APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Closing Dates - 31 March and 31 October
There are two GEF funding rounds per year. Closing dates for each round are 31 March and 31 October. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be considered in time if they are:
- postmarked by closing date
- couriered by closing date
- emailed by closing date
Applications are accepted by email, post, hand delivery or courier. Faxed applications are not accepted as they are difficult to read. If emailing applications, applicants should also forward a hard copy to ensure the receipt of original signatures.
Applications should not be put in binders as they will be photocopied. Double siding of applications and additional material is preferable

Application Form
Applications must be made on a GEF application form available on the GEF website. The form is often updated between funding rounds so organisations should periodically download a new form to ensure they are using the most up to date version. Applicants should ensure, when adding responses to the form, they do not accidentally delete original text and have answered all questions / met all requirements.

Number of Projects/Applications
Applications must be for one project only and organisations can make only one application per round.

Satisfactory Reporting
If an organisation has previously received GEF funding, consideration of subsequent applications by that organisation will be subject to satisfactory reporting on prior grants.

Retrospective Applications
Projects that have commenced prior to the funding round's closing date will not be considered.

Over Subscription
If a particular funding round is over subscribed and there are projects of equal merit, any project and/or organisation that hasn't received funding previously will receive priority.

Partial Funding
GEF can partially fund projects i.e. the components of a project which have Global Education merit. Applicants can therefore request GEF fund part of a larger project. The GEF Selection Committee may also determine not all the funding request has Global Education merit and part fund the application.

Comprehensive Applications
Applicants should assume the selection committee knows nothing. If background research has been done which led the applicant to the conclusion that the project was needed then a summary of that research should be provided. If partial project funding is being requested the selection committee needs information on the total project as well as the part the applicant is requesting GEF to fund.

Letters of Support
Two signed letters of support for the project are required from two relevant organisations (one from each). Letters of support should:
- explain what qualifies the signatory to be a referee for this project
- comment on the applicant's capability and experience to carry out this project
- explain how the project meets the aims of the Global Education Fund
- be project specific/non-rote

Letters of support should not be from:
- organisations represented on the selection committee
- the applicant organisation itself
- anyone who could be considered to personally benefit from the project

Financial Assurance
Assurance of an organisation's sound financial position and management is required. A copy of an organisation's most recent annual accounts should be provided. If these accounts are more than 15 months old an up-to-date statement of financial position should be provided with advice as to when annual accounts will be available. If an organisation does not yet have annual accounts, other satisfactory evidence of an organisation's financial position and financial management must be provided e.g. copy of recent bank statement, copy of cash book, testimonial from another funder.

Project Budget
A detailed budget for the project showing all projected income and expenditure is required.
- Organisations registered for GST should provide financial information exclusive of GST. For GST registered organisations GST will be added to the GEF grant except for items which do not have a GST component e.g. costs incurred overseas.*
- Organisations not registered for GST should provide financial information inclusive of GST.

Budget items should be specific and understandable

Items and amounts GEF is being requested to fund, up to $15,000 ex GST, should be clearly identified.

Items and amounts to be funded from sources external to the organization should be identified, with the sources detailed and indication of which sources/funds are secured, and which are proposed.

GEF will fund wages or personnel fees but funding requests for wages or fees should be identified as a specific budget item and must be supported by a job description or task list.

*On receipt of the total funding the organisation will be liable to account for and pay the GST that is funded within the total grant. It is the responsibility of individual organisations to clarify and satisfy their obligations to the IRD, depending on whether or not they are registered under the GST provisions of current tax legislation.

Agencies Unable to Apply
- Schools and tertiary institutions
- Private sector, for-profit
- Government organisations
- The Development Resource Centre and the Council for International Development

The funding relationship between GEF and applicant must be direct. GEF does not fund third parties, unless they are providing an umbrella service for a not-for-profit agency that is not a legal entity.

Projects Unable to be Funded
- Activities linked to fundraising i.e. no explicit or implicit requests for money or donations are allowed. However, it is acceptable for an organisation to use projects that it may be supporting overseas as examples/case studies;
- Activities to promote a specific political party or its policies; and
- Activities to promote a particular religious belief.

As a general rule GEF will not fund:
- Media (books, films, posters, websites etc) developed without the input of an education specialist and / or unaccompanied by educational materials.
- Prize money

BETTER MEETING GEF'S SELECTION CRITERIA