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Submit Applications for Australia-Korea Foundation Grant Program

Deadline: 13-May-2026

The Australia–Korea Foundation (AKF) 2026–27 Grant Round provides $50,000 to $150,000 in funding to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Australia and the Republic of Korea.

Up to $850,000 is available for one-year projects and, in exceptional cases, multi-year initiatives of up to three years.

Eligible applicants from Australia and Korea must propose high-quality, partnership-based projects that promote strategic cooperation, innovation, cultural exchange, and inclusive engagement.

Australia–Korea Foundation (AKF) 2026–27 Grants

The Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) 2026–27 Grant Round supports projects that deepen engagement and cooperation between Australia and the Republic of Korea.

The program funds initiatives that advance strategic, economic, cultural, and technological collaboration while promoting inclusive participation and youth engagement.

Grant Overview

Total Funding Pool: Up to $850,000 (2026–27 financial year)

Grant Amount:
Minimum: $50,000
Maximum: $150,000

Project Duration:
• One-year projects
• Multi-year projects (up to 3 years, in exceptional circumstances)

GST Status: Payments provided GST exclusive
Indexation: No indexation applied to multi-year grants

Project Start Requirement: Must commence (first milestone) by 30 June 2027

Evaluation Period: 60 days following project completion

Program Objectives

The AKF supports projects that:

  • Strengthen bilateral and institutional partnerships

  • Promote economic security and geostrategic cooperation

  • Increase public awareness of shared interests

  • Recognise Australian expertise in Korea

  • Encourage youth and emerging leader engagement

  • Foster inclusive participation and diverse representation

Projects must deliver measurable impact and generate strong communications outcomes, including digital assets for broader engagement.

Priority Focus Areas

1. Bilateral and Strategic Cooperation

  • Economic security collaboration

  • Geostrategic policy engagement

  • Institutional partnerships

2. Education and Literacy

  • Expanding Korean literacy in Australia

  • Increasing understanding of Australia in Korea

3. Arts, Culture, Sport and Youth

4. Emerging and Strategic Sectors

  • Energy transition

  • Critical minerals

  • Resilient supply chains

  • Agriculture

  • Artificial intelligence

  • Robotics

  • Cybersecurity

  • Advanced technologies

Diversity and Inclusion Priorities

AKF prioritizes projects that demonstrate:

  • First Nations representation

  • Gender-balanced participation

  • Inclusion of diverse communities across Australia

  • Inclusive co-design and project delivery

  • Engagement of the next generation of leaders

Projects should reflect inclusive leadership and broad community representation.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be located in Australia or the Republic of Korea and meet eligibility criteria.

Eligible Australian Applicants

  • Entities with an ABN, ACN, or ICN

  • Australian consortia (with a lead organisation)

  • Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations

  • Local, state, or territory government bodies

  • Corporate Commonwealth Entities

  • Statutory authorities

  • Australian citizens or permanent residents

Eligible Korean Applicants

  • Citizens of the Republic of Korea

  • Organisations based in Korea

Individuals must be at least 18 years old if applying or serving as primary contact.

Multi-Year Grants

Multi-year proposals (up to three years) will only be considered if they:

  • Address a clearly defined strategic need

  • Demonstrate large-scale partnership and collaboration

  • Show sustainability beyond the funding period

  • Have strong long-term impact potential

Co-Contributions and Budget Requirements

Co-contributions are strongly encouraged and may include:

  • Cash contributions

  • In-kind support

  • Partner financial participation

Applicants should:

  • Submit realistic budgets

  • Identify alternative funding sources

  • Outline contingency plans for partial funding

Successful applicants may receive less funding than requested and may accept or decline revised offers.

How to Apply

Follow these structured steps to prepare a competitive application.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation or individual status meets eligibility criteria and is located in Australia or Korea.

Step 2: Identify a Bilateral Partner

Projects involving an identified partner from the other country are strongly preferred. The partner should:

  • Actively contribute time

  • Provide in-kind support

  • Contribute financial resources where possible

Step 3: Develop a Strong Proposal

Your proposal should clearly outline:

  • Strategic relevance to Australia–Korea relations

  • Expected outcomes and impact

  • Diversity and inclusion approach

  • Budget breakdown and co-contributions

  • Communications strategy and digital outputs

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Include:

  • Organisational details

  • Partnership agreements

  • Financial statements (if required)

  • Risk management and contingency planning

Step 5: Submit Application

Complete the official application form and submit before the deadline as outlined in the grant guidelines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to include a Korean or Australian partner

  • Submitting unrealistic or inflated budgets

  • Ignoring diversity and inclusion priorities

  • Proposing projects without measurable outcomes

  • Overlooking contingency planning

  • Missing the requirement to commence by 30 June 2027

Tip: Clearly link your project to long-term bilateral strategic goals.

Expected Outcomes

Successful projects should demonstrate:

  • New or strengthened institutional partnerships

  • Increased public awareness and engagement

  • Greater recognition of Australian excellence in Korea

  • Youth participation in bilateral cooperation

  • Visible inclusion of diverse communities

  • Creation of reusable digital communication assets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much funding is available?

Up to $850,000 is available in total. Individual grants range from $50,000 to $150,000.

2. Can projects run longer than one year?

Yes. Multi-year projects (up to three years) may be approved in exceptional circumstances.

3. Is a partner organisation required?

While not strictly mandatory, proposals involving an identified partner from the other country are strongly preferred.

4. Are co-contributions mandatory?

They are not mandatory but strongly encouraged to strengthen the application.

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Australian entities, Korean organisations, citizens, not-for-profits, government bodies, and individuals aged 18 or older.

6. When must projects start?

Projects must commence, including the first milestone, by 30 June 2027.

7. What happens if partial funding is offered?

Applicants may accept or decline a revised funding offer if awarded less than requested.

Conclusion

The Australia–Korea Foundation (AKF) 2026–27 Grant Round provides substantial funding to advance strategic, economic, cultural, and technological collaboration between Australia and the Republic of Korea.

By prioritizing inclusive leadership, youth engagement, bilateral partnerships, and emerging sector cooperation, the program strengthens long-term ties across the Asia-Pacific region.

Organisations and individuals with high-impact, partnership-driven initiatives should prepare strong proposals that demonstrate measurable outcomes, financial realism, and alignment with shared strategic goals to maximize their chances of success.

For more information, visit Australian Government.