Creating education opportunities for students facing disadvantage
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 14 OCTOBER 2026
Who can apply
K-12 Government, Catholic, Independent or Special Needs schools
Must have ICSEA value below 1000.
Support available
$40,000 – $120,000 per year depending on the number of schools in the application.
Clusters of 10+ schools may be eligible for up to $120,000 per year.
Up to three years of project support.
Focus areas
AI or STEM – Up to 2 years.
Rural, regional and remote – Up to 3 years.
EOI projects – Up to 3 years.
Schools Plus connects Australian schools with the support and expertise they need to close the opportunity gap.
Apply now for a Schools Plus partnership, and receive up to three years of funding, coaching and other project support to ensure your students are thriving at school.
More than 630,000 students have already benefited from Schools Plus’ support – will your students be next?
Focus Areas
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Up to 2 years
Using AI to improve student learning outcomes, teaching practice, school capability or future workforce readiness.
STEM (May or may not include AI) – Up to 2 years
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Building student engagement, achievement and pathways in STEM learning.
Rural, regional and remote – Up to 3 years
With a focus on: Attendance, Opportunity to Learn or Transition to school.
Expression of Interest
If your project falls outside these focus areas, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest as an alternative to a full partnership application.
We are always interested in learning about innovative initiatives that improve outcomes for children and young people and may consider these opportunities as part of future partnership discussions.
How to apply
Applications open at 9am AEST on Monday 31 August 2026 and close at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Click the Apply Now button for your single or multi-year partnership from 31 August and create an account on our portal to start your application.
A strong application clearly demonstrates need, evidence, intended outcomes and sustainability beyond the funding period.
Schools Plus reviews every application, outcomes are notified by the end of November, with successful partnerships and coaching commencing in January 2027.
Need a hand with your application? The Schools Plus team is ready to help at schools@schoolsplus.org.au
Eligibility
ICSEA value below 1000 (special needs schools exempt).
Direct student enrolments required.
One application per school or cluster.
Existing Schools Plus projects must be acquitted before a new partnership begins in 2027.
Schools aligned with a DGR-status not-for-profit are not eligible
Clusters are welcome and can draw on existing school networks or newly formed partnerships.
Support
For technical support, questions about eligibility or application support please email schools@schoolsplus.org.au
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