Direct Aid Program
The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants program run directly by the Australian High Commission, Accra. The program aims to support locally led projects that focus that contribute to inclusive, sustainable development and poverty reduction in communities.
DAP is a key part of the High Commission’s work in our nine countries of accreditation and complements Australia’s contributions to larger development initiatives in the region.
The 2026-27 DAP is open to applicants from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Funding is allocated on a competitive basis.
In 2026-27, the Direct Aid Program will focus on the following thematic areas:
- Gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment.
- Environment and climate action
- Human rights promotion and inclusion (including the rights of the child and people with disability)
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Education
Applications for the 2026-27 DAP are by invitation only.
Applicants include community groups, NGOs and other not-for-profit entities engaged in development activities in countries that are eligible for official development assistance (ODA).
Australia Awards
The Australia Awards program provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries.
If you are interested in applying to study on an Australia Awards scholarship, visit the Australia Awards Africa website: www.australiaawardsafrica.org
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an agency of the Australian Government that brokers and supports collaborative international research partnerships to improve livelihoods. Australian agricultural science has expertise directly relevant to the African context.
Our support to Africa fills a niche not addressed by many donor organisations; agricultural research-for-development. The focus is aimed at reducing poverty and increasing food security through an agriculture-led integrated framework of development.
Africa-Australia Partnership
The Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture is a six-year, A$76.4 million initiative co-funded by ACIAR and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This partnership is designed to strengthen the climate resilience of African farming systems and support food security by fostering collaborative research and capacity development between African and Australian institutions.
The Africa–Australia Partnership aims to ensure farming communities across Africa are climate responsive, resulting in improved food security and economic growth.
Partnerships between African and Australian research institutions build the capacity of scientists and institutions to facilitate agriculture-led development, while fostering trust and collaboration between Africa and Australia.
More information here.
Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)
The ANCP is a unique Australian development program. It is a partnership between the Australian Government and highly effective Australian Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). For over 50 years, this partnership has supported projects in a range of sectors including education, health, water and sanitation, food security and civil society strengthening.
Each year, the ANCP supports over 55 Australian NGOs and over 2,000 local partners to deliver around 400 projects in around 50 countries.
ANCP NGOs must pass a rigorous accreditation process that assesses their organisational structure, philosophies, policies and practices. The list of Australian accredited NGOs is available here.
More information here.