Australia Direct Aid Program Kolkata 2026-27
By Australian High Commission, New Delhi
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Quick Answer
Grants of up to about ₹10 lakh for FCRA-registered NGOs and community groups running 12-month development projects in east and north-east India. Closes 21 Nov 2026.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹10L
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- 16d — 21 Nov 2026
About this grant
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) 2026-27 round run by the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata is a small-grants scheme funded by the Australian Government for not-for-profit development projects in east and north-east India. Grants typically go up to ₹10 lakh (10 lakh INR) per project, and the page says the round is open now, with the last date for applications on 21 November 2026.
What the program offers
The Direct Aid Program is described as a small grants program that supports not-for-profit development projects that reduce poverty and strengthen communities. Grants typically range up to 10 lakh INR, and the consulate says there is some flexibility for justified expenses. Most of the money must pay for direct project costs, so think of it as funding for activities and materials rather than overheads.
Projects are asked to fit five priority themes for 2026-27: education, innovation and entrepreneurship (especially access for women, girls, persons with disabilities, tribal communities and LGBTQIA+ members); sustainable farming and agricultural technology (especially women-led farming); climate action and energy, with a focus on self-sustaining greening initiatives; gender diversity and women's empowerment, including health, economic empowerment and ending violence against women and girls; and human rights and diversity, including indigenous inclusion and disability rights.
The program generally does not fund cash grants, micro-credit or any project involving repayment, commercial ventures, major assets such as vehicles, study tours, international travel, sponsorship of sports or cultural events without a clear development benefit, staff salaries, or routine running and administrative costs such as rent, utilities and maintenance.
Who can apply
The page says community groups, non-government organisations (NGOs) and academic institutions doing not-for-profit development work can apply. Projects in India need current FCRA registration, and applicants must provide financial audit statements for the previous two years. The Kolkata office covers Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal. Projects elsewhere go to other Australian missions: New Delhi for the northern states, Mumbai for Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra, Chennai for the southern coastal states and island territories, and Bengaluru for Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
Projects must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable after the grant ends. Applicants must also meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support, so a project with zero local contribution is a weak fit. This round suits established, FCRA-registered organisations with a focused project in the listed states; it does not suit individuals, ordinary for-profit startups, or projects outside the Kolkata region.
How to apply
Applications go through the SmartyGrants portal. Have your FCRA registration details and your last two years of audited financial statements ready before you begin, because both are required. The consulate encourages applicants to submit a full application, as applications are usually reviewed in a single stage. Write a clear budget that separates what the grant covers from your own or in-kind contribution, and explain how the work will keep going after the 12 months.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The consulate lists its selection criteria: cost and development benefit, achievable and sustainable outcomes, environmental impact, soundness of objectives and design, practicable implementation, alignment with DAP objectives, and FCRA compliance. Successful applicants sign a grant contract and complete due diligence, including details of an FCRA-designated bank account. They keep full financial records with receipts, send a progress report within six months of receiving funding and a final report on completion, and allow visits by Australian Government representatives where it is safe to do so. The page does not state when decisions are announced.
About the Australian Consulate-General, Kolkata
The consulate is part of the Australian Government's network in India. It manages the Direct Aid Program for east and north-east India, working alongside the High Commission in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
Things to check before you apply
- Check your FCRA registration is current before anything else.
- Foreign contribution, tax and reporting rules are for your own adviser to confirm.
- Make sure your project location is in the Kolkata list; otherwise find the right consulate's round.
- The page does not state a minimum grant or a decision date.
- A practical tip: the deadline is a date without a stated time, so submit a few days early.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹10L
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Selected projects receive a grant that typically goes up to 10 lakh INR (₹10 lakh), with some flexibility for justified expenses. Most of the money must cover direct project costs. Applicants must contribute some of the cost from their own funds or in-kind support.
- Duration
- 12 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applications are usually reviewed in a single stage against these criteria: cost and development benefit, achievable and sustainable outcomes, environmental impact, soundness of objectives and design, practicable implementation, alignment with DAP objectives, and FCRA compliance. Successful applicants then sign a grant contract and complete due diligence.
Application Process
- 1
Prepare documents
Gather FCRA details and two years of audited statements.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Kolkata Direct Aid Program?
Community groups, non-government organisations and academic institutions doing not-for-profit development work can apply. The project must be in one of the eastern or north-eastern states the Kolkata office covers.
Which states does the Kolkata round cover?
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal. Projects in other states go to the Australian missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru.
Can an Indian NGO apply to an Australian consulate for money?
Yes. The scheme is written for organisations in India, but the NGO must hold current FCRA registration and give audited statements for the previous two years.
How much can a project get?
Grants typically go up to 10 lakh INR, with some flexibility for justified expenses. The page does not state a minimum amount.
What is the deadline?
The last date for filing applications is 21 November 2026. The page does not state a cut-off time, so submit early.
What if the deadline has passed?
The page describes only the 2026-27 round and names no later round, so we cannot say when the next one will open.
Is it a grant or a loan?
It is a grant. The program generally does not fund loans, micro-credit or any project that involves repayment.
Do I need to put in my own money?
Yes, in part. Applicants must meet some of the project costs from their own funds or in-kind support.
How long can the project last?
No longer than 12 months, and it should keep going on its own after the grant ends.
What reports are required if I win?
A progress report within six months of receiving funding and a final report on completion, plus full financial records and receipts.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
