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SA Local Government Research and Development Scheme 2026-27 Competitive Grant Round

SA Local Government Research and Development Scheme 2026-27 Competitive Grant Round

  • Funding stream: 2026-27 competitive grant round.
  • Amount available: more than $1.3 million.
  • EOI Applications close: August 5th, 2026

The Local Government Research and Development Scheme 2026-27 competitive grant round supports innovative projects and solutions that address sector-wide issues for the benefit of South Australian councils and their communities. Funding is intended to help new ideas get off the ground and strengthen the local government sector over the long term. The round will open with an Expression of Interest process, with shortlisted applicants invited to submit a full application for assessment.

Projects must demonstrate meaningful engagement and collaboration with the local government sector and align with the Annual Strategic Research Priorities. Projects funded through annual grant rounds must provide benefit to the entire local government sector and align with the Scheme’s principles, purposes, outcomes and current year research and development priorities. Projects approved for funding are expected to begin in early 2027.

Key Requirements

  • Projects must present innovative ideas and solutions that address sector-wide issues and benefit South Australian councils and their communities.
  • Projects must align with the Annual Strategic Research Priorities, which will be closely linked to the LGA Strategic Plan.
  • Projects must demonstrate meaningful engagement and collaboration with the local government sector, with an emphasis on the value of collective effort.
  • Projects funded through the annual grant round must provide benefit to the entire local government sector and be aligned with the Scheme’s principles, purposes, outcomes and current year research and development priorities.

What is eligible for funding?

  • Innovative projects and solutions that address sector-wide issues for the benefit of South Australian councils and their communities.
  • Projects that provide benefit to the entire local government sector.
  • Projects aligned with the Scheme’s principles, purposes and outcomes, and the current year research and development priorities.
  • Projects that demonstrate meaningful engagement and collaboration with the local government sector.
  • Training components may be considered where they address a strategic capability need for the local government sector, make the training material available to the entire sector, involve a new methodology or delivery mode or support implementation of a scheme-funded project or strategic priority, and include a clear plan for ongoing delivery after project completion

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible entities:

  • South Australian councils and subsidiaries.
  • Regional Local Government Associations.
  • Education institutions and universities.
  • Local government professional bodies and practitioner networks.
  • Local government unions.
  • State and Federal Government agencies.
  • Any organisation interested in the development of the local government sector in South Australia.

Other considerations:

  • Applicants must have an ABN.
  • Applicants must be an incorporated organisation.
  • Applicants must hold a minimum of $1 million Professional Indemnity Insurance and a minimum of $10 million Public Liability Insurance.
  • An organisation that does not meet these requirements may deliver a project if it is auspiced by an incorporated association, with the auspicing organisation responsible and accountable for project delivery.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.