Support for Special Achievers 2026-2027

The Support for Special Achievers Program supports gifted and talented people who live in the Camden Local Government Area by providing monetary assistance towards the costs of participating in a cultural, academic or sporting event where they have been selected, through a merit-based process, to represent NSW or Australia. 

Applicants may apply for up to 10% of their total eligible costs, up to $750 if representing NSW and up to $1,000 if representing Australia. 

Applicants may apply once per Council term, or twice if they are selected to represent NSW and then Australia within the same Council term. Applications can be made up to 12 months retrospectively. 

The program operates under Camden Council’s Community Financial Assistance Policy and supports transparent, equitable and merit-based consideration of requests. 

Please note that processing time may be at least six weeks due to the volume of applications and the number of signatures required. Timeframes may increase if all required paperwork is not submitted correctly. 

• The cultural, academic or sporting activity must be of amateur status and generally promoted by a not-for-profit organisation; 

• The applicant must have been selected on merit to represent NSW or Australia in their chosen field; 

• Evidence of selection through a merit-based process must be provided; 

• The applicant must be a resident of the Camden Local Government Area; 

• The applicant may apply once per Council term, or twice if selected to represent NSW and then Australia within the same Council term; 

• Payments will be calculated on the basis of 10% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $750 for applicants representing NSW or $1,000 for applicants representing Australia; and 

• Evidence of costs incurred must be provided with the request. 

Council does not usually provide funding through this program for professional activities, general participation costs that do not involve selection to represent NSW or Australia, or requests that do not demonstrate a merit-based selection process. 

Applications will be assessed on the applicant’s eligibility, evidence of merit-based selection, level of representation, total eligible costs, previous support received under the program, demonstrated compliance with prior Council funding requirements and the availability of Council budget. 

Applications are assessed by Council Officers against the eligibility criteria and program intent, with approvals managed in accordance with Council’s Community Financial Assistance Policy and relevant delegations. Approval is subject to available budget and Council’s discretion. 

A detailed summary of approved support under the program will be reported in Council’s Annual Report. 

Successful applicants must use the funds only for the approved participation costs and provide evidence of the costs included in their application. Council may request further information if documentation is incomplete or unclear. 

• Evidence of selection to represent NSW or Australia through a merit-based process; 

• Evidence of residency in the Camden Local Government Area; 

• Invoices, receipts or other evidence of the costs included in the application; and 

• Bank account details. 

For more information please contact Community Project Officer - Grants 13 22 63 or email communitygrants@camden.nsw.gov.au.