Supporting Participation Program – 2026-27

Overview The Supporting Participation Program (full title: Supporting Participation by Representatives of People with Disability in Key International Forums on Human Rights Program) provides funding for people with disability, through representative and advocacy organisations, to participate in key international disability and human rights forums. The program is administered by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Purpose The program aims to ensure the voices and experiences of Australians with disability are represented in global discussions on disability rights, inclusion and policy development. Objectives Delegates will contribute to international discussions on disability rights, build advocacy skills, expand professional networks, and strengthen the Australian disability sector's engagement in global forums. The program includes both General Delegates (aged over 18 years) and Emerging Young Leaders (aged 18 to 35 years), with an emphasis on leadership development, mentoring and capacity building. Delegates and organisations are expected to actively participate in forum activities, collaborate with stakeholders, meet all program requirements, support delegate wellbeing, manage risks, and share outcomes and learnings with the disability sector. Funding Total Amount Available (AUD): $220,000.00 Funding in 2027 will support participation at the: United Nations (UN) 20th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP20) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), New York, USA, 9 to 11 June 2027 UN 71st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW71), New York, USA, 8 to 19 March 2027 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), Sendai, Japan, 25 to 29 October 2027 Funding primarily supports in-person attendance, while allowing flexibility for virtual participation where required. Eligibility Applications for individuals with disability can only be accepted from organisations that: Hold UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status; or Are accredited to the specific forum applied to, such as COSP Accreditation Applicants must be aged 18 or older. Applicants to the Emerging Young Leader Delegation must be aged 18 to 35 at the time of application. To be eligible, applicants must be one of the following entity types: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 Company Corporate Commonwealth Entity Corporate State or Territory Entity Non-corporate State or Territory Entity Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority Local Government Cooperative Incorporated Association Sole Trader Statutory Entity Partnership Person Unincorporated Association If applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust, the Trustee must have an eligible entity type as listed above. Applicant organisations and any key personnel (under section 10 of the DSI Act) of the organisation applying for funding must not be subject to a banning order that is in force under section 73ZN of the NDIS Act. Applicants against whom banning orders are in place are not eligible for an arrangement or grant to be made under section 13 of the DSI Act. You are not eligible to apply for this grant opportunity if: You are subject to a banning order that is in force under section 73ZN of the NDIS Act Any of your key personnel are subject to a banning order that is in force under section 73ZN of the NDIS Act Information Requested Applicants must complete the Application Form and Privacy Collection Notice, provide all the information requested, address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria, and include all necessary attachments. Applications will be accepted in multiple formats, with the following size limits requested when responding to the assessment criteria (section 2.4 of the Application Form and Privacy Collection Notice): Written (2 pages) Easy Read (no length limit) Video (5 minutes) Audio file (5 minutes) Easy Read, video and audio files can be supported by an additional one-page written summary. Organisations can only submit one application for this grant opportunity. Separate section 2 Application Forms should be provided for individuals applying. If more than one organisation application is submitted, the application submitted latest, and within the closing time and date, will progress to the next stage. How to Apply To apply, read all available documentation about the grant opportunity provided on GrantConnect. This information is also available at the Supporting Participation Program page on the AHRC website. Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time to disability@humanrights.gov.au. To view the grant opportunity documents, select the red "Grant Opportunity Documents" button on the left-hand side. Enquiries For assistance with the application process, if you find an error in your application after submission but before the closing date and time, or for technical assistance when submitting your application, contact the AHRC via email: disability@humanrights.gov.au.