Applications are now open for the 2025-26 Maitri Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships, which aim to deepen Australia’s relationship with India by supporting initiatives across education, culture, policy and business.
The Centre for Australia-India Relations has confirmed that since its establishment, its flagship Maitri programmes have supported 71 projects to date. The Maitri Grant Program backs innovative projects that strengthen bilateral ties and directly support the implementation of A New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India. The Scholarships programme helps high-performing Indian scholars undertake STEM-related study at Australian universities, and the Fellowships programme enables Australian organisations to host academics (either Australian or Indian) to conduct research in areas of shared interest.
Applications for the Maitri Grants are open to Australian organisations such as universities, think tanks, cultural institutions and industry bodies. Projects should promote people-to-people links and build long-term collaboration. The Maitri Scholarships are open to Indian nationals pursuing higher education in STEM in Australia, while the Maitri Fellowships support academic exchanges and joint research between the two countries.
Further details, including eligibility criteria, guidelines and application portals, are available on the Centre for Australia-India Relations website: Our Programs.
The grants align with the government’s New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India, which highlights opportunities in clean energy, education, agribusiness, technology and tourism, alongside emerging sectors such as defence industries, sports, space and culture (DFAT Roadmap).
Australia regards the relationship with India as increasingly strategic, seeing shared interests in economic growth, innovation and regional stability.
“Building our India business literacy, deepening cultural connections, promoting policy dialogue, and engaging Indian diaspora communities through Maitri is important for Australia’s future prosperity,” the Centre said.
