Australian Alumni Grants Scheme (AAGS) 2024
Round Five: India
The Australian Alumni Grants Scheme (AAGS) supports the application, sharing of knowledge and experience gained by India-based Australian alumni during their studies in Australia in support of the bilateral relationship. It aims to strengthen ties between Australia and India. It also supports alumni in their professional endeavours, recognising the investment they have made in an Australian education. All projects require one Australian and one Indian partner.
Following the success of the four rounds of the AAGS, Australian diplomatic mission in India are pleased to announce the fifth round call for applications. You can read and watch more about previous successful applications here.
The key objectives of the AAGS 2024 are to:
- encourage innovation and collaboration in one or more of key sectors identified in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and/or India Economic Strategy:
- Cyber Security; Critical Technology; Space Technology, Science and Innovation; Technology; Renewable Energy; Critical Minerals; Advanced Manufacturing; Defence; Maritime Cooperation; Education (Edutech); Resources and Mining; Equipment; Services; Agribusiness / Agtech; Health; Infrastructure/Urban Development; Financial Services; Tourism and Sports;
- provide alumni with opportunities to enhance and capitalise on their knowledge and skills to improve practice in their professional fields and communities;
- develop, maintain and strengthen professional linkages and partnerships between alumni and the Australian government, and Australian businesses, organisations and educational institutions;
- connect alumni to each other across disciplines and professions, organisations and institutions, and geographic areas in order to share good practice and create opportunities for collaboration;
- develop a network of alumni who showcase Australia’s capabilities and credentials in a positive light; and
- showcase Australia’s excellence as a global provider of high quality education and research.
Grant Funding
The AAGS offers seed funding of up to AU$20,000 per grant, on a competitive basis, for initiatives that create impact by putting your knowledge and skills to good use. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your ideas to life and be the agent of change in your community.
Project costs relate to the scope of the grant activity, its complexity, proposed outcomes, and strategic advantage, and should be proportionate with administration and sensible risk management expectations.
Co-contributions from your organisation and other parties must be listen in your application and will be regarded positively.
Eligibility
The AAGS is open to all Indian nationals (or Australian’s with a valid Overseas Citizenship of India card) who have graduated from a recognised Australian tertiary institution, including those who are self-funded. It is also open to alumni of short-term studies or programs in Australia.
All applicants must have a valid registered Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act approval or the ability to acquire one prior to receiving Australian government funding as prescribed by the Government of India.
Australian diplomatic missions have a strong commitment to supporting diversity in leadership, including women, people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ community and those who work in related areas, and strongly encourage them to apply.
Grant Guidelines
These guidelines contain information for the AAGS highlighting:
- the purpose of the grant opportunity
- the eligibility and assessment criteria
- how grant applications are monitored and evaluated
- responsibilities and expectations in relation to the opportunity.
Application
Please submit your applications before 28 February 2024 at this link.
Planned timeline
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Time |
|---|---|
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Applications open |
09:00 on 23 January 2024 |
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Applications close |
23:59 on 28 February 2024 |
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Assessment of applications |
March 2024 |
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Approval of outcomes of selection process |
April 2024 |
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Negotiations and award of grant agreements |
April 2024 |
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Notification of outcomes |
1 April 2024 |
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Project activity to commence |
April 2024 |
Previous Winners
In the previous rounds we received over 200 high-quality applications from Australian alumni across India, covering areas as diverse as climate change, landing-pad promoting startup ecosystem, cybersecurity, agritech, medtech, clean energy, education, science, research and innovation. After completing a competitive and merit-based assessment by the AAGS Selection Committee, the Australian Government supported more than 37 alumni-led projects totalling AU$478,000.
Read projects supported in previous Rounds here.
Contacts
For further information on the AAGS, or information on how Australian alumni can work with Australian diplomatic missions, please contact the mission closest to you: New Delhi; Chennai; Mumbai; Kolkata or email [email protected]