The Local Government Research and Development Scheme allocates up to $2 million each year for innovative projects that benefit South Australian councils and support them to achieve more for their communities.

This grant is unique to South Australia. It helps get new ideas off the ground and results in better practices to strengthen the local government sector over the long-term.

Discover projects funded by Scheme in the Research Library

On this page:

• Current grant opportunities
• About the Scheme
• Guidelines and resources

Current grant opportunities

Each year the scheme invites grant applications to be submitted to fund research and projects that support the development of the South Australian local government sector.

The 2024-25 grant round will be open between Monday 17 June 9am and Monday 12 August 4pm 2024.

Eligible projects must be linked to the 2024-25 Research and Development Priorities as identified in the Annual Business Plan. In 2024-25 the Scheme will encourage projects that deliver clear long-term outcomes and address future needs of local government in the following priority areas:

• climate and environment
• community wellbeing and inclusion
• planning and infrastructure
• financial sustainability
• building sector capacity

Who can apply

Applications are invited from:

• all South Australian councils
• regional local government associations
• education institutions and universities
• local government professional bodies
• organisations interested in collaborating with local government.

How to apply

1. Review the eligibility and assessment criteria in the 2024-25 Research and Development Scheme Grant Guidelines (PDF, 448.62 KB).
2. Apply electronically through Smarty Grants between 17 June and 12 August. (Link available when the grant round is open.)

2024 funding round information session

An online information session about the next funding round will be held on Monday 24 June at 11am.

This session will provide you with:

• an overview of the scheme
• why projects have been successfully funded in the past
• the application process for the 2024 funding round.

Register now to attend this online session

About the Scheme

The Local Government Research and Development Scheme was created in 1998. It is a unique scheme which is funded by the Local Government Tax Equivalent Fund. This fund was established under the Local Government Finance Authority Act. The contributions to this fund are made by the Local Government Finance Authority payments equivalent to company income tax.

The principles and purposes of the Scheme are formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Treasurer and the LGA President.

The LGA manages the Scheme through the LGR&DS Advisory Committee, whose role is to monitor the activities of the Scheme and provide advice to the LGA Board of Directors.

Guidelines and resources

• 2024-2025 Research and Development Scheme Grant Guidelines (PDF, 448.62 KB)
• 2024-25 Research & Development Scheme Annual Business Plan (PDF, 707.02 KB): Identifies the Schemes annual research priorities.
• Eligibility Policy (PDF, 200.62 KB): Detailed eligibility guide.
• Delivery Policy (PDF, 1216.2 KB): Detail on how the program is administered by the LGA and your reporting requirements.
• Scheme Logic (PDF, 301.57 KB): Includes the goals and outcomes of the Scheme.
• Memorandum of Understanding (PDF, 1476.58 KB): A formalised agreement on the principles and purposes of the scheme.
• Terms of reference (PDF, 203.2 KB): Used by the Advisory Committee to guide their operations and make decisions.

Contact

To find out more, contact Mathilde Thorsen, Projects and Grants Coordinator by emailing lgrds@lga.sa.gov.au or call 08 8224 2057.