The 2011 round of the ACCAN Grants Scheme opens today with $250,000 in funding to support consumer research, representation, or education projects related to communications in Australia.  The peak communications group says eligible community organisations, research bodies and individuals looking to fund communications projects can apply for funding of up to $60,000.

The aim of the scheme is to fund projects that help empower communities of consumers to act in their own interests; to enable consumers to navigate the challenges of the communications market; and to build on the sound body of evidence that supports ACCAN’s advocacy work.

This is the second year of the ACCAN Grants Scheme. Last year’s projects included a report on Privacy Complaints by the UNSW Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre, which examined the best path for consumers to take when making a communications-related privacy complaint.

This report subsequently enabled ACCAN, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Australian Communications and Media Authority to coordinate a swift response in the face of privacy breaches by Telstra and Vodafone in 2010.

Another 2010 ACCAN Grant recipient, the WA Deaf Society, last week launched a series of videos produced in Auslan warning Deaf consumers about online scams, that have since been included on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s SCAMwatch site.

“ACCAN is really pleased with the quality and diversity of projects that have been produced out of the Scheme and we look forward to seeing new ideas and applicants in this round,” said ACCAN Chief Executive Teresa Corbin.

The Guidelines and online application form are available at http://www.accan.org.au/grants, where you can also find a list of projects that have previously been funded under the Scheme, and a link to the ACCAN Strategic Plan 2010-2015.

ACCAN is encouraging interested parties to speak to its Grants team before submitting a completed application, via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning 02 9288 4000.

Applications for the 2011 Round of the Grants Scheme close Wednesday 20 April, 5pm AEST. The ACCAN Grants Scheme is administered by ACCAN as part of its funding from the Commonwealth Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.