Student Theatre & Performance Grant

The person submitting the Application must be a current University of Melbourne Student. If you do not fulfill this criteria, you must nominate a current student in your theatre group to be the Project Lead/Applicant.

The following is an abridged version of eligibility criteria:

• No funding is going towards any academic assignment or coursework activity.
• At least 75% of the personnel involved in the project are currently enrolled students in any University of Melbourne course (undergraduate or graduate).
• It is a requirement that the new work will result in a production/performance occurring within one year of the grant being approved.
• No students are being paid.
• When partnering with an industry mentor, it is required that an acknowledgment of agreement is supplied via the application form.

Please ensure you read the downloadable Student Theatre & Performance Grant Guidelines below; in full, prior to completing an application.

Student Theatre & Performance 2026 Guidelines

Theatre & Performance Groups or individuals may apply for a grant at any of the following domains in the creative process:

• Developing an idea for an original work; or
• Putting on an existing or original work; or
• Start-up of a group/inaugural project*

Please ensure you read the downloadable Student Theatre & Performance Grant Guidelines below; in full, prior to completing an application.

*New Student Theatre Groups (from any campus) are strongly advised to become affiliated with Union House Theatre (UHT) where affiliation is free; and be provided essential support regarding budgeting, technical production, UoM venue options, and connections to workshops / training as well as the broader UoM student theatre community.

In selecting which application to fund, the selection committee will consider whether the project:

• Encourages innovation and creative risk taking?
• Encourages participation and engagement of students and audiences?
• Encourages diversity, inclusion and sustainability?
• Fosters new or existing collaborations of students and audiences?
• Demonstrates realistic financial and production planning?

Please read the Student Theatre & Performance Guidelines for full information and breakdown of eligibility criteria.

When completing your Smarty Grants application you will be required to provide (if applicable) 

The following documents may be required as part of your Application evidence:

• Evidence of support if you are partnering with an industry mentor. This can be in the form of an email or letter on letterhead (PDF).
• Budget explanatory Notes.
  • Please provide a single PDF, explaining any budget points or highlights, supporting evidence such as quotes if required for your proposed budget
• Additional Information as a single PDF that may support your application

The following documents may be required as part of your Acquittal evidence:

• Copies (PDF scan preferred) of receipts/invoices etc. pertaining to all grant spending for the Student Theatre Grant

If you are successful, the Acquittal Report must be submitted within one month after completion of your project or performance and encompass an evaluation report on the final activities delivered alongside a financial expenditure report.

• Any unspent funds must be declared in the acquittal. Unspent funds of $100 or greater must be refunded to the University.
• The University of Melbourne may use any information provided in through the Student Theatre & Performance Grant Program process for promotional purposes.

2022 Theatre Board Grants Program Recipients

For any further clarification, assistance and/or advice on the current Student Theatre & Performance Grant rounds, application support; please contact the Impact Grants Team:

• Student Theatre & Performance Grants Program – impactgrants-team@unimelb.edu.au

For any further support and venue clarification, assistance and/or advice:

• Student theatre groups, venues and Union House Theatre – Xanthe Beesley: xanthe.beesley@union.unimelb.edu.au