Maitri Grants Open for Australia-India Projects
Applications for the 2026-27 Maitri Grants and Fellowships programmes are now open, administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that applications are open for the 2026-27 Maitri Grants and Fellowships programmes. The Centre for Australia-India Relations has supported over 110 projects since 2023.
Why it matters
The programmes are described as supporting implementation of A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India. Strengthening economic collaboration, policy connections and cultural links with India is framed as critical for Australia's economic security and prosperity.
Since the Centre for Australia-India Relations began supporting these programmes in 2023, over 110 projects have received funding. The extraction does not state the 2026-27 funding pool or the number of awards to be made.
The players
Penny Wong
Australian Foreign Minister who announced the opening of applications for the 2026-27 Maitri programmes.
Centre for Australia-India Relations
Body under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that runs the Maitri Grants and Fellowships programmes.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian government department that administers the Centre for Australia-India Relations and the Maitri programmes.
The details
The Maitri Grant Program funds projects that facilitate exchange and collaboration between Australian and Indian business, cultural, education, research and sporting communities. The Maitri Fellowships Program funds Australian organisations to engage an Australian or Indian fellow to undertake research on geostrategic or geoeconomic policy issues, with the programmes focusing on clean energy, education, advanced technology, agribusiness and tourism.
Timeline
2023: Centre for Australia-India Relations programmes established and begin supporting projects.
November 6, 2026: Applications open for the 2026-27 Maitri Grants and Fellowships programmes.
Roadmap
The Maitri programmes are positioned as a means of implementing A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India. They extend that roadmap's economic engagement goals into funded exchanges, research and projects across business, education and cultural communities.
Australian organisations interested in the programmes can apply for funding under the 2026-27 round, which is now open. Applicants planning cross-border exchange or research with India should review the programme criteria before preparing submissions.
The takeaway
The Maitri programmes show how targeted funding can turn bilateral strategy into concrete exchanges across business, research and culture. For readers, the open 2026-27 round is a direct route into that cooperation.
Further reading
For broader context on travel and exchange across the region, explore Australia and New Zealand destinations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewKerala.
