Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series 2027–2028

The department is seeking is seeking to partner with:

• expert education organisations
• not-for-profit organisations
• universities
• tech schools
• science and mathematics specialist centres
• government schools.

Organisations should be equipped to offer programs that are designed to support high-ability students through the delivery of activities.

Not-for-profit organisations (including universities)

Selected providers must comply with the current Victorian Child Safe Standards before the department will execute a Common Funding Agreement. Resources and guidance to support organisations comply with the standard can be located at The Commission for Children and Young People website.

Providers will be required to enter into a Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) with the department and comply with the VCFA terms and conditions.

For a copy of the Victorian Common Funding Agreement (Standard Form), including terms and conditions, please contact Student Excellence.

Government schools

The department will establish an Initiative Agreement with each selected government school for the operational budget amount outlined in the application. Each school will be required to manage reimbursement request submissions against the Initiative Agreement.

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Criteria 1: Alignment with curriculum

Weighting = 10%

The extent to which the proposed program is in alignment with the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

Applicants should address:

• the alignment of the proposed program to learning areas and/or capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

Criteria 2: catering to and supporting high ability

Weighting = 20%

The extent to which the organisation can provide activities that are designed to enrich, extend and challenge high-ability students, and will support them in connecting with likeability peers.

Applicants should outline how the program:

• is designed to engage and cater to high-ability students
• will incorporate higher-order thinking skills
• uses flexibility and creativity to engage high-ability students
• will provide high-ability students with access to advanced or deeper content and processes
• will promote interaction and the building of connections between participants.

Criteria 3: Organisational expertise – program

Weighting = 20%

The extent to which the organisation has the appropriate knowledge, skills, and expertise to successfully deliver the proposed program to school-aged children.

Applicants should address:

• the personnel within the organisation who will be responsible for developing and delivering the program
• the professional capability and qualifications of these personnel

Criteria 4: Organisational expertise – admin and promotions

Weighting = 15%

The extent to which the organisation has the capacity to administer and promote the proposed program, inclusive of running a registration process in line with department requirements.

Applicants should address:

• how they will schedule and deliver the events (venue, platform etc), noting that activities outside of school hours are highly regarded
• how they will promote the program to attract participants (a high-level marketing plan) including a section on addressing priority cohort participation
• how they will meet participant survey requirements set by the department
• how they will track participation, engagement, and expenditure for reporting and funding acquittal requirements.

Criteria 5: Inclusivity

Weighting: 15%

The extent to which the organisation has the capacity to deliver an inclusive program.

Applicants should address:

• the setting of internal targets for the participation of priority cohorts such as First Nations students, those from regional/rural areas, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
• what steps will be undertaken to ensure the internal targets are met
• how the program will be designed to support twice-exceptional students.

Criteria 6: Cost effectiveness

Weighting: 10%

The extent to which the organisation can deliver a cost-effective program and demonstrate responsible use of public funds.

Applicants should address:

• all costs associated with delivery of the program, including any facilities, travel, accommodation, resources, software etc.
• a cost-per-head figure, calculated as the total of all costs associated with the delivery of each activity/ies divided by the proposed participant number for each activity.

Criteria 7: Risk management

Weighting: 10%

The extent to which the organisation can demonstrate satisfactory risk management processes and procedures.

Applicants should address:

• their approach to identifying and mitigating risks associated with the delivery of their proposed program.

Applicant should supply (as attachments):

• all requested certificates of insurance or currency (where applicable).

Applicant should attest that:

• all staff associated with the delivery of the program will either have a valid Working with Children Check or a current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration and will be able to supply copies when submitting their project plan.

Factors of consideration

In determining the successful applications, the department will take into consideration across the full series of activities:

• Coverage across the Victorian Curriculum F–10.
• Access for students from Foundation to Year 10, noting that an individual organisation is not expected to address all year levels.
• Access for students in all areas of Victoria.
• Access for student from underrepresented cohorts such as First Nations and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Access for students with disabilities.

The department will also highly regard proposals that:

• offer inter-disciplinary activities
• outline a plan for regional incursion delivery of activities.

The department will convene a panel to assess and rank each application against the selection criteria outlined above.

Guidelines

Before commencing your application, please read the VCES 2027–2028 Funding Guidelines and Applications Process.

• VCES 2027–2028 Funding Guidelines and Applications Process(opens in a new window) (DOCX | 631KB)

Application Form

Once you have read the guidelines, please download a copy of the VCES 2027–2028 Application Form and submit your application to student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au.

• VCES 2027–2028 Application Form(opens in a new window) | Fillable form (PDF | 2.22MB)
• VCES 2027–2028 Application Form(opens in a new window) | Accessible fillable form (DOCX | 573KB)

Applications must be made by completing all sections of the VCES 2027–2028 Application Form and submitting all required attachments.

Prior to submitting your application, please ensure that:

• you have read the program guidelines carefully to ensure your organisation is eligible
• your application meets all of the selection criteria
• your application is written in clear, plain English, adheres to any specific word-limits, and does not assume prior knowledge of your organisation or current program offerings
• you have spoken to Student Excellence well in advance of closing date if you have any questions.

Note

The department may contact applicants to obtain further information in relation to applications.

All queries regarding the application process should be directed to student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au.