Key changes in the 2026-27 Grant Round
In the 2026-27 grant round, the minimum and maximum grant amounts have changed to $50,000 and $150,000 respectively. Please see section 3.1 of the Grant Guidelines.
The priority areas in the 2026-27 grant round have changed from previous rounds. Please see section 2.1 of the Grant Guidelines.
What do I need to do to apply?
Before you start your application, please read the Australia-Japan Foundation Grant Guidelines carefully to ensure you meet all requirements. Then log in to SmartyGrants to access and complete the application form.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Please read Section 4: Eligibility criteria of the Grant Guidelines. We can't consider your application if it does not satisfy all eligibility criteria.
What's the deadline for applications?
You must submit your application via the online form in SmartyGrants by 2pm AEST / 1pm JST Tuesday 2 June 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Does my activity/event have to take place in Australia or Japan?
Your activity must take place in either Australia or Japan, or both.
When will I find out the outcomes of the grant round?
We expect to notify successful and unsuccessful applicants in September 2026. Please read Section 7.3 of the Grant Guidelines for information on the timing of grant opportunity processes.
When would I receive my grant funding?
We anticipate that grant funding will be available from September-October 2026. Successful grantees will need to negotiate a grant agreement that will determine the exact timing of when the payment will occur. Grant funding will not be paid until a grant agreement has been executed by both parties.
What's the duration of the grant?
The maximum grant period is one year for a single-year project and up to three years for multi-year projects.
You must commence the project before 30 June 2027.
We must execute a grant agreement with you before we can make any payments. You must not start any agreed project activities until a grant agreement is executed. Please refer to Section 3.2 of the Grant Guidelines.
How much funding can I apply for?
We will consider grant applications for a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $150,000 per year. Please see section 3.1 of the Grant Guidelines.
Your activity and the funding you apply for will be assessed for value for money. While co-contributions from applicants and other parties are encouraged to strengthen the application, they're not mandatory.
The final funding amount you receive is at the discretion of the Program Delegate.
Will I get the whole grant amount I apply for?
Successful applicants may be offered a lower amount of funding than requested. After assessment, the Program Delegate will make the final decision on eligible expenditure and may seek to negotiate alternate funding amounts depending on the activity. You would be given an opportunity to decide whether you wish to accept any reduced funding.
We encourage you to apply with a realistic budget plan and to also consider alternative funding sources and a back-up plan to demonstrate how the project would continue to meet AJF objectives should we offer partial funding only.
Should the grant funding I request include GST?
All grant payments will be GST exclusive. Payments will be made as set out in the grant agreement. Grant payments are not considered payments for a taxable supply. Grants are provided based on eligibility criteria, not in exchange for goods or services supplied to DFAT. Therefore, GST does not apply to grant payments.
We recommend you seek independent professional advice on your taxation obligations or seek assistance from the Australian Taxation Office. We do not provide advice on your particular taxation circumstances.
What supporting documents do I need to provide with my application?
A list of attachments/supporting documents can be found in sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Grant Guidelines and in the application form. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete and accurate. We may contact you if we require additional supporting documents.
What's considered to be reasonable travel costs/expenses?
As a general principle, travel budgets should reflect basic travel, accommodation and sustenance costs that align with what an applicant would personally use while ensuring value for taxpayer money.
- Airfares should be budgeted at a reasonable economy rate without regard to airline preferences up to AUD $1,500 return.
- Accommodation costs should reflect the price of an appropriate, reasonably priced 3- or 4-star hotel.
- Travel allowances will be limited to AUD$250 per traveller per day
We suggest you compare various options for the same service/item and consider the one that is appropriate, reasonable, realistic and value with money. Please keep evidence of these expenses and comparisons.
The AJF will only cover up to the maximum amount specified for international flights and travel allowances as per 5.3 of the Grant Guidelines. Any costs that exceed this amount will need to be funded from other sources.
You'll be required to report how you spent the grant funds at the completion of the grant activity. This may include provision of payment receipts as evidence to support your claim for delivery of the grant's activities.
Can we fly business class if we cover the difference between economy class and business airfares?
Eligible air travel costs are limited to the economy class fare for each sector. If you choose to fly in a higher class, only the equivalent economy fare (at a reasonable rate, regardless of airline preference) will be considered eligible expenditure. You will need to provide evidence of the economy fare for your travel dates.
We'll consider value with money and appropriate, reasonable and realistic costings. You may use other sources of funding to cover any additional costs beyond the economy fare.
Can we seek funding for retrospective costs for travel or events that will occur as part of future project activity, e.g. airline tickets or venue hire deposits?
You can seek funding for costs paid towards future travel/events that form part of the project activity. However, you cannot claim the costs for activities that have already taken place.
Can you advise on our proposed application and what my chances would be of being successful?
As this is a competitive grant round, we cannot comment on your eligibility or chances of being successful. Please read through our website, the Grant Guidelines and the preview of the SmartyGrants application form to determine your eligibility and if your project proposal would meet the objectives of the AJF and grant opportunity.