2026 Integral Ecology Initiatives Grants

Celebrating the Canticle of the Creatures and living the spirit of Laudato si’
in a Special Year of St. Francis, 2026 is BIG!

The Project

As part of our 800^th anniversary celebrations, Franciscan Schools Australia (FSA), with support from the Franciscan Federation Australia (FFA) are offering grants to school communities.

The grants will be awarded to FSA member schools that respond creatively to care for the earth, that advance ecological spirituality and that integrate that spirituality into ongoing school life, practices and ethos.

Applications for 2026 Integral Ecology Initiatives Grants will be invited in Semester 2.

Show your school cares for our common home, Sister Mother Earth now and into the future while educating and activating others. Get creative with your integral ecology initiative and activities that provide both environmental and educational outcomes, along with health and social benefits.

See ‘Application Forms and Links‘ below – Clsoing date for Applications is yet to be announced.

Our Inspiration

Funding

A total of $10,000.00 (excluding GST) is available, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
Winning initiatives will not exceed the value of $5,000.00.

Eligibility

The school must be a current member of Franciscan Schools Australia
The project must have school leadership approval.
The school must accept legal and financial responsibility for the applicant’s project.

Details and Criteria of the Integral Ecology Initiative Grant:

Entries are invited from primary and secondary students in 2026 from FSA member schools and colleges.
Students are invited to submit an environmental, integral ecology initiative for their school community via the application form which can be written or in video form (3-4mins). Video applications are to be hosted on a school platform with a link provided to the Grants Team.
The initiative needs to show care for our Sister Mother Earth while educating and activating others.
An itemised budget with details specific to your initiative will be sought as part of the application process.
The funding will be for materials and services that are to be used directly for the nominated project.
The nominated initiative must be signed off by a member of the school’s leadership team.
At least one monetary grant will be awarded for winning initiatives in each school category
Applicants will be notified by post of the outcome of their application at at time to be announced.
Successful applicants have 12 months from the time of the notification of success to complete the project and acquit the grant, unless otherwise negotiated.
Permission will be sought for selected entries to be shared with the wider Franciscan family globally via electronic form.
Entries will be judged by a specialist panel consisting of three Franciscan religious and three educators from Franciscan Schools Australia.