Capital Development Pool (CDP) Programme

Proposals are sought in one competitive round held every year. 

The Government announced in the 2006-07 budget that additional CDP funding of $95.5 million will be provided over four years to support higher education providers in developing up-to-date infrastructure for teaching and learning in areas that have high infrastructure needs, commencing in 2007.

Typically, $45 million has been available for allocation in each round.  However, we have received verbal advice from DEST that $70m funding will be available through the 2007 programme.  This round will be to fund two-year projects (2009-2010) or single year projects (2010).

Previous Funding

Almost $45 million (2005 dollars) was made available for allocation in 2008 involving 18 projects across 16 universities.  Also three projects were allocated $4.2 million through the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative for 2006.  Analysis of CDP funding round for 2005 (rtf 208kb)

A total of $93.8 million has been made available for projects in 2007, 2008 and 2009.  This involved 34 projects across 27 universities.  Analysis of CDP funding round for 2006 (rtf 207kb)

Current Funding

The next round of funding is now open for submissions.  The DEST closing date for electronic copies is 6 July and for hard copies is 11 July 2007.   Monash closing date is to be advised.

Potential applicants are advised to focus strongly on:

Regional and Growth Areas

Development of, or in, new campuses in suburban growth corridors and regional centres. Priority will be given to projects which support greater collaboration between higher education providers; vocational education and training providers; the private sector and other organisations.

New Capital Development Projects

Focus should be on new capital development projects which impact on the delivery of education. Particularly engineering, dentistry science, mathematics, nursing and teaching high school (especially maths and science) and areas of skill demand and shortages.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Projects

Prospective grant applicants should focus on areas that improve the cost effectiveness of education. These projects will need to have a direct relationship with the delivery of education. The impact on students and capacity of students that can undertake courses should also be identified.

Contribution of University and other stakeholders

Important to note that DEST will rarely fully fund a CDP project.  It is expected that the university and/or collaborating partners will contribute to the project.