Direct Aid Program

Direct Aid Program

Applications for the 2018-2019 funding cycle of the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) are closed now.

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.

Each year, DAP Committee receives and evaluates projects which are then submitted to the Ambassador for approval.

Projects in the following sectors are prioritized: 

• education and health;
• poverty alleviation and rural development;
• disability, the elderly, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment;
• law reform and legal aid, human rights, media freedom; and
• environmental protection and green development.

The Committee looks favourably on applicants looking to implement innovative projects with positive social, environment and development impacts.

The DAP Committee prioritizes projects that work with China’s most vulnerable groups, including those living in poverty, those who are socially excluded, minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities, women and children.

DAP recipients should be reputable, with demonstrated capacity to deliver projects and must be registered to operate in China. Foreign NGOs must already either be registered or have temporary registration for the proposed project.

Selected applications should be able to enhance the public diplomacy and economic diplomacy goals of the Australian Embassy in Beijing or other China Posts. These include building awareness and understanding of Australia’s deep and broad engagement with China and promoting Australia’s development credentials.

The following activities and inputs are not eligible for DAP funding:

• grants programs run by other governments;
• 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; and
• direct support for governments.

Contact the DAP Committee of the Australian Embassy in Beijing for more information.