TASMANIAN ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS SCHOOL GRANTS PROGRAM
Sharing. Learning. Belonging.
Every Tasmanian Aboriginal child deserves to feel proud, safe and respected at school. Every Tasmanian child should have the opportunity to learn the true history of this place and the rich cultures, knowledge and languages of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Knowledge Sharing Grants Program helps Tasmanian schools achieve both.
Delivered by Reconciliation Tasmania, the program provides funding for Tasmanian schools to partner with Tasmanian Aboriginal people, educators and businesses to deliver authentic, culturally appropriate learning experiences that strengthen understanding of Tasmanian Aboriginal histories, cultures and language.
Together, we can help create stronger, culturally safe school communities where Aboriginal students feel proud of their identity, and every student has the opportunity to learn from the world’s oldest continuing culture.
Why this program matters
Schools play an important role in shaping how children and young people understand the history, cultures and future of the place they call home.
While many schools want to strengthen Tasmanian Aboriginal perspectives across learning, they often face barriers such as limited resources, uncertainty about where to begin, or a lack of established relationships with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and organisations.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Knowledge Holders School Grants Program helps remove those barriers.
By supporting schools to partner directly with Tasmanian Aboriginal educators, knowledge holders, artists and businesses, the program creates opportunities for authentic learning experiences that build understanding, strengthen cultural safety and contribute to meaningful reconciliation.
At its heart, the program seeks to ensure Tasmanian Aboriginal children and young people feel seen, respected and proud of who they are, while giving every Tasmanian student the opportunity to learn the true history and continuing cultures of this island.
About the program
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Knowledge Sharing Grants Program is designed to support schools to build meaningful, respectful and lasting relationships with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community while embedding Aboriginal perspectives across school life.
Rather than funding one-off activities, the program encourages projects that create ongoing learning opportunities, strengthen cultural capability within schools, and contribute to genuine reconciliation.
Schools are encouraged to design projects that reflect the unique needs of their students and community, while working in partnership with Tasmanian Aboriginal people to ensure learning is authentic, locally relevant and culturally respectful.
Creating lasting change
The grants program is about much more than funding individual school projects.
It is designed to support long-term, sustainable change by helping schools build confidence, strengthen relationships with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, and embed Aboriginal perspectives as an ongoing part of school life.
Each project contributes to a broader vision of reconciliation in Tasmania: one where cultural safety, truth-telling and respectful partnerships become part of everyday learning.
Choosing the grant that’s right for your school
Schools can apply for one of three grant streams. Projects funded through this round will be delivered during the 2027 school year.
Ideas to inspire your school project
- Learning with Tasmanian Aboriginal educators and knowledge holders
- On Country experiences and place-based learning
- Cultural workshops such as weaving, canoes, kelp baskets and more
- Tasmanian Aboriginal learning resources, such as books, toys, games, and more
- Locally developed reconciliation and cultural learning initiatives
Who benefits from this program?
The program places Tasmanian Aboriginal children and young people at the centre of learning and recognises that meaningful reconciliation creates benefits that extend across the entire school community. As knowledge grows and relationships strengthen, the impact flows across five interconnected groups.
Aboriginal children and young people
Greater cultural pride, stronger feelings of safety and belonging, and learning environments where identity, culture and perspectives are respected and valued.
All Tasmanian children and young people
Deeper understanding of Tasmanian Aboriginal history, cultures and perspectives, helping to build empathy, respect and a shared understanding of our island’s story.
Teachers and school leaders
Greater confidence, cultural capability and stronger relationships that support respectful and meaningful reconciliation education.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Community
New opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships with schools, and support Aboriginal-led businesses, educators, artists and cultural practitioners.
Wider school community
Families and the broader school community benefit from a more culturally aware, inclusive and respectful school culture that extends learning beyond the classroom.
Schools are encouraged to develop projects that respond to the needs of their own community while creating meaningful opportunities to learn directly from Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through SmartyGrants.
Before you begin, we recommend that you:
- Read the Program Guidelines
- Discuss your project idea with your school leadership team
- Consider which Tasmanian Aboriginal people, organisations or businesses you may wish to partner with
- Gather any supporting information required for your application
Applying through SmartyGrants
Applying is simple.
- Create a free SmartyGrants account (or log in if you already have one)
- Complete the online application form*
- Upload any required supporting documentation
- Submit your application before the closing date
* If you prefer typing your responses into a Word document, you can do this and ‘cut and paste’ your content into the SmartyGrants system.
Reporting requirements
Schools receiving funding will be asked to complete the following:
- A brief online survey prior to commencing your project
- A brief online survey following completion of the project.
These surveys will provide important information for Reconciliation Tasmania to include in our evaluation reports.
Schools will also be required to provide a simple online report following completion of their project, which will include:
- A short summary of the activities delivered
- The outcomes and benefits achieved for students and the school community
- Reflections on what worked well and key learnings
- A small selection of photographs or examples of the project (where permissions have been obtained)
The reporting process has been designed to be straightforward while helping Reconciliation Tasmania celebrate, evaluate and share the impact of the program across Tasmania. Any information from students will be de-identified in our reports.
Investing in a stronger future
This program creates lasting change by placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people at the centre of learning.
Each grant strengthens knowledge, relationships and cultural safety across the whole school community, benefiting students, educators, families and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
Building cultural safety
Successful schools will also receive two places at a Tasmanian Aboriginal led one-day cultural safety workshop.
The workshop will build cultural responsiveness and leadership, helping schools strengthen the relationships and learning developed through the program.
Aboriginal businesses, educators and cultural advisors
An important objective of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Knowledge Holders School Grants Program is to strengthen partnerships between schools and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
Schools are encouraged to work directly with Tasmanian Aboriginal businesses, educators, artists, knowledge holders and cultural practitioners when designing their projects. If your school has any questions or needs assistance, please let us know.
What you need to know
Key dates
- Applications open: 31 August 2026
- Applications close: 2 October 2026
- Projects will be delivered throughout the 2027 school year.
Eligibility
Eligible schools must:
- Be a Tasmanian school
- Have more than 5% Aboriginal enrolments
- Meet all eligibility requirements and criteria outlined in the Grant Guidelines.
How are the grants allocated?
All applications will be assessed by an independent committee against the eligibility requirements and criteria. Further information, including criteria weighting, can be found in the Grant Guidelines here.
Quick links
- Apply online
- Grant Guidelines
- SmartyGrants Help Guide
- Program flier
Together we can creating lasting change
Every meaningful conversation, partnership and learning experience helps build a future where real reconciliation is part of day-to-day school life.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Knowledge Holders School Grants Program is an investment in stronger schools, stronger relationships and a more inclusive Tasmania: one where Aboriginal children and young people feel proud, safe and valued, and every student has the opportunity to learn from the world’s oldest continuing culture.
We encourage schools across Tasmania to explore the opportunities offered through this program, share this opportunity with colleagues, and begin planning your project early.
Applications open on 31 August 2026 and close on 2 October 2026.
Questions
If you have any questions about the program, eligibility or the application process, we’d love to hear from you. Email Reconciliation Tasmania here.
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