WHAT IS THE DIRECT AID PROGRAM (DAP)?
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program funded from Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. It provides funding for locally led projects that deliver practical and tangible development outcomes in ODA-eligible countries consistent with Australia’s development priorities.
The DAP provides funding to community and grass-roots development projects which provide direct, immediate, tangible and high-impact outcomes for beneficiary communities.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Funding is available on a not-for-profit basis to community groups, non-government organisations and other organisations engaging in development activities in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
During the 2026-2027 Australian financial year, the Embassy will invite applications for consideration for DAP funding from 9:00am on 22 June 2026 to 12:00am (midnight) on 13 July 2026, Central African Time (CAT).
Organisations are welcome to submit their applications online via the following link (only accessible within the application window):
For English application forms: https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Harare2026-2027_English
Pour le formulaire en Français: https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/Harare2026-2027_French
Organisations will not be able to access or submit their online application forms before 22 June 2026 or after 13 July 2026.
Please do not email/post unsolicited applications outside of the DAP application platform.
For comprehensive information on the application process and eligibility, please refer to the DAP Guidelines via the following links:
Applications that are incompatible with the DAP Guidelines will not be considered for funding.
The DAP application process is highly competitive, and the Embassy is only able to fund a small portion of applications received each year.
Should you experience technical difficulties in accessing the online application form during the application round or if you have any questions on the DAP, please email [email protected]
Important note: DAP guidelines and application requirements can change from year-to-year. Please do not rely on information that does not appear on this website or that you did not receive directly from the Embassy recently regarding the application round for year 2026-2027.