Grant assessors reveal what they actually look for in applications

Cat Dibley, an arts funding specialist with over 13 years of experience on both sides of the Australian arts funding table, shares insider knowledge on what grant assessors actually evaluate. She explains that applications should not just describe the work but argue why it should exist with public money at that moment. Specificity beats heartfelt claims: assessors need concrete numbers, named communities, and measurable outcomes. Budgets must reflect true costs, as assessors know real industry rates and will notice inconsistencies. Dibley emphasizes that the application is the project's advocate in the room; if an assessor has to argue for it, they need all the evidence. She notes that rejections often stem from lack of this specific skill set, not from the quality of the work.