Australian Embassy
China

Direct Aid Program

Direct Aid Program

Applications for the Australian Embassy’s 2017-18 Direct Aid Program (DAP) are now closed.

Information on the 2018-19 DAP will be provided on the Australian Embassy’s website from mid-2018.

DAP is a competitive, flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government with the primary aim of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development outcomes consistent with Australia’s national interests. DAP generally funds around ten high-quality projects in China each year.

DAP is available to individuals, community groups and NGOs engaged in development activities, on a not-for-profit basis. The program is aimed principally at supporting small-scale development projects/activities focused on practical and tangible results.

The Australian Embassy in Beijing is responsible for DAP in China. The DAP Committee receives and evaluates projects which are then submitted to the Ambassador for approval.

There is a funding limit of AU$50,000 per DAP application and projects need to be completed within 12 months. Applications for funding generally range from AU$10,000 to AU$50,000.

In 2017-18, DAP will focus on:

  • assistance for basic service delivery to China’s poorest regions; and
  • engagement with emerging and existing NGOs, particularly in sectors of benefit to women and girls, children, ethnic minorities, and people with disability.

Eligible activities for DAP funding include: education; community health; water and sanitation; governance; law reform and legal aid; small-scale infrastructure; rural development; environmental protection (including climate change); and gender equity. In certain cases, consideration may be given for funding to contribute to disaster relief operations.

As a general rule, the following activities and inputs are not funded:

  • grants programs run by other governments or organisations
  • micro-credit schemes or any other projects that involve return of money or loans for cash
  • salary of permanent staff of implementing organisation
  • administrative costs not directly related to project implementation
  • purchase or rental of property or land
  • purchase of vehicles
  • routine, recurring and/or running costs including: office rent, electricity, water, phone, internet, etc.; routine maintenance and repairs (including of equipment such as photocopiers, computers, stoves, fridges etc.); and office or equipment insurance
  • commercial ventures
  • direct support for governments

The focus is on activities that have a direct, practical, immediate impact. Check out some of the highlights of the 2015-2016 DAP for China here.