    • temporary fencing or feed storage facilities specifically required for the project
    • project consumables including on-farm non-business-as-usual consumables associated with the project
    • project specific equipment required for the management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities
    • sampling collection and analysis costs
    • additional animal care costs directly related to the project, ie moving and handling for measurement.
      
      
33. What sorts of activities are ineligible?

    Capital expenditure for the purchase of assets such as office furniture and equipment, motor vehicles, computers, printers, photocopiers, construction, renovations and utilities.

    • Costs involved in the purchase/upgrade of software including licenses.
    • Any cost incurred prior to signing the funding deed with the Commonwealth.
      
    • Core business expenses such as:
    • •  staff relocation costs
      • ­ administration/overhead and infrastructure costs
      • ­ international travel
      • ­ living expenses for project staff.
        
    • Australian domestic travel and living allowance that is not directly related to the project.
    • Hospitality/catering costs.
    • Financial support for feasibility studies.
    • Commercially based activities, such as costs associated with:
    • •  the protection or patenting of intellectual property
      •  activities of a distinctly commercial or proprietary nature that are aimed at selling or attracting investment
      • ­ product development and the building or production of commercial prototypes.

    Please see section 6 of the Action on the Ground program guidelines.

34. Can I get funding for projects already underway?

    Yes, applicants may submit applications for funding to undertake additional activities in relation to an existing project where they can demonstrate that the proposed activities are new to the project and are not already funded. Funding will only be paid for work outlined in the funding deed and undertaken as part of Action on the Ground. No payments will be made for works undertaken prior to the signing of the funding deed.

35. Are travel and accommodation considered eligible project activities?

    Funding will be paid for work outlined in the funding deed and undertaken as part of Action on the Ground project. Domestic travel and living allowance only directly related to the project are eligible.

36. What are some examples of ineligible project activities?

    Please see Section 6 ‘What qualifies for funding’ ineligible activities in the Action on the Ground program guidelines.

37. Where can I find more information?

    More information can be found in the Action on the Ground program guidelines or by phoning 1800 025 005.

38. Can I apply for funding for projects utilizing Biochar under the Action on the Ground program?

    A separate program exists for Biochar up to 30 June 2014. Details and funding available through the Biochar Capacity Building Program can be found on the Biochar website at: http://daff.gov.au/climatechange/cfi/biochar.
    
    Projects involving Biochar are excluded from round one of the Action on the Ground program. Applications for funding under the Biochar program close on 3 February 2012.

39. When will projects start?

    Action on the Ground projects must commence before 30 June 2012. Projects cannot start until a funding deed has been agreed between the department and the successful applicant.

40. When will first project payments be made?

    No funding will be provided until a funding deed has been agreed between the department and the successful applicant. The first project payment to enable establishment of the project will be made on signing of the funding deed with subsequent project payments to be made as specified in the funding deed. It is expected that first project payments will be made before June 2012.
    

41. Can I submit more than one project proposal?
    
    Yes, applicants can submit more than one project proposal. To submit additional project proposals you must submit separate applications for each proposal. Each application form has a unique reference number to identify the proposal. Electronic applications can be submitted only once. Modified or re-used application forms will not be accepted.

42. What are the sampling and analysis requirements for soil carbon?

    Applications proposing to trial and demonstrate practices to increase the amount of carbon stored in soil must use sampling and analytical methods either developed by or consistent with those developed by the Soil Carbon Research Program (SCaRP) and take into account any associated nitrous oxide emissions where nitrogen is applied in any form.

    Please note that additional information on soil sampling and analysis for carbon has been added to the CSIRO SCaRP website and is now available at the above hyperlink.