ACT Adult Community Education (ACE) Grants Program
The ACT ACE Grants Program provides funding for the delivery of quality foundation skills training in accessible and inclusive community settings, to support Canberrans experiencing barriers to learning, training and work.
Adult community education plays a critical and unique role alongside Canberra’s vocational education and training sector.
The ACT ACE Grants Program has been in operation since 1998. This demonstrates the ACT Government’s ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with not-for-profit community organisations and registered training organisations to maximise positive outcomes from the ACE sector in the ACT.
The ACT ACE Grants Program supports the delivery of accredited and non-accredited foundation skills learning activities. These activities enable participants ― aged 17 years or older ― to engage in informal learning that makes formal training possible and future employment more likely.
2025-27 ACT ACE Funding Round
Applications for the 2025-27 ACT Adult Community Education (ACE) Grants Program are now open.
Applications close at 5:00pm Monday 17 November 2025.
This program provides the financial assistance to eligible not-for-profit organisations to deliver projects that support Canberrans aged 17 years and older who are experiencing barriers to learning, training and work. The aim is to help participants develop and apply foundation skills needed to successfully engage in vocational education and training courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, higher education and employment, enabling them to participate effectively in the workforce and contribute to Canberra’s economic future.
Program highlights
- Who can apply? Not-for-profit organisations delivering programs for Canberrans facing barriers to education, training or employment. Applicant not-for-profit organisations can propose to subcontract one or more components of their project to for-profit or not-for-profit organisations, including registered training organisations.
- Funding available: Up to $200,000 per project (increased from $80,000) for projects running from February 2026 to December 2027.
- Program priorities: Projects that address gaps in service delivery and meet the foundation skills needs of priority cohorts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners. Partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are strongly encouraged.
- New biennial model: This is the first round to be administered every two years, providing greater continuity in ACE foundation skills training.
Funding for this round is supported by the National Skills Agreement under the Ensuring Access to Foundation Skills Bilateral Implementation Plan.
How to apply
Apply through the 2025-27 ACT Adult Community Education (ACE) Grants Program online application form.
Before applying, please review the 2025-27 ACT Adult Community Education (ACE) Grants Program Guidelines (DOCX 772KB) or (PDF 455KB). These guidelines provide detailed information on eligibility, funding priorities and application requirements.
Key dates
- Applications open at 9:00am Thursday 18 September 2025
- Applications close at 5:00pm Monday 17 November 2025
- Project delivery period from February 2026 to December 2027
- Online information session at 11:00am Tuesday 30 September 2025 - Register online
2025-27 ACE Grants Program information and resources
Previous ACT ACE Grants Program funding recipients
ACT ACE Grants Program reporting
For questions about the reporting requirements and timeframes, please refer to your Deed of Grant or email Skills Canberra.
For questions or issues relating to SmartyGrants, please email Finance and Business Services.
