Digital Specialist in Residence – for First Nations Organisations
Key dates
Applications open: Tuesday 21 October 2025
Applications close: Tuesday 2 December 2025 (3pm AEST)
Additional dates
Notifications: Late December 2025
Residency dates: 2 February – 15 May 2026
Contact
Tammy Close
Project Manager
Ph: (02) 9215 9145
E: tammy.close@creative.gov.au.
Book an online meeting via this link.
Resources
Download the Guidelines (PDF).
Download the FAQS (PDF).
Please note: Are you registering to use our Application Management System for the first time? Make sure you register well before the closing date. It can take up to two business days to process your registration.
About the opportunity
The Digital Specialist in Residence - for First Nations Organisations program provides First Nations arts and culture organisations with fourteen (14) weeks' access to a digital specialist who will assist in the development of the organisation’s Digital Capacity Strategy.
The digital specialist will collaborate with the organisation in four phases:
- Assess: the specialist will guide you through a process to identify the organisation’s current digital capacity
- Vision: a process of vision and investigation to identify digital challenges and opportunities for your organisation
- Development: development of a digital project tailored to the value, people and context of the organisation
- Pilot & Refine: launch project, evaluate early learnings, present findings.
Seed Funding
This program also provides $3,000, seed funding to assist in piloting a new digitally led project. You will work with the digital specialist on your proposed digital project idea during the course of the residency.
Please note: You do not need to supply a budget with your application.
Image: Patrina Munuŋgurr, The Mulka Project, Warwuyun Gurra Wäŋawu (Sorrow For Home), 2020
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Digital Specialist in Residence - for First Nations Organisations program, you must:
- be a First Nations organisation with more than half (51% or more) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait membership of its governance board
- be based in Australia and making Australian work
- not be a previous recipient of the former Digital Strategist-in-Residence Program
- nominate two or more digital champions within your organisation.
First Nations organisations can come from any:
- art form practice
- any location
- scale or size of organisation
- main activity, including performing, producing, service or collecting
- existing level of digital readiness or capability.
Please note:
- You can only submit one application for this grant initiative.
- You are eligible to apply whether or not your organisation currently receives funding from Creative Australia.
Who can’t apply?
You can’t apply if you:
- are an individual
- are a group
- are a non-First Nations organisation
- are based outside of Australia
- are a screen or film-based organisation
- already have received funding for the same project from Creative Australia
- have an overdue grant report with Creative Australia
- owe money to Creative Australia.
Protocols
Your application must comply with the following protocols (if applicable). We may contact you to request further information during the assessment process, or if successful and a special condition is required as part of your funding contract.
Protocols for Using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts
It is recommended to follow these protocols if your project involves working/collaborating/consulting with other First Nations artists, arts and culture workers, organisations, communities, or subject matter.
Resources:
- Protocols for using First Nations cultural and intellectual property in the arts
- Animation on how First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocols are used in assessments
Commonwealth Child Safe Framework
All successful applicants are required to comply with all Australian laws relating to employing or engaging people who work or volunteer with children, including working with children checks and mandatory reporting. Successful organisations that provide services directly to children, or whose funded activities involve contact with children, will additionally be required to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Assessment
Assessment process
Creative Australia staff, or in some cases external Industry Advisors, will assess the applications against the assessment criteria listed below. Creative Australia staff will consider how the proposed activities align with the aims of the fund when making final decisions on submissions.
Assessment Criteria
Under each criterion are bullet points indicating what assessors may consider when assessing your application. You do not need to respond to every bullet point listed.
Alignment
Assessors will consider the organisation’s:
- current digital arts strategy and the ability to address the needs/gaps of digital capacity building
- capacity to strengthen digital skills and abilities of those involved and the career development of its staff.
Quality
Assessors will consider the organisation’s:
- proposed digital arts project and its relevance to the organisation’s area of practice and outcome.
Impact
Assessors will consider the organisation’s:
- commitment of training staff to mentor others in the workplace
- future digital arts strategy.
Application form
The types of questions we will ask you in the application form include:
About you:
- Introduce your organisation and the services it provides.
Alignment:
- Tell us about your current digital strategy. What has worked, and what are the gaps you have identified?
Quality:
- Tell us about the digital project you would like to deliver with the support of a digital specialist, and why?
Impact:
- How and in what way will this program enhance your organisation’s digital capacity?
Digital Champions
Please list your organisation's two Digital Champions who would participate in the program, if successful. (Please consider adding their short bios.)
Support material
It is recommended that your organisation provides:
- your organisation's website (URL)
- current digital strategy (URL or attachment)
- examples of past or current digital work led by the organisation (URL or attachment)
- short bios of organisation’s team structure
- letters of support/confirmation from the organisation’s two (2) nominated digital leaders that will be participating in the program (written form, audio form, or video form).
Ways of providing your support material
You can provide up to three URLs (weblinks) that link to content that is relevant to this program. This may include video, audio, images, or written material.
