Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

Tunisia Direct Aid Program 2025-2026

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 12:00PM 18 September 2025 (CEST).

IMPORTANT: Please read information below to assist you in completing your application online.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Australian Government Direct Aid Program (DAP) provides financial assistance to eligible groups or organisations undertaking suitable small-scale development projects. This program plays an important role in supporting local community efforts towards economic empowerment, social welfare improvement and sustainable development and is an integral component of Australia's overseas development program. It is managed by the Australian Embassy to Tunisia, which is located in Malta. Applications are now open. 

Application deadline: 18 September 2025, 12:00 CET.

Please note the following information:

  • Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of AUD 15,000 and may be distributed in tranches. Exact amount in TND may vary due to currency fluctuation.
  • Applications must be submitted in English with the budget in AUD (Australian Dollars).
  • We will aim to notify successful applicants within 8-10 weeks from the closing date of the grant round.

What sort of projects do we fund?

We welcome high quality applications that will support development and strengthen communities in Tunisia across all sectors. While we always seek a diversity of projects, this year we are especially looking for projects that will support development through:

  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment
  • Community health
  • Environment/climate change
  • Community development

Projects must have defined, realistic objectives and clear outcomes. Regardless of the type of project, all applications should clearly define who will be involved, and who will benefit or be impacted by the project (for example the project could be aimed at improving access to health services for women or providing skills and training for disadvantaged young adults).

Projects must run for no longer than 12 months and should be self-sustainable beyond the term of the grant, or completed by the end of the project duration. DAP funds cannot be used to fund recurrent or ongoing costs, such as staff salaries, rental or utility costs. 

Further information on the Australian Government Direct Aid Program can be found here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/direct-aid-program/direct-aid-program

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Welcome to the Direct Aid Program online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

You may begin anywhere in this application form. Please ensure you save as you go.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on +356 2133 8201 during business hours or email malta.hc@dfat.gov.au and quote your submission number.

Click here Direct Aid Program | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to view the guidelines.

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM

On every screen (page of the form) you will find a Form Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION

If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and close' and log out. When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.

Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.

Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.

When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.

Hint: also check the email hasn't landed in your spam or junk email folder.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.

You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.