NDC GRANT GUIDELINES

The purpose of the NDC Grants Programme is to further the art of dance in New Zealand.

The Programme aims to remove barriers and create opportunities for dancers to participate,

develop, and achieve excellence in dance.

The Programme is guided by the following principles:

● Support the development of dancers.

● Encourage both participation and excellence in dance.

● Prioritise accessibility and the reduction of financial barriers.

● Assess all applications on their individual merit.

● Apply fair, consistent, and transparent decision-making.

● Distribute funding equitably within available resources.

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to those who competed at National Dance Challenge 2026, including:

● Individual dancers

● Schools

● Dance studios

● Dance groups or teams

Eligibility does not guarantee funding.

Funding Priorities

Priority will generally be given to applications that:

● Support training, education, and dancer development.

● Increase access to opportunities that may otherwise be unaffordable.

● Demonstrate clear benefit to dancers and the wider community.

● Reduce financial barriers to participation.

● Support progression and excellence in dance.

Funding Categories

Applications may include (but are not limited to):

● Participation and Access

● Development

● Community Impact

● Excellence and Opportunity

The Committee may also consider other applications that align with the purpose of the Programme.

Assessment

Applications are assessed against the following criteria:

● Alignment with the Programme's purpose.

● Benefit to dancers and the wider dance community.

● Financial need and barriers to participation.

● Commitment, achievement, potential, and excellence.

● Value for money.

● Fair distribution of funding.

● Sustainability of benefit.

No applicant type is automatically prioritised.

Funding Amounts

Grant amounts are determined by the Committee on a case-by-case basis. Funding decisions

will consider:

● The merits of the application.

● Available funding.

● Any applicable funding caps.

Applicants should not assume they will automatically receive a grant or receive the full amount requested.

Repeat Applications

To ensure fair distribution of funding:

● A stand-down period may apply to previous recipients.

● Repeat applications are considered under current Committee policy.

● Previous funding does not guarantee future awards.

Application Requirements

Applicants may be required to provide:

● Details of the activity or project.

● Intended use of funds.

● Budget or cost breakdown.

● Evidence of financial need (where relevant).

● Any supporting information requested.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Decision Making

All applications are assessed by the NDC Grants Committee.

The Committee may:

● Approve or decline applications.

● Award partial funding.

● Request additional information.

All decisions are at the Committee's discretion and are final.

Communication

Applicants will be notified of the outcome in writing.

Accountability

Grant funding must be used for the purpose outlined in the application and spent within three

months of being deposited into the recipient's bank account. Any funding that is not spent within

this timeframe, or is not used for the approved purpose, must be returned. Recipients may be

asked to provide evidence of how the grant was spent.

Review

These guidelines are reviewed annually to ensure they remain aligned with the purpose of the

Programme and the needs of the dance community.