The Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program is a flagship program of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). It is a competitive program, open for applications twice a year, which offers up to a 50 per cent refund for innovative exploration drilling projects, capped at specific amounts.
Applications for R17, 2018-19 grants are now open
Applications for grants for exploration drilling to be undertaken in 2018-19 are open between 23rd February 2018 and 5pm WST, 6th April 2018.
Co-funding in all application categories is up to 50 per cent of direct drilling costs, capped at:
- $150,000 for general multi-hole applications
- $200,000 for a single deep-hole application
- $30,000 for a prospector application.
Co-funding will be available for exploration drilling only. The following will not be eligible for co-funding:
- resource definition drilling
- appraisal, stimulation and development drilling.
- applicants should note that the government will not support the development of new uranium mines.
The grant process is competitive, with marks assigned to your responses to the criteria (detailed in the application forms). Applications are ranked according to the total marks gained and grants offered until exhaustion of available funding.
Information for applicants
The grants are paid to successful applicants in two tranches. Once the drilling project is completed, explorers are eligible for a refund of 80 per cent of the grant on submission of the interim report, with the final 20 per cent refund available on submission of the final report.
Where applicants are not the tenement holder, the tenement holder must agree to the conditions under which co-funding is offered Tenement owner agreement.
Information about the application process is contained in Advice for applicants which should be read before applying.
Full details of the funding process are detailed in the Guidelines for submission of applications 2018-19.
If successful, applicants will be expected to abide by the conditions set out in the Funding agreement document.
Online Application process
Applications must be made using the DMIRS website between 9am 23rd February 2018 and 5pm WST, 6th April 2018. The system will close at 5pm WST and any applications not fully submitted by that time will not be accepted.
Applicants will be guided through questions which will address administrative as well as technical criteria. Because of the varying character limits in individual fields in the online form applicants are advised to prepare their responses to criteria using word processing software and then copy and paste the response into the appropriate field in the online form.
Exceeding the character limits specified against fields or the file size for attachments will mean that the application is rejected by the system.
General Grants
All applicants may apply for General and single deep hole grants, funding for which is governed by the cost and type of program.
Prospector Grants
Prospectors may apply using either the prospector application form or general application form for funding with the associated conditions in each category.
Prospector grants have restricted availability. Applicants should ensure that they are eligible to apply for these grants otherwise the application will be considered invalid.
Handicapping of multiple applications
Second and subsequent applications from the same applicant will be handicapped. Only one application can be made per tenement/combined reporting group, or geothermal or petroleum title (even if from different applicants).
Applicants should read Advice for applicants including the section on “Completing an Online application”, as well as Guidelines for Co-funded Drilling 2018-19 before preparing their application.
Apply for co-funding General application
Apply for co-funding Prospector application