Alumni Open Grant Scheme

The Australian Government is committed to partnering with Bangladesh in supporting the development priorities by placing a strong emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable, especially women and girls; people with disabilities and marginalised peoples and communities.

The grant aims to support innovative practices that align with the development priorities of Bangladesh and promote the practice of Gender equality, disability and social inclusion at the workplaces in public, private and NGO sectors.

The intended outcomes of the grant are:

  • Enabling alumni to test an innovative idea
  • To support initiatives by alumni promoting GEDSI practice
  • To establish Communities of Practice (COP) aligning with the priority area
  • To establish Communities of Practice (COP) across public, private and NGO sector
  • To host an event (workshop, seminar or conference) with a clearly articulated outcome aligning with one or more priorities areas
  • To conduct a capacity building activity with a marginalised group/community to improve their socio-economic wellbeing and/or livelihoods.

To be considered for this grant, applicants must:

  • Be an alumni of the Australian Government funded Australia Awards Scholarships, Australia Awards Fellowships, or Short Courses
  • Be a Bangladeshi citizen, residing in Bangladesh, and intending to use the grant in Bangladesh

Be applying to use the grant:

  • To try an innovative idea and approach on a small scale
  • To host a workshop, seminar or conference, with a clearly articulated outcome
  • To extend an existing project/intervention previously funded by the Australia Awards with a strong justification for further support
  • To establish a small ‘Community of Practice’ committed to a priority area
  • Agree to participate in training/orientation on – Fraud Management; Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Child Protection; and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) briefing prior to receiving the grant
  • Use and acquit the grant according to Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australia Awards Program guidelines.

The  grant amount that can be provided for each activity will range from AUD $3,000 – $5000 excluding VAT/TAX (depending on the activity).

Applicants must complete the application form and required attachments (see below) and submit them online by 20 January 2023.

All the relevant documents (application and attachments) need to be converted into a PDF file and upload it to the online application portal.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Please download the application and and other relevant documents from the section below.

Application & Recommendation Form- Individual

Application & Recommendation Form- Group

Attachment 1 – Risk Assessment

Attachment 2 – Certification

Attachment 3 – Scholar or Alumni Member Details

Attachment 4 – Budget Template

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Clear alignment with DFAT’s priority areas
  • Clear alignment with DFAT’s Gender Equality and women’s empowerment strategy and the Australia Awards GEDSI Approach and Action Plan 2021-22.
  • Clearly articulated outcomes
  • Plan to establish a small ‘Community of Practice’ in an identified sector
  • Budget that justifies the planned outcome and offers value
  • Clearly outlined outputs/deliverables and a timeline that is realistic and practical
  • Clear outline of how the proposed activity will ensure equal opportunity for people with disability; and/or reducing and/or removing barriers for people with disability, marginalised and disenfranchised groups
  • Have clearly identified the activity’s intended primary beneficiaries, providing estimates of numbers.
Date Milestone
16 December 2022 Call for grant proposals
20 January 2023 Deadline for submissions of grant proposals
02 February 2023 Announcement of results
06 February 2023 Sign grant agreement due
08 February 2023 Training on fraud control; GEDSI; PSEAH and child protection  
12 February 2023 Grant project implementation
14 April 2023 Grant progress/ interim report due
30 June 2023 Final report and acquittal submission

 

GEDSI Approach and Action Plan 2021-22

For further information, contact the Australia Awards office in Bangladesh:
+880 9611 699 934 or +8801730338495
alumni@australiaawardsbangladesh.org