The round is the fourth under the $46 million National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP). Applications opened on the 14th of November and close on the 29th of January 2010.
The NRRHIP grants can be used to build new and improve existing facilities as well as for the purchase of medical equipment. Proposals that increase training facilities in practices are also eligible.
The Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon, said the NRRHIP was a competitive grant program with the aim of providing health infrastructure and equipment to improve health care in rural and remote areas.
“It will also assist strategic planning in small rural private hospitals,” Mr Snowdon said.
To be eligible, each application must be for no more than $500,000 and be located in communities with a population no greater than 20,000. There is no requirement for matching funds.
Private medical practitioners can apply for funds for training facilities for medical students or registrars. Divisions of General Practice and local government organisations can seek money for establishing medical and health facilities on public hospital or health campus grounds.
Mr Snowdon said the first three NRRHIP rounds had funded 137 projects, totalling $27.9 million.
Further information on how to apply is available online from the Department of Health and Ageing website at http://www.health.gov.au/nrrhip.
