Current Opportunities
Australia-Korea Foundation 2024-25 Grant Round is now open
The objectives of Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) are to increase public awareness of Australia in Korea and of Korea in Australia, develop partnerships in areas of shared interest in the bilateral, regional and global context and increase Australians' capacity to effectively engage with Korea.
The AKF 2024-25 annual grant round opened on 17 July 2024 and will close on 21 August 2024. The annual grant round offers funding to organisations and individuals to support projects or activities which advance Australia's engagement with Korea, including exchanges, partnerships and other collaborations in the general fields of business, education, academia, arts/culture and society.
For more information on the AKF and the 2024-25 grant round, please visit the AKF's Facebook page.
Australia-Japan Foundation 2024-25 Grant Round is now open
Applications open on Wednesday 17 July at 11am (AEST) and close at 2pm (AEST) on Wednesday 21 August.
The AJF provides grants for projects that promote a contemporary and positive image of Australia and align with the Australian Government's priorities. We're looking for a diverse range of applications that expand people-to-people and institutional links through programs and partnerships on contemporary issues, including in economic diplomacy, the arts, media, education, business, science, technology and sport.
We welcome applications from Australian and Japanese organisations, individuals and consortia that have a particular focus on the key priority areas and meet the objectives of the Australia-Japan Foundation.
AJF review processes will give priority to applications that demonstrate one or more of the following core principles:
- gender equality
- recognition/inclusion of First Nations people
- recognition/inclusion of diversity
In 2024-25, up to $780,000 is available for this grant opportunity. Grant applications for a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 per year will be considered.
We encourage those interested in our grant program to keep an eye on oursocial media accounts for announcements and updates. We can also be contacted at ajf.australia@dfat.gov.au with any questions.
Social media accounts
Grant Opportunity Now Open - Singapore-Australia Go Green Co-Innovation Program Round 2
The Go Green Co-Innovation Program (GGCIP) has launched round 2 of the GGCIP grant opportunity. Up to $7.5 million in grant funding is available for Australian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate with Singapore businesses and co-innovate on products, services or solutions in green priority sectors.
Apply now on GrantConnect.
Grant open date: 25 July 2024
Grant close date and time: 14 November 2024, 23:00 AEST
Australian SMEs and Singapore businesses are invited to attend a virtual information webinar and Q&A about the GGCIP – Round 2 on 21 August 13:00 – 14:00 AEST |11:00 – 12:00 SGT.
Complete the Registration Form to attend.
Contact us at GGCIP@dfat.gov.au
ASEAN-Australia Centre 2024-25 Grants Round – opening soon
The ASEAN-Australia Centre is a newly established national platform that supports and promotes initiatives aimed at strengthening Australian business, education, cultural and community connections with Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste. Each year the Centre will provide grants focused on different priority areas to develop and strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and ASEAN Member States.
For the 2024-25 grants round, the Centre will disburse up to $1.1 million in grants through an open competitive application process. The priority areas of focus for this grants round are creative industry focused exchange initiatives, cultural initiatives, and academic research.
The 2024-25 grants round will open soon. For further information on the grants round and the Centre, please contact aseanaustraliacentre@dfat.gov.au and register on GrantConnect to receive notifications about this grant opportunity.
Upcoming International Trade Network (ITN) Events
The International Trade Network (ITN) aims to enhance dialogue and collaboration across Australia on trade and investment policy issues.
The ITN is hosting two upcoming panel events with options to attend in person or virtually:
- Reglobalisation and the Future of Trade on 31 July from 1-2:30pm
- Global strategic competition and technological innovation: why IP matters for trade and the future of international trade relations on 14 August from 2-3:30pm
The August panel on intellectual property follows the historic global agreement concluded in May at the World Intellectual Property Organization recognising the use of Indigenous peoples' genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent systems.
Join the ITN to stay connected and hear about other upcoming events. It is open to anyone with an interest in trade and investment policy.
Osaka Expo 2025 Opportunities
There are a range of opportunities for businesses to be involved in next years World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Expressions of Interest applications are running through until 31 December 2024 for sponsor partnership arrangements, hosting events or being apart of the cultural program.
Launch of new Landing Pads in Vietnam and Indonesia
Austrade recently established two new Landing Pad programs in Indonesia and Vietnam, as part of the response to the Southeast Asian Economic Strategy to 2040 (specifically, meeting recommendation 67). These new regional hubs will support Australian technology scaleups to capitalise on the vast opportunities in Southeast Asia and boost the region's digital transformation, through delivering
- A digital export-readiness program to build market understanding; and
- In-market delegations aligned to key technology events.
Austrade's Landing Pads support Australian technology companies to enter and expand in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, India and China.
Expression of interest applications are now open:
- Fintech in Indonesia digital market readiness program. Set to commence 1 Aug 2024.
- Export Acceleration in USAdigital market readiness program. Set to commence 21 August.
Expression of interest applications opening soon:
- Cleantech in Vietnam digital market readiness program. Set to commence Sept 2024
- Fintech in Southeast Asia digital market readiness program (covers all Southeast Asian markets). Set to commence later in 2024
First Nations founders are strongly encouraged to apply. Questions can be direct to William.Johnson@austrade.gov.au.
APEC Indigenous Trade Dialogue, 20 August in Lima, Peru (and online)
Australia, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, will host an APEC event on Increasing Access to the Benefits of Trade for Indigenous Businesses and Entrepreneurs on 20 August in Lima.
