DAP- Direct Aid Program

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is part of the Australian Government’s global development assistance program. DAP was established to provide funding directly to communities for activities that support sustainable development.

DAP is a flexible small grants program that supports projects with a strong development focus. DAP projects should primarily deliver practical and tangible outcomes, generate a direct and immediate impact, and clearly demonstrate their achievements.

 

2026–2027 Funding Round

What is the process for obtaining funding?

Information webinars

Attendance at an information webinar will be a mandatory requirement for all organisations wishing to apply to the Direct Aid Program (DAP) 2026–2027. Webinars will be delivered according to the country in which the proposed project will be implemented.

Two sessions will be offered for each country on the same day:

• 10:00 am to 11:30 am (Mexico City time)

• 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm (Mexico City time)

Organisations may register for whichever session is most convenient. Each participant is responsible for checking the corresponding time in their timezone.

The webinars will explain the program objectives, eligibility requirements, application process and application form. These sessions are intended to strengthen the quality of proposals and provide guidance on completing the application correctly.

Important: Organisations that do not attend one of the webinars will not receive the link to access the application form. However, the Embassy may consider exceptions in justified cases, particularly where an organisation faces significant connectivity or internet access limitations, or other circumstances beyond its control. These circumstances must be communicated promptly to the Embassy at [email protected].

The webinar dates and registration links for organisations in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama are provided below:

 

 

Country and date	Morning session	Afternoon session
COSTA RICA – Monday, 21 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session
EL SALVADOR – Tuesday, 22 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session
HONDURAS – Wednesday, 23 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session
PANAMA – Thursday, 24 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session
GUATEMALA – Friday, 25 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Monday, 28 September 2026	Morning session	Afternoon session

 

 

General application process

After joining the corresponding webinar and receiving the application link, applicant organizations must complete an Expression of Interest on the SmartyGrants platform. The form will request general details about the project, including its objectives, location, thematic areas and costs. Shortlisted organisations will be notified through the platform and official channels and will proceed to a second stage, during which they must complete a more comprehensive and detailed application through the same platform. Individual feedback on projects cannot be provided at this stage.

For both forms, the information, budget and proposed activities must be clearly defined, and the intended outcomes or objectives must be properly detailed.

At the second stage, the organisation must provide documentation including:

• Quotations for the components to be financed with DAP funds, as reflected in the project budget.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• The organisation’s articles of incorporation or equivalent founding document, including the relevant pages covering its legal name, purpose, registered address, assets clause, powers and other relevant provisions; minutes of the relevant meeting and powers of attorney, or another legal document demonstrating legal representation; and documentation confirming the organisation’s tax registration in the relevant country.
• The organisation’s bank account details must match the legal documentation described above. Applications will not be accepted where the banking information does not correspond with the organisation’s legal documentation.
• Child protection policies where the project involves work with children or adolescents.
• Plans and feasibility studies where construction work is involved.
• Quotations and letters of recommendation must be recent and include the contact details of the suppliers or referees.

All successful applicants will receive a notification at the email address used to register on SmartyGrants and may check the status of their application through the same platform. Applicants are responsible for monitoring these communication channels after the funding round closes. All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, will be notified of the outcome by email. If your project number appears on the published lists and you have not received a notification, please contact [email protected].

For further information, please follow our official communication channels, including this website, Instagram, Facebook and X (@AuEmbMex).

 

Program guidelines

Who can apply?

Projects must be submitted to the Australian Embassy in Mexico by non-government organisations (NGOs), cooperatives, civil society organisations, academic institutions and research institutions that are committed to the development of Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama or the Dominican Republic, and are duly constituted under the laws of the relevant country. Under DAP guidelines, funding cannot be provided to businesses, individuals or governments.

Priority areas for the 2026–2027 funding round

The Embassy will accept projects addressing any thematic area. However, particular consideration will be given to projects focused on:

• First Nations rights

• Gender equality

• Bridging the digital divide

• Climate, weather and early warning systems

• Ocean and marine ecosystems

• Health and biosecurity systems

• Protection of humanitarian workers

• Conflict prevention

Projects may take a broad interpretation of these priority themes, including where these themes intersect with other areas such as direct humanitarian assistance, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, education or capacity building, economic empowerment, LGBTIQ+ rights, disappearances, freedom of expression or migration, among others. For all countries, the Embassy will additionally consider bilateral priorities.

All projects must align with Australia’s priorities and interests.

All DAP projects must have a development focus and directly support people experiencing poverty or disadvantage.

Projects should promote self-reliance and the economic development of beneficiary communities. Proposals will be assessed on their individual merits and their alignment with DAP’s overall objectives. The DAP Committee will view favourably projects that align with the specified priority areas. Projects must be implemented and completed within no more than one year after the approved funds are provided.

What funding amounts are available?

Funding of up to AUD 20,000 (twenty thousand Australian dollars) may be provided per project.

However, in exceptional circumstances, each project will be assessed individually and projects seeking slightly more than the stated amount may be approved. The absolute funding limit for a project is AUD 60,000. The DAP Committee will give favourable consideration to proposals requesting funding within the first range stated above.

What cannot be funded through the program?

As a rule, the following activities and costs cannot be funded:

• Salaries.

• Conferences in Australia.

• Grant programs administered by other governments or organisations.

• Microcredit schemes or any other project involving repayment of the funds.

• Study tours within the country or overseas, or international travel undertaken as part of the project.

• The purchase of vehicles. However, medical and/or emergency vehicles, or agricultural vehicles, may be considered where they are essential to project implementation.

• Recurring administrative expenses such as office rent, utilities, salaries, water, electricity, telephone, gas, office supplies, internet, maintenance, the purchase of computers, televisions, vehicles, printers, digital equipment, refrigerators, equipment insurance, or other goods that are not essential to the project or are particularly vulnerable to theft, misuse or damage.

• Projects assessed as contrary to Australia’s interests.

• Catering services and promotional activities related to DAP.

• Sporting tournaments or cultural showcases that do not have a clear development objective.

• Cosmetic works in public squares and other public buildings.

• Commercial operations.

• Projects providing direct assistance to governments.

The Committee will assess the security context in project implementation locations and consider any necessary measures where a project may be visited by Embassy personnel.

Limited costs

• Administrative expenses directly related to the project are capped at 10% of the total budget. Under no circumstances may this include salaries.

• Up to 50% of the total budget may be used to engage external service providers where their work is directly related to training or the direct delivery of services to beneficiaries. This includes stipends, for example for psychosocial support, legal assistance or workshop facilitation, provided these payments are not salaries.

• Local transport and travel allowance costs in areas near the project implementation location are capped at 10% of the total budget.

• All expenditure must be supported by legitimate invoices or receipts issued in the name of the organisation.

Cuba and Nicaragua

Only projects from organisations that can receive and administer funds outside these countries may be selected, either through intermediary organisations and/or international organisations. Projects benefiting nationals of these countries and implemented in another country will also be considered, preferably in Central America, the Dominican Republic or Mexico.

If you have a question that is not addressed in these documents, please contact:

[email protected]

 

 

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