Maitri Grant Program 2026-27

Through a program of impactful and innovative projects, the Centre for Australia-India Relations intends to achieve the following outcomes: § stronger Australian business awareness of, and capability to engage with, economic opportunities in India § deeper public understanding of India and a wider pool of experts offering policy solutions relevant to the Australia-India relationship § greater recognition of the contribution of diverse Indian-Australian communities to our national story § stronger arts, cultural and sporting connections between Australia and India The Centre is seeking to fund projects that will: § drive new areas of business engagement between Australia and India in sectors outlined in A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India, including the four superhighways of growth and other key priorities: o clean energy technology o initiatives that promote education and skills o maximising agribusiness opportunities under the Australian-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) o initiatives that will promote tourism from India to Australia and major events tourism o projects that bolster the capacity to increase two-way investment o identify and provide education and opportunities for businesses without mature existing channels for market access, including SMEs and First Nations businesses o activities that support sports collaboration to generate economic engagement and align with the India-Australia Roadmap for Sports Collaboration § deliver high impact cultural, and people to people projects, activities and exchanges that may: o build India capability at major Australian cultural institutions o leverage the Audiovisual Co-production agreement o deepen public understanding of India and offer strategic policy options for the Australia-India bilateral relationship o harness diaspora influence to promote the Australian Indian relationship. Total amount available (AUD): $7,000,000.00 Close date & time: 14-Dec-2026 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time) Location: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS, Administered Territories, Overseas Selection process: Open Competitive GO ID: GO8687 Eligibility To be eligible you must: · have an Australian Business Number (ABN) · be registered for the purposes of GST · be a permanent resident or citizen of Australia · have an account with an Australian financial institution · be located in Australia and be one of the following entity types: · a company incorporated in Australia · a company incorporated by guarantee · an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust · an incorporated association · a partnership · a joint (consortia) application with a lead organisation · a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation · a publicly funded research organisation · an individual · an Australian local government body · an Australian state or territory government body · a Corporate Commonwealth Entity · be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 How to apply Interested applicants should submit an application through SmartyGrants using the following link: https://dfat.smartygrants.com.au/maitrigrantsprogram26-27