Grant Opportunities

The AICCTP’s 2023 (Round 3) grant opportunity will prioritise emerging and critical technology‑related proposals that focus on the following areas:

1. activities that facilitate Australia-India research partnerships, in particular involving academics and think tanks, to strengthen understanding of ethical frameworks for emerging and critical technologies, and the development of best practice in translating ethical frameworks (including existing global frameworks like the G20 AI Principles) into practical action;
2. initiatives that encourage the development of technical critical technology standards that advance Australia and India’s interests, and enable more meaningful engagement in international standards discussions; and
3. research on the trends shaping the global and technology marketplace or that assesses the opportunities and effectiveness of ethical frameworks or technical standards for emerging and critical technologies.

Grant rounds may consider broader proposals for Australia-India collaboration on addressing cyber security challenges, including enhancing the security of the Internet of Things, 5G/6G and cloud technology. 

To be eligible the lead partner must be a research institution:

• located in Australia and have a partner institution that is in India for the purposes of the activity; or
• be in India and have a partner institution that is in Australia for the purposes of the activity

and be one of the following entity types:

• a company incorporated in Australia or India
• a company incorporated by guarantee
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• an incorporated association
• a partnership
• a joint (consortia) application with a lead organisation
• a think tank or research organisation
• an Indian sub-national government body.

Joint (consortia) applications involving more than one organisation are acceptable. Multistakeholder involvement (including from businesses, non-government organisations, and/or government bodies) is encouraged where appropriate, provided the lead applicant is the main driver of the project and eligible to apply. Applications involving partners based in third countries in the Indo‑Pacific (including but not limited to Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and other ASEAN countries) are encouraged.

Indian applicants should ensure they comply with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) in relation to the project, including holding a FCRA certificate if applicable. Information supplied by applicants may be shared with Indian and Australia government agencies.

Funding from AICCTP grants can be used to support:

• Personnel - Eligible labour expenditure for the grant covers the direct labour costs of employees you directly employ on the core elements of the project. 
• Direct costs of the eligible grant activities.
• Travel – Estimated costs for domestic and/or international economy class airfares and modest accommodation and per diems that are essential for delivery of the project.
• Equipment – DFAT will only fund ‘small equipment’ or software specific to the project proposal. ‘Small equipment’ is defined as equipment under a total of $10,000 that is used collaboratively and, where possible, is Australian made.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) – As a key component of the program, costs associated with MEL processes and activities to inform program reporting and learning should be identified separately within the indicative budget outline.

Before applying, you must read and understand these guidelines and the application form available at SmartyGrants.