Nation-building Funds Act 2008
Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria No 1 of 2009
We, Julia Gillard, Minister for Education and Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research hereby, pursuant to subsection 172(1) of the Nation-building Funds Act 2008 (the Act), formulate the EIF Evaluation Criteria which is the Schedule to this Instrument.
Dated 13 February 2009
Julia Gillard Kim Carr
Minister for Education Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
1. Citation
This Instrument may be cited as the Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria No 1 of 2009.
2. Authority
This Instrument is made under subsection 172(1) of the Nation-building Funds Act 2008.
3. Date of Effect
This Instrument takes effect on the day after the day on which it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
4. Object of this Instrument
The object of this Instrument is to formulate EIF evaluation criteria, (as defined by section 4 of the Act) to be applied by the EIF Advisory Board in giving advice under paragraphs 171(1)(a) or (b) of the Act.
Principle 1: Projects should address national infrastructure priorities
a) Extent to which the project addresses national priorities
Applicants must demonstrate that their project is consistent with the Australian Government’s priorities for tertiary education and/or research and that it represents a significant investment in these priorities.
In addition, all proposals must also demonstrate they have given due consideration to issues of social inclusion, such as the increased access to tertiary education and research by disadvantaged or non-traditional groups.
Applicants should also address the relevant sector-specific priorities:
Higher education priorities
Research priorities
VET priorities
b) Alignment of the project with the applicant organisation’s priorities and strategic directions
All applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment of the project and its outcomes with the strategic directions and aspirations of the institution. Applicants should reference strategic directions and/or aspirations where formal documentation exists, but should not attach any documents or URL links.
In addressing this criterion, applicants in all sectors may wish to consider the following:
Principle 2: Projects should demonstrate high benefits and effective use of resources
c) Projected positive impact on enhancing capacity
Projects will be evaluated against the extent to which they will deliver the Australian Government’s objective of strategically transforming the capacity of Australian tertiary education and/or research.
All applications must demonstrate the extent to which the project will transform the capacity of a) their own institution and b) their nominated sector. Applications must include projected outcomes of the project and quantify, where possible, the impact of the project on capacity at the institutional or sectoral level.
In addressing this criterion, applicants may wish to consider the following sector-specific questions:
Higher education
Research
VET
Principle 3: Projects should efficiently address infrastructure needs
d) Projects result in improvements consistent with the level of investment
Applicants must demonstrate in their applications that projects would provide good value for money, have a clear public benefit and deliver improvements that are both significant and strategic.
Applicants must demonstrate in their applications, where possible, how the project will make a positive long term economic contribution. This may be demonstrated by reference to the economic benefit of the project to local communities, a broad industry group, or through an increase in research activity, higher education or vocational education and training.
Applicants should quantify, where possible, the expected social, economic and environmental returns on the Australian Government’s investment.
In addressing this criterion, all applicants must complete:
Templates for both these matrices will be provided as part of the Education Investment Fund Round 2 Application Form.
e) Extent of co-investment and collaboration
Collaboration is encouraged where it enhances the quality of the project outcomes and increases the efficiency of the investment.
In addressing this criterion, applicants may wish to consider the following:
Principle 4: Projects should demonstrate they achieve established standards in implementation and management
f) Project quality and readiness
The strength and readiness of projects will be an important consideration in assessing applications. In the context of the global financial crisis, the Australian Government is committed to making investments to strengthen the Australian economy. As such, projects that can be implemented in the short- to medium- term will be given priority.
In addressing this criterion, applicants may wish to consider the following:
An implementation plan and a risk assessment and management strategy must be included. If a feasibility study has been conducted, this should be indicated.
g) Capacity of the organisation to support, maintain and integrate new infrastructure into ongoing business operations
All applications must show how the applicant has the capacity to integrate facilities funded by the Education Investment Fund into their ongoing business operations. A plan for maintenance of the facilities beyond the period of Education Investment Fund funding must be provided.
In addressing this criterion, applicants may wish to consider the following: