First Nations Clean Energy Projects – Pilot Grants

Purpose and Program Overview

The First Nations Clean Energy Projects – Pilot Grants program provides funding to help First Nations organisations progress clean energy projects beyond the feasibility stage and towards financial close. The program is administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and was announced as part of the implementation of the Australian Government’s First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.

A total of up to $10 million is available under this program, with funding intended to support up to two First Nations organisations. The program aims to build evidence of the factors that enable increased investment in First Nations clean energy projects and to share project development lessons with the broader clean energy sector.

The grant plays a broader role in supporting First Nations economic development and self-determination by increasing opportunities for First Nations peoples to lead and benefit from clean energy project developments. It forms one part of the wider $70 million First Nations Clean Energy Program, which also includes the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants and the First Nations Clean Energy Toolkit.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $1 million to $10 million per project, up to 100% of eligible expenditure
• Application opening date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 10:00 am AEST
• Application closing date: Monday, 28 September 2026, 5:00 pm AEST
• Eligible entities: First Nations organisations, including land councils, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, companies limited by guarantee, incorporated trustees, and not-for-profit incorporated associations or cooperatives
• Required co-contribution: None specified; funding may cover up to 100% of eligible project expenditure
• Location/applicability: Australia-wide

Priority Sectors

The grant guidelines do not identify specific priority industry sectors. Instead, the program is open to First Nations clean energy projects broadly, provided the project is aimed at progressing beyond feasibility towards financial close and will deliver economic benefits to First Nations peoples.

Funding Scope

• Minimum grant amount: $1 million per project
• Maximum grant amount: $10 million per project
• Total program pool: Up to $10 million, expected to support up to two First Nations organisations
• Funding streams: The program does not operate through separate funding streams; all funding sits within a single Pilot Grants category covering feasibility-to-financial-close activities
• Project timeline: Projects must be completed by 30 June 2028
• Minimum project expenditure: Projects must have at least $1 million in eligible expenditure

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a First Nations organisation as defined in the grant opportunity guidelines
• Must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Must be one of the following entity types:
  • A registered land council or entity managing land rights, native title or other Traditional Owner agreements
  • An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
  • A company limited by guarantee
  • An incorporated trustee acting on behalf of a trust established for the benefit of First Nations peoples
  • A not-for-profit incorporated association or cooperative
  • An incorporated association or cooperative
• Must provide evidence of support or authority from the relevant Traditional Owners
• Must provide evidence verifying organisation and entity type, along with all mandatory attachments
• Joint applications are accepted, provided the lead organisation and all grant activity partners are individually eligible.
• Applicants must not be insolvent, subject to insolvency proceedings, or bankrupt.
• Employers of 100 or more staff must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012
• Individuals, partnerships, unincorporated associations, trusts (other than through an incorporated trustee), and most government bodies are not eligible to apply.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Front End Engineering Design (FEED)
• Obtaining permits, regulatory and development approvals, and undertaking Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
• Commercial and contractual arrangements, including capital-raising and financing activities
• Formation of consortia, joint ventures or other partnering arrangements
• Risk management and mitigation planning
• Procurement and project execution planning
• Organisational business and workforce planning, including staff employment, training and inclusion planning
• Capability development, training and governance-related activities (capped at 10% of total eligible expenditure)
• Traditional Owner, stakeholder and community engagement, and community benefit planning
• Legal, audit and accounting costs directly related to the project.
• Labour expenditure, including on-costs of up to 30% of total labour expenditure
• Administrative expenses (capped at 5% of total eligible expenditure)
• Reasonable domestic travel costs, including economy flights, ground transport, accommodation and meal allowances
• Independent audit costs of grant activity expenditure (capped at 1% of total eligible expenditure)

Assessment Process

The program is competitive. Applications are first checked against the eligibility criteria before being referred to an assessment committee, which may include DCCEEW representatives, other Commonwealth department representatives, and independent experts in the First Nations clean energy sector.

Applications are scored against three weighted criteria, and must score at least 50% against each to be considered for funding:

• Alignment with program objectives and outcome (30 points)
• Capacity, capability, resources and commercial strategy to deliver the project (40 points)
• Impact of grant funding (30 points)

The final funding decision is made by a senior DCCEEW executive with policy responsibility for the program.

Recent Program Updates

The Pilot Grants sit within the broader $70 million First Nations Clean Energy Program, which also funds the First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants ($39.455 million over three years, delivered in two rounds) and the First Nations Clean Energy Toolkit. The Pilot Grants guidelines and supporting application materials were published in August 2026 ahead of the program opening on 1 September 2026. Given the limited number of grants available under this round (up to two organisations), eligible applicants are encouraged to prepare early.

Application Tips

• Confirm eligibility against the entity type and Traditional Owner authority requirements before starting an application
• Prepare evidence of Traditional Owner support and all mandatory attachments in advance, including entity verification documents
• Ensure the project has at least $1 million in eligible expenditure and can be completed by 30 June 2028
• Align the application closely with the three assessment criteria, particularly delivery capability and commercial strategy, which carry the highest weighting
• Provide a level of supporting detail proportionate to the size and complexity of the project and the grant amount requested
• Where relevant, consider joint applications with other eligible First Nations organisations to strengthen delivery capability

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the First Nations Clean Energy Projects – Pilot Grants and other associated Australian government websites.