ASEAN-Australia Centre 2025-26 Grants Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The ASEAN-Australia Centre Grants Program is an initiative administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) designed to strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and Southeast Asia, including ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste. The program directly supports the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and aligns with Australia’s national interests in the region.

The intended outcomes are focused on building business, cultural, and community links. The program specifically targets projects that advance engagement across key areas such as trade, investment, creative industries, and civil society, often involving Australians of Southeast Asian heritage and First Nations artists.

A total funding pool of $2,200,000.00 (AUD) is available for the 2025-26 grant opportunity, distributed over a two-year period. This funding supports Australian businesses, research institutions, and creative organisations by subsidising strategic projects that deepen bilateral cooperation and unlock mutual economic and cultural benefits in the high-growth Southeast Asian region.

Key Grant Details

Key details for the 2025-26 ASEAN-Australia Centre Grants Program are outlined below:

• Grant amount or funding range: Grants are offered between $50,000.00 and $200,000.00 per annum. Multi-year grants (up to two years) have a total value of up to $400,000.00.
• Application open and close dates: The application period was from 9-Oct-2025 (Publish Date) to 6-Nov-2025 at 12:00 pm (ACT Local Time).
• Eligible entities: A broad range of entity types are eligible, including companies, partnerships, trusts, incorporated associations, charities, publicly funded research organisations, individuals, and Australian government bodies.
• Required co-contributions: Co-contributions are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged. Seeking funding from other sources and providing co-contributions demonstrates commitment and will strengthen an application.
• Location/state/territory applicability: The grant is applicable across all Australian states and territories (ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS) and to entities located Overseas in an ASEAN Member State or Timor-Leste.

Priority Sectors

The grant is open to a wide range of sectors, with a targeted focus across three key streams:

• Creative Industries: Initiatives focused on professional and creative exchanges, residencies, and collaborations.
• Diaspora Engagement: Projects involving Australians of Southeast Asian heritage to advance engagement in business, higher education, science, sport, and civil society.
• Trade and Investment Research: Research aimed at supporting Australian companies’ access to and understanding of trade and investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, including supply chains, diversification, and emerging sectors.
• Specific Groups: Australian artists with Southeast Asian heritage, First Nations artists, and projects demonstrating the value of the diaspora community.

Funding Scope

The total grant pool of $2.2 million is available over the 2025-26 to 2026-27 financial years.

• Minimum and maximum amounts: The minimum grant value is $50,000.00 per year. The maximum single-year grant is $200,000.00. The maximum two-year grant is $400,000.00.
• Categories or streams: The opportunity is divided into three streams—Creative Industry Initiatives, Diaspora Engagement Projects, and Trade and Investment Research—that guide the project’s focus.
• Project timeline: Applicants may apply for a single-year grant or a multi-year grant of up to two years.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for this competitive grant opportunity, applicants must meet the following core requirements:

• ABN/Financials: Possess an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have an account with an Australian financial institution.
• Location: Be located in Australia, an ASEAN Member State, or Timor-Leste.
• Individual Status: If an individual, they must be a permanent resident or citizen of Australia.
• Entity Type: Be one of the eligible entities, including companies, partnerships, registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, publicly funded research organisations, or government bodies.
• Consortia: Consortia applications are acceptable, provided a lead applicant is clearly identified and is an eligible entity.
• Compliance: Be willing to provide or develop child protection guidelines that meet DFAT’s policy if the project involves people under the age of 18 years.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant funds projects that directly relate to the program’s objectives of strengthening links between Australia and Southeast Asia.

Eligible Activities include, but are not limited to:

• Industry dialogues (virtual or in-person) and trade delegations.
• Virtual or real tours and exhibitions, events, performances, and forums.
• Conferences and workshops.
• Research aimed at supporting Australian trade and investment access in Southeast Asia.

Eligible Expenditures include:

• Communications, advertising, promotion, graphic design, and photography.
• Publications and printed material.
• Event and production costs, including freight and artists’ fees.

Ineligible Costs include:

• Purchase of land, ongoing salaries/wages, and major capital expenditure or construction.
• Retrospective costs or costs incurred in preparing the grant application.
• General ongoing administration costs (e.g., electricity, phone, rent).

Assessment Process

The ASEAN-Australia Centre Grants Program operates under an Open Competitive selection process. This signifies that all applications are evaluated against the published assessment criteria and compete directly for the limited funding available.

Key evaluation criteria focus on:

• Strategic Alignment: How the project contributes to the Centre’s objectives, its four pillars, and the specific grant stream/intended outcomes.
• Project Effectiveness: The effectiveness and efficiency of the applicant in delivering the grant, and their ability to maximise the reach and impact of the funding.
• Sustainable Outcomes: The ability of the activity to deliver enduring and sustainable outcomes that last beyond the funding period.

Recent Program Updates

The 2025-26 round is the current grant opportunity under the ASEAN-Australia Centre Grants Program. The total funding available is $2.2 million over two years. This round features a distinct focus on the Creative Industry, Southeast Asian diaspora, and trade research, reflecting the Centre’s priorities for the 2025-26 period. Future rounds and priority areas are subject to change annually.

Application Tips

For businesses and organisations preparing an application for this program, adherence to the specific criteria and a clear focus on the regional engagement objectives are vital:

• Align with Streams: Explicitly demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with the specific outcomes of one of the three streams (Creative, Diaspora, or Research).
• Show Regional Impact: Clearly articulate how the project will build business, cultural, or community links and deliver enduring outcomes between Australia and Southeast Asia.
• Detail Capability: Provide evidence of the applicant’s experience and capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver cross-border projects within the allocated timeframe and budget.
• Secure Co-contributions: While not mandatory, incorporating co-contributions from the applicant or partner organisations will signal strong commitment and materially enhance the competitiveness of the application.
• Check Ineligible Costs: Carefully review the list of ineligible expenditure items to ensure the proposed budget is compliant.

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.