Deadline: 18-Nov-22
The New Delhi Direct Aid Program 2022-23 Grants Round is now open for applications to support projects that have a strong development focus, contribute to poverty reduction, and strengthen communities in India.
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Funding Information
- Grants are typically provided up to INR 15 Lakh.
Eligible Activities
DAP activities should aim to achieve practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. Under the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both countries are committed towards building a prosperous, rules-based and stable Indo-Pacific by promoting inclusive global and regional institutions and engagements that promote stability, innovation and economic and social security based on shared interests.
- DAP 2022-23 will channelise this commitment through supporting developmental initiatives (across the sub-themes ) that have long-term, sustainable outcomes.
- Education, innovation & Entrepreneurship: under education, projects that work towards increasing access with the help of technology and introduce new pedagogies of learning; projects that develop models for a more value-based education and; holistic student-teacher development in line with India’s National Education Policy.
- Gender Equality: projects that address gender-sensitive issues around urban infrastructure and safety in public transport, economic empowerment and help end violence and discrimination with objectives that are consistent with Australia’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment strategy.
- Environment and sustainable Development Practices: projects that introduce new-age and sustainable practices in agriculture, water and food security; local small scale business models involving community, education, and health.
- Public Administration and Governance: projects that promote good governance models and facilitate access and awareness on government schemes and programs through advocacy and capacity building, especially tailored towards introducing good global practices and models.
- Inclusive development: projects that focus on accessibility, capacity building and inclusive educational and workspaces for persons with disabilities and vulnerable and marginalised groups. This would also include projects that work towards regional development through integrated community development programs.
Eligibility Criteria
- DAP funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to NGOs and academic institutions engaged in development activities. For projects in India, applicants must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration and the applications should be in line with its latest Amendment Rules. Information about obtaining FCRA approval and notices can be found.
- The Australian High Commission in New Delhi supports small-scale, sustainable development projects in north India. Projects should be self-contained, with finite timelines. Except in exceptional circumstances and only with prior approval, the projects may run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant. Organisations with existing DAP grant are not eligible to apply.
- States covered by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi: Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
- If the project is in Goa, Gujarat or Maharashtra, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate in Mumbai.
- If the project is in Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu or Telangana, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate in Chennai.
- If the project is in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate in Kolkata.
Ineligible
- Cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money
- Commercial ventures
- Purchase of major assets, e.g. vehicles
- Australian or overseas study tours
- International travel (allowed in exceptional cases only if integral to project outputs)
- Sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit
- Staff salaries with an exception to stipends/training or consultation fee paid specifically for a project activity
- Construction activities
- Routine, recurring or running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs, spare parts, routine maintenance.
Kindly note that applicants are encouraged to co-contribute to the project for better advocacy and accountability and only 5 per cent of the total DAP budget can be used for administrative expenses.
For more information, visit here.