Direct Aid Program (DAP) – Kolkata
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata manages the DAP in east and northeast 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.
Since 2020, the Australian Consulate-General Kolkata’s DAP projects have supported economic and social development initiatives in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Odisha, Nagaland, Manipur and Jharkhand, growing in reach with each passing year. Some recent examples include:
- In West Bengal, DAP partner Satmile Satish Club O Pathaghar is building rural women’s capacities in farming through training in agricultural technologies, production, value chain, business model and marketing;
- In Nagaland, women are being provided certified training in soft toy-making and marketing by DAP partner Pinnacle Skills, creating skills for a source of income;
- In Odisha, DAP partner Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial Force Trust is working with local youth to conserve indigenous wisdom in climate action through the documentation of indigenous practices on ecosystem preservation, diversified agriculture, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation to create a repository of indigenous knowledge; and to imbibe these in climate change policies.
- In Assam, DAP partner Shishu Sarothi is training young persons with disabilities in screen printing, enabling their economic empowerment, and inclusion in the workforce.
Who can apply?
DAP funding is available to community groups, NGOs and academic institutions engaged in development activities on a not-for-profit basis. 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.
The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata supports small-scale, sustainable development projects in: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
If the project is in Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and/or Uttar Pradesh, queries should be directed to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi at [email protected]
If the project is in Goa, Gujarat and/or Maharashtra, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai at [email protected]
If the project is in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry and/or Tamil Nadu, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai at [email protected]
If the project is in Karnataka and/or Telangana, queries should be directed to the Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru at [email protected]
What activities are eligible for DAP support?
DAP activities should aim to achieve practical and tangible outcomes of high development impact. In 2024-25 we aim to work with partners on high quality projects on five thematic areas:
- Education, innovation and entrepreneurship: Australia and India are committed to supporting education and research collaboration, through knowledge exchange and innovation. Kolkata’s DAP will prioritise education access particularly to women and girls, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. DAP will prioritise projects which provide pathways between skill training and marketing and entrepreneurship.
- Sustainable farming and agricultural technology: Australian expertise has been enabling India’s agricultural productivity for over four decades. Building capacity in sustainable agriculture and farming techniques is a priority. DAP will prioritise projects that enable India’s farmers, especially women-led farming, to increase productivity, strengthen income streams and enhance food security.
- Climate action and energy: DAP will focus on projects that promote sustainable conservation practices and minimise the depletion of natural resources and barriers. In particular we will focus on initiatives that are self-sustaining.
- Gender diversity and women’s empowerment: The Australian Government’s commitment to gender equality is at the heart of Australia’s International Development Policy. Australian development assistance will be geared towards improving the lives of women and girls, especially in communities where they are vulnerable to gender-based violence and trafficking.
Consistent with Australia’s Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment strategy, the DAP program seeks to address the following:
- promote women’s health and nutrition requirements
- promote women’s economic empowerment
- promote women’s status in their communities, and
- help end violence against women and girls.
- Human rights and diversity: DAP will encourage innovative and sustainable ideas that promote diversity in all its forms - indigenous inclusion, LGBTQIA+ and disability rights.
Projects must be clearly defined with specific outputs. Applications will be approved on the basis of:
· the costs and the development benefits of the proposal
· achievable and sustainable outcomes
· consideration of environmental impact
· soundness of the project's objectives and design
· the practicability of the proposed implementation arrangements
· whether the project conforms with the objectives of the Direct Aid Program, and
· compliance with FCRA rules.
Funding and timeframes
DAP grants typically range up to 10 lakh INR, with some flexibility in case of justified project expenses.
We will generally NOT fund the following:
- staff salaries
- loans, cash grants or micro-credit schemes or projects that involve the return of money
- commercial ventures, purchase of major assets, e.g. vehicles, or property
- international travel
- sponsorship of major sporting tournaments or cultural displays that do not have a clear developmental benefit
- construction activities
- routine, recurring or running costs and administrative expenses including office rental and utility costs
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 timelines. They must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant.
Expectations for accountability, transparency and reporting
We require a high degree of transparency and accountability in all projects.
Should your project be successful, you will be required to:
- sign a contract specifying the terms and conditions of the grant
- follow all due diligence requirements of the Australian High Commission / Consulate-General including furnishing reference details and FCRA designated State Bank of India account details where the funds will be posted
- keep full financial records of all expenditure, including receipts
- submit a progress report within six months of receiving your funding
- submit a final report at the project’s completion
- facilitate visits by Australian Government representatives to the project site, where safe to do so.
How can we apply?
The Australian Consulate-General Kolkata’s DAP operates on the Australian financial year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June. The 2024-25 DAP Application Round will open on 4 October 2024 and close on 4 November 2024.
All DAP applications must be submitted through our online grants management system SmartyGrants. The portal operates on a web-based platform and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Applications are usually reviewed through a one-stage process wherein all applicants are encouraged to submit a full application in the format available on SmartyGrants. Information on FCRA registration and financial audit statements for the previous two years is mandatory for all applicants.
All applicants will be notified about the outcome of their applications via email by the end of December 2024.
Apply here - follow the link to begin your application process –
Link: https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/KolkataDAP2024-25
If you have any questions while completing your application, please contact [email protected] Do include your application number in your email subject.