Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program
The Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program is designed to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families. Up to $3.5 million is available each financial year for distribution, split across three batches throughout the year. The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is to provide funding for projects and activities that:
promote appreciation and understanding of the experiences of service and the roles that those who serve have played
preserve, add to the sum of knowledge on, or provide access to information about Australia’s wartime heritage.
The STS Program provides funding for one-off projects that are ready to proceed and where the funding will ensure their completion. Projects must be able to be completed within 12 months of the funding agreement being executed.
Two categories of grants are available under the STS program:
Community Grants (CG)
Grants to a maximum of $10,000 are available for community-based commemorative projects and activities. These small grants are for projects and activities that are focused on the local community, commemorate the service and sacrifice of local community members, and are primarily accessed by the local community.
Some examples of CG projects and activities include:
development of an Honour Roll
restoration of an existing local War Memorial
supply and installation of a cabinet to display military memorabilia
installation of flagpoles
Major Grants (MG)
Grants between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or regional perspective. MG grants will have a much wider focus than CG category applications and must be commemorative of the service and sacrifice of service personnel beyond the local community, and/or consist of elements that are available to the whole nation, or residents of a state, territory, or regional area. If your project has a high monetary value, it does not necessarily mean that it is considered an MG.
Some examples of MG projects and activities include:
construction of an interactive memorial walking track dedicated to all Australian service personnel from the Vietnam War
development of a digital honour roll and interpretive signage to commemorate the history of service personnel from a particular region
development of a documentary commemorating Australian Prisoners of War.
When can I apply?
The STS Program is an ongoing program that is always open for applications. Assessment of applications is split into three batches across the year.
For 2024-25, these are:
Batch 1 – applications submitted between 27 February 2024 and 20 June 2024
Batch 2 – applications submitted between 21 June 2024 and 03 October 2024
Batch 3 – applications submitted between 04 October 2024 and 05 February 2025
For more information and application, click here