Applications for the NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund closed on Friday 10 February 2023.

The NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund will support staff-led innovation projects that improve patient care and reduce our environmental footprint (either in emissions or waste).

About the fund

The NSW Health Sustainable Futures Innovation Fund provides funding to staff employed within local health districts, specialty health networks, pillar or support organisations.

The Fund is designed to build sustainable innovation capability and accelerate innovation projects that improve patient care and reduce our environmental footprint (either in emissions or waste).

A NSW Health employee of a host organisation within the health system must lead the project.

Application process

Applications for the fund are now open.

Applications must be supported by the Chief Executive of the Host Organisation.

Applications closed on Friday 10 February 2023.

All complete applications will be reviewed by the Expert Review Panel.

There are specific priority areas for the fund. Applications must address one of the priority areas:

• clinical care transformation
• travel and transport
• energy and assets
• procurement and waste
• pharmaceuticals and medicines.

Key dates

• November 2022 - Applications open
• 10 February 2023 - Submission deadline
• February 2023 - Application review period by Review Panel
• February 2023 - Application outcomes notified, feedback provided, and successful applications announced
• February/March 2023 - Funding awarded – timing will be discussed with successful applicants
• 30 June 2023 - Funds must be administered by the host organisation

Frequently asked questions

1. Eligibility
1. Can one individual apply for funding for more than one project?
2. Applicant
1. Does the applicant have to be an employee of NSW Health?
3. Host organisation
1. What is a host organisation?
2. If my project has two host organisations, do I submit two applications?
3. If a project is being conducted in more than one local health district, which should be the host organisation(s) and which should be partners?
4. Funding
1. What is maximum budget for the fund?
2. When will funding be provided to the host organisation?
3. What funding options are available?
5. Priority areas
1. Are there priority areas for the fund?

Eligibility

Can one individual apply for funding for more than one project?

Individuals may apply for funding for more than one innovation project. Each application must be endorsed by the Chief Executive of the Host Organisation. A maximum of five projects may be submitted by each Host Organisation.

Applicant

Does the applicant have to be an employee of NSW Health?

Yes, the applicant must be an employee of a NSW Health organisation that is either part of a local health district, specialty network, pillar or support organisations. The applicant should be employed by NSW Health for the duration of the project.

Host organisation

What is a host organisation?

Host organisations for fund projects must be one of the following:

• a local health district
• a specialty health network
• pillar, or
• NSW health organisation.

If my project has two host organisations, do I submit two applications?

No, do not submit two applications. Identify one lead host organisation and submit the application with the other host organisation as a partner organisation.

If a project is being conducted in more than one local health district, which should be the host organisation(s) and which should be partners?

Decisions regarding choice of host organisation will depend on the nature of the innovation project and the setting for practice change. Where the project will be conducted in more than one local health district, the host organisation should be the local health district that is driving the innovation project. Partner organisations should be those local health districts that are enabling the project.

Funding

What is maximum budget for the fund?

A maximum budget of $30,000 is permitted.

When will funding be provided to the host organisation?

Innovation funding will be provided to the host organisation from March 2023. The funds must be spent by 30 June 2023.

What funding options are available?

There is one funding option available for the fund:

Budget supplementation. This will be provided directly to the organisation. The funds must be spent by 30 June 2023 and cannot be rolled over. The NSW Ministry of Health will not be able to provide assistance in rolling over funds between financial years.

Priority areas

Are there priority areas for the fund?

There are specific priority areas for the fund. Applications must address one of the following priority areas:

• Clinical care transformation
• Travel and transport
• Energy and assets
• Procurement and waste
• Pharmaceuticals and medicines

Please contact us if you have any questions or require more information.