Round 1 - Business to Business Grant Program 2026-2027

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This is a preview of the 2026-2027 Business to Business Grant Program form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

Grant Overview, Privacy & Conflict of Interest

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Please review this section and complete the Privacy Notice and Conflict of Interest.

This page provides an overview of the key information and dates regarding the 2026-2027 Business to Business Grant Program.

What is the Business to Business Grant Program?

The City of Whittlesea is committed to supporting a strong and resilient local economy by encouraging innovation, business growth, and local investment.

The Business to Business (B2B) Grant Program supports eligible small businesses to purchase products and services from local suppliers. By encouraging local procurement, the program strengthens connections between businesses, supports economic activity within the municipality, and helps keep spending within the local economy.

Program Objectives

The B2B Grant Program aims to:

  • Grow membership of the City of Whittlesea Business Network (WBN).
  • Strengthen local supply chains and increase economic activity within the municipality.
  • Support the long-term sustainability of local businesses and the broader community.
  • Encourage new and existing business activity across Whittlesea's activity centres and commercial precincts.
  • Foster stronger business-to-business relationships and collaboration within the local economy.

How Applications Are Assessed

The B2B Grant Program is delivered through a competitive, merit-based assessment process.

Meeting the eligibility and assessment criteria does not guarantee funding. Applications are assessed against the program guidelines and available budget. 

Final funding decisions are made by Council's Grant Steering Committee and may be influenced by the number and quality of applications received.

Before You Apply

City of Whittlesea Business Network Membership Required

You must be a City of Whittlesea Business Network to be eligible for this grant. 

If your application is approved, you must be a City of Whittlesea Business Network member to receive payment.  

If not yet a member, sign up to the Network by clicking on the link below.  

City of Whittlesea Business Network

Applicants must read the 2026-2027 Business to Business Grant Program Guidelines before submitting an application.

The guidelines contain important information about:

  • Eligibility requirements
  • Approved suppliers
  • Funding amounts
  • Assessment criteria
  • Application and acquittal requirements

Download the guidelines: 2026-2027 Business to Business Grant Program Guidelines 

KEY DATES

 

KEY MILESTONES

APPLICABLE DATES

KEY DETAILS
Round 1

17 September 2026 – 31 December 2026

Notification in February 2027
Round 2

1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027

Notification in June 2027

Grant Program Close Date

30 April 2027 or until funds are expended

 

Program delivery period

Must be completed within 12 months of being approved for the grant. 

  
Acquittal due dates

Within 3 months of project completion

The acquittal report shows how grant funding was spent and what outcomes were achieved. Refer page 8 of guidelines for details.
Payment dates

At completion of successful acquittal and demonstration of business co-contribution

Once the project is completed and co-contribution is demonstrated in the acquittal.

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

The City of Whittlesea pledges to respect and uphold your rights to privacy protection under the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as established under the Privacy Act 1988 and amended by the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012. To view Council's privacy statement, head to Council's website. 

The personal information collected in this application is being collected ONLY for the purpose of assessing, processing and allocating grant funding. Council may contact a third party to confirm details of your application.

Successful groups will be identified, together with the purpose and amount received, on Council's website and in relevant Council reports.

Response required.

Conflict of Interest

To ensure fairness and transparency a Declaration of a Conflict of Interest must be completed by all applicants who are affiliated with Council with any of the following roles;

    1. Council Officer
    2. Volunteer
    3. Appointed to Committee or working group
    4. Contractor or Consultant
    5. Councillor

Failure to disclose your affiliations and subsequent completion of the Conflict of Interest section in your application, will result in your application being deemed ‘Unsuccessful’ due to not disclosing your Conflict of Interest’.

Response required.

Declaration of Conflict of Interest (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "Do you have a Conflict of Interest due to an affiliation with Council?" on page 1

Please complete this section as Declaration of your Conflict of Interest. 

Response required.

Getting Help

To view the Smarty Grants Help Guide for Applicants, please click here.

When completing the form, * indicates a required field.

If you have any technical difficulties viewing the application form or accessing your account, please contact Smarty Grants directly on 9320 6888.

If you have funding related questions or need assistance to complete the application, please contact:

OR

  • Community Grants Team at community.grants@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

  • If you prefer to speak to someone over the phone, please call the Council main number 9217 2170 and ask to be transferred to the relevant team.