Applications are now open for grants and internships through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS).
The MMAPSS grants program assists Australian organisations that actively care for, promote, interpret or display collections that contribute to an understanding of Australia, its people and developments, which have influenced its maritime history. Grants of up to $15,000 each are available for projects in the areas of:
- Collection management (registration, documentation and storage)
- Conservation (preservation, vessel restoration, conservation work/treatments and professional assessments)
- Presentation (research, development of exhibitions, establishing interpretative displays and workshops)
- Development of education or public programs which make Australia's maritime heritage more accessible to audiences
- Museological training for paid or unpaid workers of not-for-profit organisations caring for Australia's maritime collections
The floating museum AK Falie in South Australia were awarded $1,200 for their MMAPSS 2018 project, 'Signage for centenary of historic ketch Falie 1919-2019'. Pictured are the maintenance volunteers who affectionately call themselves the 'Port Pirates'. They meet twice a week and have done so since 2009.
Are you eligible?
For those involved in the collection, promotion and presentation of Australia's maritime heritage; up to $15,000 for projects and $3,000 for internships, plus in-kind (non-cash) support is available to assist with active care and display.
Board Director of the Tasmanian Sail Training Association Paul Murphy, with Indigenous Education Coordinator Elsie Amamoo during his internship at the museum in 2019. One of the aims of Paul's internship was to improve his understanding of the relationship between Indigenous Australians and the sea.
If your organisation has objects or collections that contribute to an understanding of Australia, its people and developments, which have influenced its maritime history, and you need support to care for and to provide quality public access to them, you could be eligible for a grant or an internship.
Be sure to read all the details on how to apply and also go through the past recipients list to get an idea of the types of projects that are supported. It's also recommended to contact the MMAPSS Coordinator to discuss your project and make sure that the expenses you're asking for are eligible.
If you have any questions about MMAPSS or want to discuss your project or eligibility, contact the MMAPPS Coordinator by phone on (02) 9298 3743 or email.
In support of those organisations affected by the summer of 2019–20 bushfire crises across the country, a priority weighting will be given by the Selection Committee to applications submitted by these organisations.
To demonstrate that your organisation has been affected by the summer of 2019–20 bush fires, please include details in the letter of support from the Head of your organisation which outline how the bush fires have affected your organisation.
If in the judgement of the Selection Committee the organisation submitting an application has been affected by the summer of 2019–20 bush fires an extra point will be given against each of the following selection criteria:
• Relevance to a specified target audience & the community in general
• Quality of the project in terms of its aims, content, rationale and likely benefit
Projects and applications will still need to abide by the MMAPSS eligibility criteria.
As always, MMAPSS is open to applications for cash grants, in-kind (non-cash) support and internships.
Applicants from organisations which have not been affected by the summer of 2019–20 bush fires are strongly encouraged to apply as usual.
For more information, a Q&A about this is available at: www.sea.museum/grants
Applications for grants close on 1 May 2020
The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.