Maitri Fellowships Program 26-27

Overview The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Centre for Australia-India Relations, is inviting applications from Australian organisations under the 2026-27 Maitri Fellowships Program to fund the engagement of a Fellow to work on geostrategic or geoeconomic policy issues. Objectives The Maitri Fellowships Program objectives are to: Deepen mutual understanding between Australia and India, including on each country's strategic context, and on other issues of national and bilateral significance Promote mature policy dialogue and public discourse on contemporary India by elevating research and policy discussion on Australia-India matters Enhance Australia and India's cooperation, networking and cultural connections through research academics and institutions Generate research collaboration and foster innovative thinking that can inform Government policy development The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are: Greater coverage of Australian and Indian perspectives in each other's mainstream media and policy communities More informed public debate and community views about both countries and the relationship A wider range of ideas and policy options on significant issues facing both countries Funding Funding will be provided under the following streams: Inward Fellowship: a period of up to 2 years for Indian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows (experience equivalent to Levels B to D) to come to Australia Outward Fellowship: a period of up to 2 years for Australian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows (experience equivalent to Levels B to D) to go to India Two-way Fellowship: a period of up to 2 years for an Australian and an Indian Fellow in an exchange arrangement through their respective Australian and Indian Organisations The minimum period for Inward, Outward, and Two-way Fellowships is six months. All Maitri Fellows will join a Fellowship community, managed by the Centre. Total Amount Available: $750,000.00 (AUD) Estimated Grant Value: $40,000.00 to $600,000.00 (AUD) Eligibility To be eligible to apply, applicants must be an Australian organisation with relevant experience working on the Australia-India bilateral relationship and: Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) Be registered for the purposes of GST Have an account with an Australian financial institution Be located in Australia Applicants must also 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 Corporate Commonwealth entity An Australian state or territory government body 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/maitrifellowshipsprogram26-27 Enquiries Centre for Australia-India Relations Email: MaitriGrants@dfat.gov.au