Discussion will focus on topics related to digital technologies; opportunities in the services sector; and collaborative approaches for climate action and biodiversity. Speakers from across the APEC region, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, and the United States, will meet in Lima to share experiences and approaches, and views on government policies, Indigenous-led programmes, and business practices that can support Indigenous trade and investment.
Representatives from OpinioNative (NZ), eNovax Solutions (PNG), Indigenous Box (Canada), Supply Nation (Australia), Indigital (Australia), Profonanpe (Peru), Mercado Ancestral (Chile), Ensamble Artesenal (Mexico), the Jabalbina Yalanji Rangers Program (Australia) and others will contribute to the discussion.
This event is a follow-up to the Australian-led APEC Indigenous Trade Dialogues held in Seattle in 2023.
To learn more or to register to participate in this event virtually, please contact apec@dfat.gov.au with the subject line: APEC Indigenous Trade Workshop. Please note this event will be held on 20 August at 8:30 - 16:30 PET in Lima, Peru and online at 23:30 (20 August) - 07:30 (21 August) AEST.
AICD First Nations Director Scholarship Program
The scholarship will provide First Nations leaders who are interested in becoming a board director, or building their professional skills as a director, access to world-class governance education and mentoring.
The scholarship is for First Nations candidates who are considering future community leadership roles, current senior government officers, First Nations leaders, CEOs, or anyone with an interest in board directorship within Indigenous or non-Indigenous community organisations.
Applicants have three program options to choose from based on their individual backgrounds, circumstances, and goals:
- Foundations of Directorship™ for Indigenous Organisations - designed for new and aspiring directors, senior executives, and managers wanting to gain to establish a solid understanding of board duties and responsibilities.
- Company Director Course™ for Indigenous Business Leaders – essential for directors aiming to advance their career and establish themselves as a trusted and respected board member.
- 12-month placement on The Observership Program - an initiative for scholars to partner with an organisation to gain structured and supported board experience, and seeing first hand the governance process.
Funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and delivered by Australian Institute of Company Directors in partnership with the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) and The Observership Program, the second round of the program will provide up to 56 full-fee scholarships to directors and leaders reporting to the boards of First Nations and non-Indigenous organisations.
Applications close on Sunday 25 August, 2024, at 11:59pm AWST.
For full details on eligibility and how to apply visit: First Nations Director Scholarship Program.
Upcoming Events
Supply Nation Supplier Diversity Awards and Connect24 trade show
Supply Nation's annual flagship event Connect is back for 2024. The event brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, corporate organisations, and government departments to foster strategic opportunities and celebrate the success of the Indigenous Business sector. The Knowledge Forum will take place on Wednesday 28 August, followed by the Indigenous Business Tradeshow and Gala Awards Dinner celebrating the Supplier Diversity Award finalists and winners on Thursday 29 August in Meanjin (Brisbane) on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Awards honour and recognise businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to supplier diversity, and excellence in driving a prosperous and vibrant Indigenous business sector. Austrade is a longtime partner of Supply Nation, and sponsors the Indigenous Exporter of the Year category. Congratulations to the 2024 finalists Elephant in the Room Consulting, LassWho and Munda Wines.
Austrade will host a stand in the Government Link area, where trade advisors will provide information on support and services – including the Go Global Toolkit – to First Nations businesses new to exporting or looking to diversify. Austrade representatives will also provide advice on the Government's initiatives related to tourism, including actions under THRIVE 2030, the national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy
Representatives from DFAT will also be in attendance. Please reach out to firstnationstade@dfat.gov.au if you'd like to arrange a time to chat at the event – it would be great to ‘connect'.
Recent News
Trade and Investment Queensland Board changes strengthen global business First Nations representation
Indigenous business leaders Jack Reis and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins have been announced as the latest members of the Trade and Investment Queensland board.
Mr Reis is a proud Badulaig man with heritage stemming from Badu Island in the Torres Strait and is a founding member and the CEO of cyber security firm, Baidam Solutions.
Ms Cockatoo-Collins is a proud Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island in Queensland's Southeast. Ms Cockatoo-Collins is the founder of Minjerribah Art Studio and is exporting original artworks, ceramics and clothing.
Congratulations to both!
Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment's First Nations Statement of Intent
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the initial draft Statement of Intent. Feedback is still welcomed and can be provided via DFAT's First Nations Trade Unit (firstnationstrade@dfat.gov.au) or to your jurisdictional representative on the SOTIG First Nations Economic Uplift Working Group (please see original email dated 4 July 2024).
All feedback received will be considered by the SOTIG First Nations Economic Uplift Working Group, the Statement of Intent will be finalised in partnership with pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group for agreement by Ministers (currently expected to be finalised by late 2024).
Nick Williams – Winner of the 2024 First Peoples Alumnus Award
Congratulates to our colleague, Nick Williams, on winning the Griffith University First Peoples Alumnus Award for 2024. The First Peoples Alumnus Award recognises an alumnus of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who is excelling in their professional career and contributing to the community.
Nick was recently deemed to uphold Griffith's values through his substantial contribution to achieving Australia's foreign, trade and First Nations policy priorities in Australia and internationally through his role as First Secretary – Economic at the Australian High Commission in London.
Further to this exciting news, Nick will also soon be commencing as Director – Strategy, Trade and Partnerships at the Office for First Nations International Engagement, led by Ambassador Justin Mohamed. We look forward to working with Nick in his new role.