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Natural Disaster Recovery
Initiative
Policy Document
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE
POLICY DOCUMENT
UNSW Australia acknowledges the devastation that natural disasters around the
world bring to the lives of many, including those with connections to the UNSW
Australia community.
UNSW Australia already has workplace giving arrangements in place and provides
support where it can in relation to natural disasters. Information is available at
https://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/forms/workplace-giving.pdf
Across UNSW Australia we possess a wide range of expertise which may support
and assist areas affected by natural disaster to rebuild community and infrastructure
in the recovery and rebuilding phases.
Accordingly, the Vice-Chancellor has established an Initiative by which UNSW
Academic staff can seek funding for small academic projects designed to provide
support to communities impacted by natural disasters around the world, during the
recovery and rebuilding phase. This is the Natural Disaster Recovery Support
Initiative.
WHAT IS THE NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY SUPPORT INITIATIVE?
This is a mechanism by which UNSW Australia staff can seek funding from the
University for small academic projects designed to support, and build the capacity of,
communities impacted by natural disasters around the world, during the recovery
and rebuilding phase.
This initiative will provide for $25,000 per year to be distributed in awards of up to
$5,000 each. The funding is not for travel to the affected area, but rather for
academic activities to support recovery.
HOW DOES THIS FIT WITH EXISTING WORKPLACE GIVING
ARRANGEMENTS?
This Initiative supplements UNSW Australia’s workplace giving arrangements and
encourages academic staff to deploy their skills and expertise to support recovery
efforts in relation to natural disasters.
Information about the Initiative is available at
https://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/forms/workplace-giving.pdf
HOW DO STAFF APPLY?
Interested staff can access the application form from the President’s Website. The
form must be endorsed by their Head of School/Centre Director and Dean and then
submitted to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for travel approval.
The Office of the Vice-Chancellor will have the final decision to approve funding.
After a decision is made applicants will be advised of the outcome.
WHAT CRITERIA WILL USED TO ASSESS APPLICATIONS?
Applications will be assessed against the strategic objectives of UNSW and the
cogency of the proposal, the apparent capacity for development into a larger project
with potential to deliver tangible outcomes in terms of capacity building and recovery;
engagement with local resources and communities, and interaction with aid agencies
and redevelopment projects.
Funding will only be granted if the relevant decision makers consider the application
meets the assessment criteria.
Applications will be considered as and when they are received, and if available funds
for the Initiative are available and at the discretion at the Office of the Vice
Chancellor and/or their delegate.