These URLs can include a total of:
- 10 minutes of video and/or audio recording
- 10 images
- 10 pages of written material.
Please note:
- The Assessors will not access any URLs that require them to log in or sign up to a platform.
- Please do not provide links to Spotify or other applications that require users to log in or pay for access.
- If you are linking to media files that are private or password-protected, such as Vimeo, please provide the password in the password field on the application form.
Other accepted file formats:
If you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your application in the following formats:
- video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
- audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
- images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
- written material (Word and PDF).
Please Note: We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. Application-related material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender.
If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact Tammy Close, Project Manager, First Nations Investment and Development.
Ph: (02) 9215 9145
How to apply
Are you registering to use our Application Management System for the first time? Make sure you register well before the closing date. It may take up to two business days to process your registration.
Once you have logged in, follow the next steps:
- select ‘Apply for a Grant’ from the left grey panel menu
- from the list of opportunities select 'Digital Specialist in Residence – for First Nations Organisations'
- complete the fields and select answers with dropdown menus
- select ‘Save’ as you work through the application
- if you are not ready to submit your application, you can return to it through ‘Your Draft Applications’ in the left panel menu at a later date
- when complete, please select ‘Submit’.
Additional information
After you apply
- Once you submit your application, you will be sent an email acknowledging receipt of your application.
- We will check that your application meets the eligibility criteria.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in late December 2025.
Successful applications
If successful:
- You will be sent an online agreement.
- Your organisation will be matched with an appropriate specialist from our group of creative technologists based on your needs and opportunities.
- The digital specialist will be available online for one day a week over fourteen (14) weeks.
- You will be required to complete an acquittal report at the conclusion of the program.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I apply?
You can only make one application per funding round. This means you can apply for other Creative Australia funding rounds at the same time if they are open.
You can check what other rounds are currently open via this link - Investment and development.
If our organisation has an overdue grant report (acquittal), can we still apply?
If you have an overdue grant report at the time of the pre-eligibility check, shortly after the closing date, you will not be eligible to apply for any further grants at Creative Australia until the grant report is submitted.
Can I send an application by post?
We do not accept applications submitted via post. Any material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, please contact Project Manager, to see if there is a way we can support you in applying.
What is the difference between a ‘group’ and an ‘organisation’?
We define a ‘group’ as two or more individuals who do not form a legally constituted organisation. This can include co-collaborators, creatives, and collectives.
An ‘organisation’ is a legally constituted organisation that is registered or created by law. For example, incorporated associations, companies limited by guarantee, or government statutory authorities are all defined as organisations.
Who are the digital specialists?
A digital specialist is someone who helps a business or organisation use digital tools and technology effectively.
A digital specialist can:
- create and manage online content (like websites, social media, or digital ads)
- use data and tools to improve how people find and interact with a brand online
- support digital projects like launching a new app, website, or online campaign
- stay up to date with the latest tech trends to help the business stay competitive.
What is the time commitment?
The Digital Specialist will be available online for one day each week across the fourteen-week residency. This will include some mutual contact hours each week (as well as the Specialist’s research and planning time for your organisation).
How does the seed funding work?
This program provides $3000 seed funding to assist in prototyping or piloting your digitally led project. These funds will be granted to the successful applicants and will be given detailed instructions on this process.
Please note:
- You do not need to supply a budget with your application.
- You will be required to complete an acquittal report at the conclusion of the program.
Can my application be updated once it has been submitted?
We do not amend, correct, update, or change any part of your application once it has been submitted.
Can I submit my application after the closing date and time?
No, you must submit your application on the closing date stated in the Guidelines.
Administrative and technical support is only available during office hours (Monday-Friday) 9am to 5 pm AEDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please contact the Project Manager, before the closing date and time if you are having difficulty submitting your application.
How do I provide support material with my online application?
The online application has a Support Material section, which allows you to directly upload files and provide URL links. Please make sure the URL links are accessible, and if requiring a password, please provide this information in the application so the Assessors can access this content.
What happens to my online application after I have submitted it?
You will receive an 'Acknowledgement of submission' email from us acknowledging our receipt of your online application. You should keep a copy of this email as proof of your submission.
Your application will be assessed, and you will receive the outcome decision of your application in late December 2025.
Can I withdraw my online application after it has been submitted?
Yes, you can request that your application be withdrawn at any time up to the start of the assessment meeting. You will need to email the Project Manager with your request along with your six-digit application ID number. We will record this information and withdraw your application as requested.
Who will be assessing my application?
Creative Australia staff, or in some cases external Industry Advisors, will assess the applications against the assessment criteria (Alignment, Quality and Impact) and will consider how the proposed activities align with the aims of the fund when making final decisions on submissions.
How will I find out about my application outcome?
You will receive an email notification of the outcome decision of your application in late December 2025.
If my application was unsuccessful, can I request feedback?
Yes, if you have been notified that your application was unsuccessful, you can request feedback on your application. Please contact the Project Manager to schedule a suitable time for feedback.
