Grants for gender equality

Gender inequality affects everyone. It occurs when people experience barriers, disadvantages or different outcomes because of their gender.

In the Northern Territory, this can include:

• limited access to opportunities
• unequal representation in leadership
• financial insecurity
• unpaid care responsibilities
• safety concerns or experiences of violence
• exclusion from services or community activities.

Gender stereotypes can also affect people in different ways:

• women and girls often experience poorer outcomes in safety, leadership and economic participation
• men and boys may face pressure to conform to harmful stereotypes, such as not seeking help, which can affect wellbeing and relationships

This is not just about whether an activity exists. It is about whether there are barriers to access, participation or outcomes.

What this means for your project

Your project should:

• identify a clear gender gap, barrier or disadvantage
• explain who is affected and why
• demonstrate how the project will reduce that barrier or improve outcomes, such as increasing access, participation, safety or wellbeing.

Your project does not need to solve a large issue, but it should make a clear and practical contribution to improving gender equality.

People experience gender inequality in different ways depending on their circumstances. For example, experiences may also be shaped by:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status
• geographic location, including living in a regional or remote area
• disability
• age
• cultural background
• sexuality or gender identity.

What this means for your project

Your project should:

• clearly identify who it is for
• explain any additional barriers or disadvantages experienced by participants
• show how the approach is inclusive and responsive to those needs.

Gender-diverse people have gender identities, expressions or experiences that differ from traditional expectations associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.

They may face:

• exclusion from services or activities
• discrimination or stigma
• barriers to safe participation.

What this means for your project

Projects can support gender-diverse people by:

• creating safe and inclusive environments
• improving access to activities or services
• using inclusive language and practices
• considering different needs in project design.

To be eligible, you must be either:

• an organisation based and registered in the Northern Territory
• a resident of the Northern Territory.

You must also:

• read and meet the Program Guidelines DOCX (108.9 KB)
• meet all application and assessment requirements and conditions outlined in the guidelines
• have no outstanding acquittals with any Northern Territory Government agency
• be compliant with your reporting obligations under the Act under which you are incorporated, or to ACNC if applicable
• demonstrate you can deliver the project
• not have been involved in fraudulent activity
• declare any conflicts of interest.

You can apply for projects, services or activities that meet this program’s objectives to:

• address a gender inequality
• respond to overlapping forms of disadvantage, sometimes called intersectionality
• benefit NT communities.

Read more about gender inequality and eligible projects.

We encourage projects that:

• take place in regional and remote communities
• build long-term capability, participation or leadership
• support gender-diverse people.

Funding is not guaranteed and should not be anticipated.

Do not purchase goods, services or equipment included in your application until you have received formal notification of funding approval.

Examples of projects that may get funding

Your project could:

• contribute to reduce the gender pay gap or support efforts to achieve a gender balance in education, employment and economic security
• reduce gender-based violence or increase community safety
• encourage positive, gendered health outcomes and wellbeing
• facilitate and promote equitable leadership, participation and representation
• promote respect, counter stigma, prejudice or humiliation.

Examples of projects that will not get funding

Funding will not support:

• initiatives, or items that the Panel assess as not being consistent with programs objectives
• the purchase of alcoholic beverages
• core business costs, including ongoing wages or staffing costs.
• real estate purchases
• deficit budgets
• activities that duplicate existing services, including government services.
• political or religious activities
• activities that may negatively impact business or compete with local commercial activities
• commercial or profit-driven activities
• activities that relate to personal professional development for individuals.
• set up or running costs of a business, purchase or capital equipment (including hardware or software)
• retrospective projects, functions or services that have already started or been completed, or items that have already been provided or previously purchased
• activities that start before your grant is approved will not be funded.

Apply online through GrantsNT.

You must provide:

• a description of your project
• a project plan timeline
• an itemised budget, including in-kind contributions
• evidence of need and who will benefit
• expected outcomes and how you will measure them
• any risks and how you will manage them.

You will also need to:

• clearly demonstrate how your application meets the programs objectives
• confirm your eligibility requirements.

You will receive an email when your application has been received.

