Deadline: 12-Jan-22
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking applications for Australia-India Council Grants Program (AIC) to advance Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests by building awareness and understanding between the peoples and institutions of Australia and India.
Objectives
The objectives of the AIC 2021/22 Grant Program are to:
- support continuity in people-to-people and institutional engagement between Australia and India during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions on travel and social distancing will limit opportunities for face-to-face engagement and inward and outbound visits. In this context, the round will target online and other activities or forms of engagement that help bring people together through virtual means and build cross-cultural linkages, but do not require travel and are consistent with government restrictions in response to COVID-19;
- raise awareness of Australia in India, and of India in Australia, in a way that encourages further growth in relations between the two countries, including in the trade and investment relationship;
- promote exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian organisations in fields of relevance to the bilateral economic partnership;
- deliver high quality programs that demonstrate Australia’s economic credentials and technical excellence to influential audiences in India;
- seek community involvement in, and private sector support for Australian engagement with India including by encouraging corporate investment in collaborations that advance Australia-India relations; and
- promote examples of a successful bilateral relationship.
Funding Information
- The AIC grant process is very competitive and not all projects that satisfy the guidelines can be funded. In 2021/22, between $700,000 and $800,000 is expected to be available for AIC grants, subject to appropriation.
- Grants will be provided to a small number of projects (up to a maximum of $250,000 each) that demonstrate a clear capacity to maximise impact by fostering ground-breaking collaborations that catalyse positive bilateral engagement.
- Project costs should be proportionate to the scope of the grant activity, its complexity, proposed outcomes, and strategic advantage, as well as administration and sensible risk management expectations.
Project Priorities
The AIC is looking for high quality applications that foster ground-breaking collaboration, catalyse positive bilateral engagement and improve perceptions in both directions. In 2021/22, priority will be given to projects that:
- support implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, including the India Economic Strategy;
- address an identified gap or need;
- are co-funded by industry, or work to produce commercial collaborations, or demonstrate a path to continuing in future years without government funding;
- support these Australian Government priorities:
- critical technology;
- critical minerals;
- energy; and
- climate change.
Deliverables
Key project deliverables for successful applicants:
- further the aims of the AIC including publicising the impact of the project;
- report project outcomes and expenditure;
- produce a one to two-page policy paper to inform government on key considerations relevant to the grant topic, including key learnings, future challenges, opportunities or needs, and recommendations
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;
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia; and
- willing to provide or comply with 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 is the main driver of the project and is eligible
- 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.
- Only one application per university or institution will be accepted.
For more information, visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/australia-india-council/grants