Rerum Novarum Awards

Seed funding grant application form
2026 Information pack
Reflection booklet
2026 Flyer

Dear Year 9–12 students, is there a social justice issue in your community that needs your school’s attention?

In May of 1891, Pope Leo XIII released a letter, advocating for workers’ dignity, the right to fair wages, the formation of trade unions, and the right to owning private property. This letter is called Rerum Novarum, and it was groundbreaking in addressing the struggles of the working class and societal challenges during the Industrial Revolution. It strongly advocates for a just society founded on Christian principles.

The Rerum Novarum Awards are an opportunity for schools to complete social justice projects that work for change within their community. In recognition that some schools may require funds to develop their projects, Seed Funding Grants are available. Application for funding grants is not required for participation in the awards. Gold, silver, and bronze awards will be decided by a judging panel once all projects have been submitted.

Rationale for the Rerum Novarum Awards

While popes and bishops have played a significant role in highlighting social issues, the imperatives of the gospel have often been first put into action by young people like Mary MacKillop, Frederic Ozanam, Pier Giorgio Frassati, Chiara Badano, Josephine Bakhita, Caroline Chisholm and many others. Each of these young people saw a social justice issue and then, with hearts tuned to the gospel, discerned the actions they were being called to take to create a more just society. There are two pillars on which the Rerum Novarum Awards are based:
  1. Catholics have an obligation to work for a more just society, especially one that protects the most vulnerable and marginalised. These awards support students in being attuned to being agents of change.
  2. Social justice work must be driven by the students themselves, with adults limited to the role of consultors and advisers.

What to do

Students will need to work as a group with a supervising staff member and use the ‘See, Judge, Act’ method to apply the principles of Catholic social teaching to a social justice issue in their community. Consider what students can do to change their own part of the world. Entries should refer to Catholic resources such as
  • The gospels
  • Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) social justice statements
  • Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
  • Encyclicals and
  • Inspirational individuals (where relevant to the project).
Who can enter?

Projects are to be led by a group of students in Years 9 to 12, with the support and guidance of a staff member. The school may decide how this will be done. Each entry must be endorsed by the principal with a limit of one entry per school.

 

Key dates
Seed Funding Grant applications due date with principal endorsement

Thursday 25 June 2026

Notification of successful Seed Funding Grant applications

Monday 13 July 2025

Rerum Novarum Workshop Day

Tuesday 4 August 2026

Project submission due date

Friday 18 September 2026

Judging of project submissions

Monday 21 September to Monday 12 October

Awards Presentation Night

Thursday 29 October 2026 – 6:30pm

Note: Seed Funding Grant are not required for participation in the awards. Grant money will be paid on or before Friday 25 July 2026. If successful in obtaining a grant, schools will need to include a statement which outlines how they have used the funds to further their project.

Refer to the information pack for more details

The application form or further questions can be emailed to: eaclan@macs.vic.edu.au

2025 Award Winners