FAQs

What is the Australia-Korea Foundation?

Established by the Australian Government in 1992, the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) was formed to promote bilateral relations between Korea and Australia.

The objectives of AKF are to:

• increase public awareness of Australia in Korea and of Korea in Australia
• develop partnerships in areas of shared interest in the bilateral, regional and global context
• increase Australians' capacity to effectively engage with Korea.

The AKF offers annual grant funding to organisations and individuals to support projects or activities which advance Australia's engagement with Korea, including exchanges, partnerships and other collaborations in the general fields of business, education, academia, arts/culture and society.

Read more on the Australia-Korea Foundation.

How are applications assessed?

The grant guidelines provide information about eligibility and assessment criteria.

When preparing the application, applicants should bear in mind that the assessment committee may not be familiar with the applicant, the organisation or the field of activity. As the Board’s recommendation will be primarily based on the information provided in the application form, this document should be clear, accurate, comprehensive and focused.

What can grant money be used for?

Your grant must be used to implement the project outlined within the application. You can use the grant to pay for costs detailed in your budget and grant agreement, including:

• Economy flights, modest accommodation costs, meals and travel allowances, other transport
• Communication and translation
• Venue hire and catering
• Advertising and promotion, graphic design, photography, social media, video and printed material
• Production costs, including freight and artists’ wages
• Only one participant per conference or meeting and only where the participant is a principal speaker and the subject of the conference is of direct relevance to the grant opportunity.

For activities delivered in Australia, applicants are encouraged to consider the use of an Indigenous supplier, if they intend to subcontract any of the services above. A directory of registered Indigenous businesses is available at www.supplynation.org.au.

I’m worried about international travel restrictions due to COVID-19, what can I do?

Make it clear in your application how your project will comply with COVID-19 related restrictions in place at the time you submit your application. While travel restrictions have begun to ease, we encourage applicants to take a pragmatic approach to travel given the ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 situation. Applications with a travel component should specify a plan for alternative/virtual delivery of the project.

Can I resubmit a previous application?

Organisations and individuals are welcome to resubmit project proposals from previous applications but would still be required to create a new application in SmartyGrants and meet the eligibility and assessment criteria for the current round

Can I apply if I have an existing AKF grant?

Individuals and organisations with outstanding grant acquittals or other compliance issues are not eligible to apply in open rounds. Applications are welcome from those who have received funding in previous grant rounds.

Can I submit a late application?

For the 2022-23 round, please make sure you submit your application before 2 pm AEST Wednesday 11 May 2022. You will not be able to make a submission in SmartyGrants after the deadline.

How do I write a strong application?

• Have a good idea, work out how you're going to execute it and find a keen partner in Australia or Korea to help you with it.
• Read the grant guidelines and ensure your project outcomes are aligned with AKF objectives and priority areas. You should also consider how your application addresses themes like gender, diversity and inclusion; or innovation.
• Make the impact of the project clear. If the AKF supports your project, what will be new that couldn’t be done without AKF support?
• Develop a strong communications plan. Demonstrate how your project will generate positive and effective media coverage and commentary on the Australia-Korea relationship, promote a contemporary and positive image of Australia and support the Australian Government’s international policy goals.
• Demonstrate the viability of the project by making the co-contributions and collaboration between Korean and Australian partners clear.
• If your project proposal includes travel, articulate an alternative/virtual plan to deliver the project.
• Write the application for a non-specialist reader and have someone else read it before you submit.

Can you help me connect with a partner in Korea or Australia?

No. The Australia-Korea Foundation is not able to connect you with partners in Australia or Korea. Applicants are expected to be able to identify and work with partners to enable them to complete the proposed project.