Please read the CAAR Grant Guidelines before you submit your application.
Can I apply for a grant?
Please read Section 4: Eligibility criteria of the Grant Guidelines. We cannot consider your application if it does not satisfy the eligibility criteria.
You can apply for a grant if you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or on behalf of an Australian organisation.
DFAT provides grants to non-Australian organisations, if working alongside an Australian partner. Funding will be transacted in Australian Dollars in an Australian Financial Institute to the Australian organisation.
Does my activity or event have to take place in Australia or Middle East and North African (MENA) countries?
Yes, your activity must take place in either Australia or MENA countries, or virtually. Please monitor
Smartraveller for relevant travel advice, as in-country grant activities are not allowed in Level 4 Do Not Travel countries.
Can I apply for a grant if the project will take more than one year to complete?
No, the applicant only receives funding for one year at a time. CAAR funds singular year grants.
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online through Smartygrants. A link to the application form will be available on the CAAR website when the grant round opens.
What are the chances of getting a grant?
As this is a competitive round, we cannot comment on your eligibility or chances of being successful. Please read the Grant Guidelines to assess your eligibility and if your project proposal would achieve the objectives of the CAAR grants round.
If you are still unsure your project meets the requirements, please send an email to caar@dfat.gov.au to seek advice prior to completing an application.
What documentation do I need to provide in my application?
Please refer to Section 7 of the Grant Guidelines for further information. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete and accurate. We may contact you if we require additional supporting documents.
How do I write a strong application?
- Have a good idea, work out how you are going to execute it and find an interested partner in Australia or the MENA region.
- Read the Grant Guidelines and ensure your project outcomes are aligned with CAAR objectives and that year’s priority areas.
- Make the aim and impact of the project clear.
- Develop a strong communications plan. Demonstrate how your project will generate positive and effective media coverage and commentary on the Australia-MENA 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-sponsors and collaboration between MENA and Australian partners clear. What will project partners bring to the table, either in cash or in-kind support?
- Develop a robust risk management plan. This is especially important if your project includes travel to the MENA region, articulate an alternative plan to deliver the project. This could include virtual delivery, rather than in-country activities.
- Write the application for a non-specialist reader and have someone else read it before you submit.
Can the CAAR help me connect with a partner in MENA countries or Australia?
No, the CAAR cannot connect you with partners. Applicants are expected to be able to identify and work with partners to enable them to complete the proposed project.
The project should be well thought out and ready to be implemented. Applicants should have, at least, in principle support from the organisation or people identified as being a project partner in the application. Project counterparts (overseas) should be well-briefed about the project and their role in it. Written support from the project partner/s strengthens the application.
What can grant money be used for?
Please refer to Section 5 of the Grant Guidelines on eligible expenditure.
How much information should I provide in the budget?
Budgets must be appropriate, reasonable and realistic, reflecting basic travel, accommodation and sustenance costs that an applicant would personally use, while ensuring value for taxpayer money.
The Australian Tax Office Tax Determination sets out reasonable amounts for overseas travel expenses such as meals and incidentals.
Who will assess applications?
The CAAR Board members and DFAT officers assess each application.
If I am successful, what happens next?
DFAT will send you an email congratulating you on your success and requesting you complete the ‘Communications Outline’ for the project and a ‘Vendor Request Form’. You will then receive a 'letter of offer / grant agreement' (contract) for signing. This states the terms and conditions of accepting the funding and requests an invoice to enable payment. A request to sign the 'Working with Vulnerable People Statement of Compliance' form will require signing.
Who will assess applications?
The CAAR Board members and DFAT officers assess each application.
Do I need to do anything to complete my CAAR grant?
Please read Section 12 of the Grant Guidelines.
The applicant will need to submit an acquittal report in Smartygrants within 60 days of completing their project detailing what the outcomes were and how they were achieved.
As part of the acquittal process, you should also submit relevant materials produced through the project, such as social media content, videos, photographs, reports, journal articles and policy papers.
Note: DFAT does not assist with visa applications or travel advice. Please monitor Smartraveller for more information regarding travel advice at the time of applying.