Maitri Grant Program 2026-27

Overview The Centre for Australia-India Relations, part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is administering the Maitri Grant Program 2026-27 to fund impactful and innovative projects that strengthen the Australia-India relationship. Objectives Through the program, 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 Australia's national story Stronger arts, cultural and sporting connections between Australia and India Scope The Centre is seeking to fund projects that: 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: clean energy technology; initiatives that promote education and skills; maximising agribusiness opportunities under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA); initiatives that promote tourism from India to Australia and major events tourism; projects that bolster the capacity to increase two-way investment; identifying and providing education and opportunities for businesses without mature existing channels for market access, including SMEs and First Nations businesses; and 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 build India capability at major Australian cultural institutions, leverage the Audiovisual Co-production agreement, deepen public understanding of India and offer strategic policy options for the Australia-India bilateral relationship, and harness diaspora influence to promote the Australia-India relationship Eligibility To be eligible, applicants 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 An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 Funding Total Amount Available (AUD): $7,000,000.00 Estimated Grant Value (AUD): From $75,000.00 to $800,000.00 How to Apply Interested applicants should submit an application through SmartyGrants using the following link: https://dfat.smartygrants.com.au/maitrigrantsprogram26-27 Enquiries Centre for Australia-India Relations: MaitriGrants@dfat.gov.au