The Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC) is bringing the Aboriginal Benefits Account (ABA) back to the Northern Territory (NT). The NTAIC shifts control of decisions over a significant amount of ABA funds into Aboriginal hands.

Our Aboriginal-controlled board share a vision of self-determination. We aim to build long-term prosperity by investing ABA funding for the future and supporting community development and Aboriginal businesses. Investing ABA funding boldly and wisely will support Aboriginal culture and community for future generations.

The NTAIC will be a significant new economic vehicle in the Territory. We will make decisions to invest $680 million of ABA funding in projects that will grow long term wealth and support Aboriginal economies and support important social and cultural priorities.

Photo of Uluru Kata Tjura National Park NT
By Ondrej Machart

Opening for business in 2023

The NTAIC legally commenced on 15 November 2022. Our Board has been working hard to set the NTAIC up for success so it can start supporting communities. Career opportunities will be available and we are recruiting soon.

NTAIC ABA Grants Program

The inaugural round for the NTAIC ABA Grants Program will be opening in late April 2023. The Grants Program has been developed in partnership with the ABA Advisory Committee (ABAAC) and NT Land Councils. The NTAIC believes that the new program needs to be easy for people to use and gets money into community quickly.

NTAIC Grants Key Dates

This is your chance to apply for grants, so don’t miss out!

Open until June 30, 2025.

General Grants

Apply for under $250k

Grants of up to $250k can be applied for at any time.

Assessment/Outcome

Submit your application any time. The application’s outcome will be available approximately six (6) weeks after the submission date. The NTAIC CEO approves applications.

Apply for $250k to $1m

Grants from $250k to $1m can be applied for at any time.

Assessment

Submit your applications twenty-eight (28) days before the Grants Committee meets.

Outcome

The application’s outcome will be available approximately three (3) weeks after the Grants Committee meets. The Grants Committee approves applications.

Schedule 1

Application submitted by: 12 July 2023

Grants Committee meets: 9-10 August 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 31 August 2023

Schedule 2

Application submitted by: 13 September 2023

Grants Committee meets: 11-12 October 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 2 November 2023

Schedule 3

Application submitted by: 8 November 2023

Grants Committee meets: 6 December 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 22 December 2023

Apply for $1m to $1.5m

Grants from $1m to $1.5m can be applied for at any time.

Assessment

Submit your application twenty-eight (28) dates before the Grants Committee meets.

Outcome

The application’s outcome will be available approximately three (3) weeks after the NTAIC Board meeting dates. The NTAIC Board approves applications.

Schedule 1

Application submitted by: 12 July 2023

Grants Committee meets: 9-10 August 2023

Board meets: 5-6 September 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 27 September 2023

Schedule 2

Application submitted by: 13 September 2023

Grants Committee meets:  11-12 October 2023

Board meets: 29-30 November 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 21 December 2023

Innovation Grants

Apply

Grants more than $1.5m can be applied for at any time.

Assessment

Submit your application forty-two (42) days before the Investment Committee meets.

Outcome

The application’s outcome will be available approximately three (3) weeks after the NTAIC Board meets. The NTAIC Board approves applications.

Schedule 1

Application submitted by: 13 July 2023   

Investment Committee meets: 24 August 2023

Board meets: 5-6 September 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 27 September 2023

Schedule 2

Application submitted by: 14 September 2023  

Investment Committee meets: 26 October 2023

Board meets: 29-30 November 2023

Assessment outcome announcements by: 21 December 2023

Strategic Investment Plan

Throughout 2023, we will be engaging with Aboriginal people and Aboriginal organisations in the NT to identify their funding priorities. These consultations will help to inform the NTAIC’s Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The SIP will state our priorities and principal objectives in relation to the NTAIC’s functions and making investments.

Acknowledging previous work

We would like to acknowledge the work of current and previous ABAAC members who continually championed the rights of Aboriginal Territorians to be in control of their own destiny and funding decisions. ABAAC’s prolonged, measured and considered advocacy, informed through members’ collective experience of Land Rights and ABA decision making, has been crucial in supporting the development of the principles to guide ABA reform and the establishment of the NTAIC.

Photo of Nitmiluk
By JL