First Nations International Fellowships and Partnerships

The Australian Government is committed to implementing a First Nations approach to foreign policy, including trade and international development. The objective of a First Nations approach to foreign policy is to better project the shared and full identity of Australia in our foreign policy, deepen our collaboration with key global partners, strengthen resilience in the Indo-Pacific, and deliver enduring benefits for First Nations Australians.

The Fellowship Grants Opportunity is to enhance the number of First Nations Australians participating in international meetings. The Partnerships Grants Opportunity is to enable First Nations Australians to build sustainable partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.

The objectives of the program are to:  

• deepen Australia’s partnerships in the Pacific;
• advance First Nations trade and investment;
• progress First Nations’ rights and interests globally;
• and elevate First Nations cultural diplomacy.

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN);
• be registered for the purposes of GST if required by the Australian Tax Office;
• hold an account with an Australian financial institution;
• and be a permanent resident of Australia.
• You must also be one of the following entity types:
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006;
  • an organisation established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State or Territory legislation including public benevolent institutions, churches and universities a company incorporated in Australia;
  • a company incorporated in Australia;
  • an incorporated association (i.e. usually has ‘Association’ or ‘Inc’ in its legal name);
  • a publicly funded research organisation;
  • a not-for-profit organisation;
  • or a joint (consortia) application with a lead organisation.

It's recognised that some organisations may want to join as a group to deliver a grant activity. In these circumstances, you must appoint a ‘lead organisation’ that can submit the application and enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The application must identify all other members of the proposed group and include a letter of support from each of the partners.