2025-26 Grant Round – Stages One and Two
The COALAR Grants Program is part of the International Relations Grants Program.
The COALAR 2025-26 grant round will be managed through two stages as follows:
Stage One – Expression of Interest (EOI)
The Council on Australia Latin America Relations 2025-2026 Grant Round - Stage One – Expression of Interest (EOI) will open at 0800 AEST on Friday 8 August 2025 and will close at 1700 AEST on Thursday 4 September 2025.
Stage Two – Full Grant Application
The Council on Australia Latin America Relations 2025-2026 Grant Round - Stage Two – Full Grant Application will open at 0800 AEDT on Tuesday 7 October 2025 and will close at 1700 AEDT on Monday 3 November 2025.
Applications for Stage Two will be by invitation only. Only applicants shortlisted in Stage One will be invited to submit a Stage Two application.
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COALAR's Objectives
COALAR's objectives are to enhance economic, political and social relations between Australia and Latin America.
The COALAR Grants Program's objectives are aligned with COALAR's strategic goals which are:
- Goal 1 - Raise awareness of COALAR and Latin America-Australia relations
- Goal 2 - Strengthen commercial ties
- Goal 3 - Expand social and cultural connections
- Goal 4 - Foster and promote gender equality and women's leadership
COALAR's Priority Themes
The strategic priority areas of COALAR and the 2025-26 COALAR Grants Program are:
- Culture and Entrepreneurship – supporting collaborations that highlight Australian excellence; build understanding and exchange; and strengthen ties in areas such as music, theatre, dance, fashion, film and literature, gastronomy, tourism and sports, as well as initiatives that support youth development and leadership.
- Education and Research – fostering collaboration in education and research of value to both Australia and Latin America by, for example, developing bilateral education initiatives, leveraging alumni networks, facilitating dialogue and information sharing on education policies and practices, promoting Australia's international education sector, and thereby strengthening and expanding people to people, academic, institutional and education networks.
- Environment and Energy Transition – promoting increased collaboration in Australia and Latin America towards nature positive, where nature is regenerating rather than being in decline. Areas of collaboration may include net-zero planning, biodiversity loss, deforestation and water management; decarbonising the economy, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable practices; and disaster risk reduction and resilience (including bushfire and flood preparedness).
- First Nations – strengthening and expanding people to people, professional, and institutional networks to facilitate greater First Nations' cultural understanding in Australia and Latin America, through the sharing of knowledge on issues such as community governance, cultural heritage preservation, Indigenous participation in the trade and resource sectors, and sustainable practices.
- Mining, Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS), and Resources – encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing between Australian and Latin America mining, METS, and resources sectors to promote Australia as a partner of choice for Latin America in this sector, drive cooperation on best practices, and grow new business opportunities.
Level of Funding
In 2025-26, a total of up to $300,000 is available for this grant opportunity. COALAR will consider grant applications for a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 per year.
Co-contributions from applicants and other parties strengthen an application and are strongly encouraged.
Frequency of grant rounds
Generally, COALAR will conduct one major grant round each financial year, which will be published on GrantConnect and the DFAT website.