This is a competitive grant program.

Round 1:

• You will be notified of the outcome by the end of October 2026.
• If approved, activities must be delivered in 12 months, from November 2026 to October 2027.

Round 2:

• You will be notified of the outcome by the end of January 2027.
• If approved, activities must be delivered in 12 months, from February 2027 to January 2028.

Round 3:

• You will be notified of the outcome by the end of April 2027.
• If approved, activities must be delivered in 12 months, from May 2027 to March 2028.

Approved applicants

If you are successful, you must sign a grant agreement. This means you must complete the project funded by the grant under law.

When your project has finished, you must acquit your grant in accordance with the timelines in your grant agreement.

As part of your acquittal, you must provide:

• a written evaluation
• copies of promotional material
• receipts and invoices
• photos
• a signed grant acquittal form.

This is a $5,000 VET scholarship aimed at increasing the number of men in non-traditional (female-dominated) occupations such as:

• care
• health
• teaching
• nursing or
• early childhood education.

In addition to the scholarship money, you will also receive $1,200 to buy a laptop.

Who can apply

To apply, you must be:

• male or identify as male
• enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate level course at CDU
• an NT resident.

How to apply

To apply, follow these steps:

Step 1. Apply online on the CDU website. A new scholarship round opens before every semester.

Step 2. Submit a supporting statement which includes all of the following:

• a short biography that includes:
  • your background
  • reasons you're applying for the scholarship
  • why you have chosen the area of study
  • your future plans and ambitions
• your commitment to the NT and how you intend to use your skills in this area
• your passion, ability and initiative in your approach to study
• your economic, social, cultural or geographical disadvantage.

This is a $15,000 scholarship to study at CDU, including at the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education.

The scholarship is designed to help you pursue higher education in:

• care
• health
• teaching
• nursing or
• early childhood education.

In addition to the scholarship money, you will also receive $1,200 to buy a laptop.

Who can apply

To apply, you must be:

• male or identify as male
• enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate level course at CDU
• an NT resident.

How to apply

To apply, follow these steps:

Step 1. Apply online on the CDU website. This scholarship is only offered in semester one.

Step 2. Submit a supporting statement which includes all of the following:

• a short biography that includes:
  • your background
  • reasons you're applying for the scholarship
  • why you have chosen the area of study
  • your future plans and ambitions.
• your commitment to the NT and how you intend to use your skills in this area
• your passion, ability and initiative in your approach to study
• your economic, social, cultural or geographical disadvantage.

To be eligible, you must be either:

• a resident of the NT
• an organisation based and registered in the NT.

You must also be able to show that you can:

• contribute to the project through other funding or support
• manage the project's budget.

You can apply for funding for activities that do at least 2 of the following:

• celebrate International Women's Day
• celebrate women's diversity and social, political and economic achievements
• educate the community about International Women's Day
• encourage reflection and discussion about issues on gender inequality
• encourages community participation in International Women's Day.

Read more about gender inequality and eligible projects.

Your project or event must also do all of the following:

• have a need for financial assistance
• have an itemised budget
• include an outline of how the activity will be promoted
• have identifiable objectives and outcomes
• be completed within the proposed time frame
• show that the funds will result in a positive outcome and advance the social, political, economic or civil status of women in the NT.

What can't be funded

Grants cannot be given or used for any of the following:

• political activity
• commercial or business activity
• alcohol
• projects already underway
• profit-making projects
• deficit budgets
• real estate purchases
• administration or management fees
• wages for staff
• printing and stationery costs
• projects that are the same as existing events.

Apply online through GrantsNT.

If you haven't created a profile on GrantsNT, you will need to set one up before applying for any grant.

You will receive an email when your application has been received.

It may take over 6 weeks for your application to be assessed.

Approved applicants

If you are successful, you must sign a grant agreement.

This means you must complete the project funded by the grant under law.

When you project has finished, you must send all of the following documents to the Office of Gender Equity and Diversity within 6 weeks:

• a written evaluation
• copies of promotional material
• receipts and invoices
• photos
• a grant acquittal form from the Office of Gender Equity and Diversity.