Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)

Grants for WA schools to promote and advance reconciliation.

Funding assistance is available for your school to complete a PALS project. PALS projects are varied, and your school may already be involved with initiatives that are eligible for PALS funding. PALS funding is available to all WA primary and secondary schools and encourages schools with and without Aboriginal students to participate.

PALS is an initiative of the department which encourages WA schools to develop projects that promote reconciliation in their local community. PALS is based on the core attributes of:

Partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.
Acceptance of and respect for diversity and valuing Aboriginal perspectives.
Learning more about each other, Aboriginal histories, languages and cultures; and how we can build strong partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Sharing a common journey towards healing and reconciliation.

PALS Applications will only be accepted via the Culture and the ArtsOnline Grants portal. When the program is open you can click on ‘Submit an application’ to be directed to the new portal. (The previously dedicated PALS Online Grants Portal has now closed for applications).

Reconciliation

PALS projects must focus on reconciliation and align with one or more of our six categories. In addition, an in class learning component is mandatory and must feature with your grant.

Eligibility

All WA primary and secondary schools.

Funding rounds

Round	Open	Draft review	Close	Project start/event dates	Category
2024 — 2025	9:00am 31 October 2023	Not applicable	4:00pm 27 March 2024	At least 60 days after application date	Arts Community Relationships Connecting to Country and Culture History Inclusive Environments Language

Funding overview

Funding open

Who can apply

Amount available

Tier 1: $1000 per annum for 2 years (2024 and 2025)
Tier 2: $1500 per annum for 2 years (2024 and 2025)

Guidelines

You must read the guidelines before submitting an application as they provide essential information.

Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) guidelines

Submit an application

Funding categories

Category	Objectives	What you can apply for
Arts	Embracing traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art by exploring visual and performing art forms; engaging with Aboriginal people to share traditional knowledge, to learn and practice these art forms and to understand the role of art as a means of story-telling in Aboriginal culture.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Community Relationships	Building collaborative, trusting and respectful relationships with Aboriginal students, families and communities; developing and maintaining sustainable partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people across the entire school community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Connecting to Country and Culture	Exploring the strong spiritual connection between Aboriginal people and Country including the importance of land, caring for country and using natural resources in a sustainable manner; spending time on country; and learning about the historical and cultural significance of the school’s local area.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
History	Increasing staff and students’ knowledge of Aboriginal histories and cultures, including understanding significant Aboriginal people, places or events; exploring the impacts of colonisation; understanding how historical events are relevant in a contemporary context in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Inclusive Environments	Creating learning environments that respect the cultures, languages and experiences of Aboriginal people; creating a physical space that enables students to learn in settings that are connected to local histories, cultures and languages; establishing initiatives and approaches that support the physical health and social and emotional wellbeing of students.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Language	Increasing awareness and appreciation of local Aboriginal languages by exploring culture through storytelling, contemporary literature and written and visual resources; collaborating with local Aboriginal families and communities to appreciate the diversity and importance of Aboriginal languages within the school and broader community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.

Guidelines and resources

Please refer to the following documents for more information before applying

PALS program guidelines

PALS Project Toolkit

The PALS Project Toolkit is designed to assist you with planning and developing your project. It provides:

an overview of the six funding categories
ideas for possible projects
past examples of successful projects
a list of recommended resources.

PALS Project Toolkit

PALS Project Toolkit: Connecting to Curriculum

This document is an information resource that provides you with examples of different aspects of the Western Australian Curriculum that align with the six PALS project categories from pre-primary to year 10. It also provides specific examples under each code on how to connect the code to the teaching and learning of Aboriginal histories and cultures.

PALS Project Curriculum (pdf) 1700 KB