DFAT accepting Applications for COALAR Grant Program 2020-21

Deadline: 26 March 2020

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has announced Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) Grant Program 2020-21.

COALAR has identified a strategic opportunity to advance its objectives through a sustainability focus in 2020-21.

COALAR grants are intended to provide seed funding to innovative projects relevant to the COALAR Business Plan 2020-2021. This includes proposals that demonstrate potential for the development of long term linkages between individuals and institutions in Australia and their counterparts in Latin America.

Public-private partnerships involving co-funding are also strongly encouraged.

Funding Information

In financial year 2020-21, approximately $300,000 is available for this grant opportunity, subject to appropriation.
Grant applications for a minimum of $10,000 or maximum of $50,000 (GST exclusive) will be considered.
Co-contributions from you and other parties will make your application more competitive.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible you must:

be one of the following entity types:
- an Australian entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), or Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN)
- an Australian consortium with a lead organisation
- an Australian registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
- an Australian local government body
- an Australian State/Territory government body
- a corporate Commonwealth entity
- an Australian statutory authority
- be an Australian or permanent resident of Australia
- or be a citizen or organisation from one of the following countries in Latin America
- or be a well-established organisation in a Latin American country with a business purpose to advocate for Australian business, education and/or cultural interests
be willing to provide or develop child protection guidelines for your project if it involves people under the age of 18 years.
Applications from consortia are acceptable, provided you have a lead applicant who can manage the project and is eligible as per the list above.
Individuals who intend the grant to be administered by a university should apply on behalf of the university, i.e. your university is the applicant.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

Not an Australian, a permanent resident of Australia or an Australian organisation and you are not a citizen of, or organisation from Latin America.
A previous applicant who has failed to provide a full and proper acquittal of an earlier IRGP grant.
- You may provide an interim report with the agreement of the relevant Secretariat where existing grant funding will be expended prior to the commencement of the new grant requested.

Assessment Criteria

The proposal will encourage Latin America – Australia connections that create, implement and communicate innovative and diverse approaches to sustainability challenges, such as environment, natural resources and energy management, smart cities and the circular economy.
The proposal will:
- develop relationships with relevant stakeholders in Australia and Latin America to identify strategic collaboration and engagement opportunities; and/or
- promote and support economic diplomacy projects and activities that facilitate and grow new business opportunities; and/or
- support strategic two-way visits of Australia and Latin America’s leaders and influencers; and/or
- promote Australia and Latin America as dynamic and diverse societies; and/or
- encourage innovative approaches to strengthen links, such as technology and new capabilities.
The proposal articulates what a successful outcome will deliver and includes measurable indicators to evaluate success.
The proposal demonstrates an understanding of the goals and objectives of COALAR, value for money, and ability to plan, manage, implement and evaluate the project within agreed timeframes.
The proposal will help increase COALAR’s online and social media presence to support connections between Australia and Latin America by producing high quality and relevant communication products.
The proposal will promote relations between Australia and Latin America (in particular – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay).