The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The Australian High Commission New Delhi manages the DAP in northern India. It supports projects that have a strong development focus, contribute to poverty reduction, and strengthen communities in India. Over the past decade, DAP has built linkages and fostered relationships between Australia and these communities.
What activities are eligible for DAP Support?
DAP activities should aim to achieve practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. We are committed to working with India to contain and combat COVID-19 and address the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic. In 2020-21 we aim to work with partners on high quality projects that support COVID-19 relief. Within that will favorably consider (but not be limited to) projects on five thematic areas including:
- Education, innovation & entrepreneurship: under education, projects that work towards increasing access and awareness on the new medium of learning during COVID-19. Under skill and entrepreneurship, projects that promote micro and small scale industries that have been impacted due to COVID-19, and dovetail with India’s self-reliance mission.
- Gender equality: projects that address gender-sensitive COVID-19 issues including women’s health and nutrition requirements, economic empowerment and help end violence and discrimination.
- Water and sanitation: projects that work towards access to safe drinking water and create awareness. Projects that assist in better sanitation and hygiene practices to control the spread of COVID-19.
- Agricultural productivity: projects that directly support productivity in India’s agricultural sector which has been hard hit by COVID-19. We can also consider projects that demonstrate Australia’s expertise and support for Indian agricultural exports.
- Public Administration and Governance: projects that promote good governance models and facilitate access and awareness on government schemes and programs through advocacy and capacity building, especially tailored to COVID-19 requirements.
They welcome projects that also consider health and disability inclusion within the above priority themes.
Funding Information
Grants are typically provided up to 25 Lakh INR. The majority of grant funding must be used to cover the direct project expenses (excluding staff salaries). Any administrative costs given by the application should comply with current FCRA rules. Funding recipients must meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support.
Projects should be self-contained, with finite time lines. They must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant.
Who can apply?
DAP funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to NGOs and academic institutions engaged in development activities. For projects in India, applicants must have current Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration and the applications should be in line with its latest Amendment Rules. Information about obtaining FCRA approval and notices can be found here.