ICUP Grant Programs

Intercultural Understanding Partnership Programs (ICUP)

Applications Now Open For ICUP 2022-2023 Grants

ICUP JCMA - Carranballac June 2021

The Intercultural Understanding Partnership (ICUP) is a national initiative created by Together For Humanity (TFH) and funded by the Australian Government partnering with theJewish Christian Muslim Association (JCMA) in Victoria andThe Abraham Institutein South Australia.

Each year, schools are invited to apply for the program. Successful schools receive consultation time with intercultural experts and financial support to improve the learning and wellbeing of students by addressinga cross-cultural and/or interfaith challenge in their school community. Download program flyer here ICUP 2022-2023

How To Apply

Complete an online application here online application form or download an Expression of Interest Form 2022-EOI and email application to mark@togetherforhumanity.org.au. Applications close 1 December 2021.

For Information

VisitICUP FAQs, download ICUP FAQ’s or contact Ginette on 0400 211 221 for more information or to see if this program is right for your school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ICUP?

The Intercultural Understanding Partnership (ICUP) is a national initiative created by Together For Humanity and funded by the Australian Government. Each year, schools are invited to apply for the program. Successful schools receive consultation time with intercultural experts and financial support to improve the learning and wellbeing of students by addressing a cross-cultural challenge in their school community.

Is your school eligible to apply?

If you are an Australian school that has identified a cross-cultural challenge in your school community and would like assistance to address it, you are eligible to apply.

Public, private, independent, faith-based, regional, metropolitan, Primary, Secondary, K-12 and Central schools are all eligible to apply.

How do you apply?

To apply, complete our online Expression of Interest (EOI) or download the EOI pdf and email it to mark@togetherforhumanity.org.au

Applications close 1 December 2021.

Applicants may be contacted for further information.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a follow-up interview.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

What does an ICUP school actually do?

ICUP schools create their own ICUP team who, together with one of our ICUP facilitators, develops, implements and monitors their ICUP Action Plan. The ICUP Action Plan directly addresses the cross-cultural challenge identified by the school. ICUP funds are used to support the plan.

Some examples of ICUP Action Plans

The ICUP team consists of at least three people, often includes a member of the school leadership team, and can include community members and students. Supported by the ICUP facilitator, the team leads and facilitates initiatives in the school community.

The team records their progress (images, videos, curriculum plans, reflections, social media, etc.) and shares it with other ICUP schools on our ICUP microsite, a closed online learning community. The knowledge sharing and peer learning is invaluable.

When do you find out if your application has been successful?

The timings for determining grant recipients is as follows:

  • 1st December 2021:due date for Expressions of Interest to be received
  • 17th December 2021:announcement of shortlisted schools/project
  • February 2022:interviews with shortlisted schools/projects
  • 1st March 2022:announcement of ICUP 2022 grant recipients

Applicants may be contacted for further information. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a follow-up interview. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

How much money will you get?

Schools will apply for up to $10,000 (ex GST) to fund their project.

Can you use the money however you want?

Schools can only use their grant funds to address strategies in their ICUP Action Plan. The ICUP Action Plan is developed by the school in collaboration with their ICUP facilitator. Examples of ICUP Action Plans.

What can ICUP offer your school?

Working in partnership with us, you will receive time with and expertise from our Education team + financial resources to allow your staff the time to meet and plan.

  • Intercultural understanding expertise
    We have an experienced team of educators from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds who support teachers to implement curriculum and wellbeing goals around intercultural understanding and diversity. We also have a strong network of colleagues from diverse communities that we can call upon for advice and support to address specific cultural issues. Our partnerships with universities continue to inform our evidence-based approach.
  • Capacity building
    We can equip teachers with the knowledge and understanding, teaching strategies and language to support learners and school communities. We offer face-to-face training for staff, and teachers can access our free online Professional Development programs. All training courses are linked to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
  • Financial support
    Partner schools will receiveup to $10,000to support their participation in the program. Part of this money must be spent on teacher release time for activities such as curriculum planning, professional development, community engagement planning and activities.

What do you mean by partnership?’

We believe that working together is more effective than working in isolation. Good partnerships create benefits for both partners. We do not value transactional partnerships where organisations and schools work simply to advance their own priorities – a quid pro quo exchange. Rather, we value partnerships where we work collaboratively towards a common goal.

What is the thinking behind ICUP?

ICUP is based around eight principles that research (Deakin University, 2015) has shown can improve intercultural capabilities in schools:

  1. Principals make a difference: The Principal needs to be supportive of the recommendations from the team and advocate for the work the team is doing within their community.
  2. Good decision making is research-based: Staff and students may be expected to complete surveys and the survey results, along with qualitative data, will inform the ICUP plan.
  3. Finances are used strategically: Spending is aligned with the ICUP plan. The team is accountable.
  4. Professional learning is key: Teachers are key to promoting and modelling intercultural understanding among students. Teacher PD will be part of the ICUP plan with priorities determined through the collection of data.
  5. Personal intercultural experiences are valuable: Interschool opportunities, travel to cultural sites and online communication may be part of the ICUP plan.
  6. Learning environments are inclusive: When nurtured in all four areas – among students, staff, parents and community – the development of intercultural capabilities is most effective.
  7. Whole school approaches are essential: The ICUP plan considers whole school approaches to foster intercultural capabilities.

Who are we?

Together For Humanity
Together For Humanity (TFH) is an educational, not-for-profit organisation that works with school communities to combat prejudice, teaching students how to deal with differences and supporting teachers to create culturally inclusive classrooms. Since 2002, TFH has reached nearly half a million, primarily young, Australians through its programs that foster greater connection and inclusion.

TFH has teams in New South Wales and Queensland, and works in collaboration with our partnersThe Jewish Christian Muslim Association (JCMA)in Victoria,The Abraham Institutein South Australia andThe Museum of Freedom and Tolerancein Western Australia.

JCMA
Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (JCMA)delivers education programs for primary and secondary students and professional development for teachers in Victoria. The schools program established in 2007 promotes awareness and understanding of different faiths and cultures. As a registered harm prevention charity, JCMA aims to counter racism and discrimination.

The Abraham Institute
The Abraham Instituteis an educational organisation which promotes interfaith and intercultural dialogue and understanding. It aims to develop an ongoing dialogue among people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and encourage greater understanding of religious and cultural minorities through education in schools, as well as events for the general public.

More questions?

Contact TFH Education Director Mark van Ommen onmark@togetherforhumanity.org.auor 0402 634 130.

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TFH logoThe Abraham Institute Logo