AUSTRADE
Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme .
The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industries.
Next EMDG round opening for applications in November 2024
The next EMDG round, Round 4, will open to applications on different dates for representative bodies and Tiers 1-3.
Those dates and times are:
– Representative bodies – AEDT 10am on 6 November 2024
– Tiers 1, 2 and 3 – AEDT 10am on 12 November 2024.
Applications will close in each tier when the funding is fully allocated. The EMDG portal and website will post updates about when applications will close.
In Round 4, successful applicants will be offered grant agreements for up to 2 financial years for planned expenditure to be incurred in 2025–26 to 2026–27.
EMDG changes
EMDG has changed following extensive reviews, analysis and stakeholder consultation.
They expect to offer approximately 1,900 grants in Round 4 in total across the tiers.
Maximum grant amounts are set at a meaningful level per grant tier and are outlined in the Grant Guidelines. Grant amounts will be known in advance.
Applications will be assessed and grants will be offered in the order they receive applications.
A grant round will close once the available funding is allocated to eligible applicants. This change, which is consistent with other commonwealth grant programs, means it is possible that not all applicants will receive funding.
Eligibility criteria has changed
Eligibility criteria for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has changed to better reflect characteristics of successful exporters.
Changes include:
1. minimum annual business turnover requirements per grant tier. These are:
Tier 1 – more than $100,000 per year
Tier 2 – more than $500,000 per year
Tier 3 – more than $1 million per year.
2. SMEs must show capacity to spend at least $20,000 on marketing and promotional activities per financial year. This must be exclusive of the grant amount. It must be the applicant’s own money and not come from another government grant.
3. grants in Tier 3 are designed to encourage more experienced exporters to target key markets and take on broader opportunities for market diversification. Austrade, with business input, has a list of 27 identified key markets for Tier 3 applicants.
Read more about other eligibility criteria requirements for businesses and representative bodies on the Austrade website.
Export readiness for Tier 1 applicants
If you are a business that is new to export and thinking of applying for EMDG Tier 1, you must prove your business is export ready.
Before you apply for a grant you must complete one or both of the following:
Austrade-recognised export training. There is a list of providers that offer export training on the Go Global Toolkit. Or the Export Readiness Test. There are 10 informative modules, followed by a short test. It takes around 30 minutes.
Read more about export readiness and Tier 1 eligibility on the Austrade website.
CREATIVE AUSTRALIA
Arts Projects For Individuals And Groups
Applications are currently closed.
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date.
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups/
Arts Projects – Organisations
Applications are currently closed.
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Organisations that undertake arts programs, projects or that provide services to artists are welcome to apply.
Organisations can propose a single project, a suite of projects or annual programs of activity.
Grants are available from $20,000 to $100,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date..
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/arts-projects-organisations/
MUSIC AUSTRALIA
International Performance And Touring Activity
Applications close: Tuesday 3 December 2024, 3pm AEDT
Activity must start between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2025, and be completed within 12 months
The International Performance and Touring fund (Category 1) is designed to support international touring and showcase activity, with matched funding of $5000 to $25,000.
What you can apply for:
A minimum of $5,000, up to a maximum of $25,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request.
The International Performance and Touring fund (Category 1) is designed to support activity that includes:
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- Headline tour, support tour, opening slot (or combination of all three)
- Festival or Biennale appearance/s
- Commissioned performance/s
- Official showcase performance
As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:
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- artist and creative worker fees
- flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
- travel insurance
- visas
- freight or baggage costs
- childcare, carer and access costs
- tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
- costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-performance-and-touring-activity/
International Professional And Artistic Development
Applications close: Tuesday 3 December 2024, 3pm AEDT
Activity must start between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2025, and be completed within 12 months
The International Professional and Artistic Development fund (Category 2) is designed to support international professional development activity with matched funding of $3000 to $15,000.
What you can apply for:
A minimum of $3,000, up to a maximum of $15,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request.
The International Professional and Artistic Development Fund (Category 2) is designed to support activity that includes:
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- Co-writing sessions
- Invitation to a songwriting camp
- Contribution towards overseas recording expenses such as tracking, mixing, mastering
- Engaging an international producer
- International residency or fellowship
- Attending an international trade fair, trade show, conference, forum
- Visa costs to work in overseas territories
As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:
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- artist and creative worker fees
- flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
- travel insurance
- visas
- freight or baggage costs
- childcare, carer and access costs
- tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
- costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-professional-and-artistic-development/
International Market And Audience Development
Applications close: Tuesday 3 December 2024, 3pm AEDT
Activity must start between 1 April 2025 and 30 June 2025, and be completed within 12 months
The International Market and Audience Development fund (Category 3) is designed to support activity that includes international promotional and content creation activities with matched funding of $2000 to $10,000.
What can you apply for:
A minimum of $2,000, up to a maximum of $10,000, whereby the recipient must demonstrate an investment of an equal or greater amount to the funding request.
The International Market and Audience Development fund (Category 3) is designed to support activity that includes:
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- International PR and promotional campaigns
- Implementing an international radio campaign
- Content Creation: music video clips, multiple reels, lyrics translations targeted towards international audiences
- Performance on an international TV talk show
- Attendance by a composer at the premiere of a commissioned composition
- Presenting lecture at an overseas academy, institute or university
As well as costs directly associated with the activity listed above, you may apply for all costs associated with completing your export activity. Eligible costs include but are not limited to:
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- artist and creative worker fees
- flights, accommodation, per diems, ground transport costs
- travel insurance
- visas
- freight or baggage costs
- childcare, carer and access costs
- tickets and/or registration costs to attend events
- costs associated with reducing the environmental impact of your activity.
More information: https://creative.gov.au/investment-and-development/international-market-and-audience-development/
ASSOCIATION OF ARTIST MANAGERS (AAM)
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Managers
2 new MAICC funding rounds have been announced for 2025:
ROUND 1, 2025: For conferences occurring in January, February or March 2025
ROUND 2, 2025: For conferences occurring in April, May or June 2025
The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Managers program.
Designed to ease the financial burden for selected managers who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected managers who represent artists with demonstrated potential in a specific international market, so the manager can undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip – and/or be present on-ground to maximise outcomes for their showcasing artists – at a major international music conference, during a critical moment in their artists’ international career.
WHEN DO APPLICATIONS OPEN AND CLOSE?
ROUND 1, 2025:
Applications open: Tuesday 10 September, 2024
Applications close: Thursday 24 October, 2024 at 3pm AEDT
ROUND 2, 2025:
Applications open: Tuesday 21 January, 2025
Applications close: Tuesday 18 February, 2025 at 3pm AEDT
More information: https://www.aam.org.au/maicc-2025
AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL ASSOCIATION (AIR)
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program
Applications are currently closed
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program.
Designed to ease the financial burden for selected Independent Labels and Distributors who are attending major international music conferences in 2024, ICC funding will financially support selected AIR Associate, Full and Australian Distributor members wanting to undertake professional development by attending an international trade conference and undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip.
More information: https://air.org.au/maicc/
AUSTRALIAN LIVE MUSIC BUSINESS COUNCIL (ALMBC)
Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Independent Labels and Distributors program
Applications are currently closed.
Next round opens 15 January 2025 and closes 20 February 2025
ALMBC in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Agents, Bookers & Programmers.
Supporting selected live music industry sole traders and small business operators who are attending major international music conferences in the 2024.25 financial year.
Funding will financially support selected professional music programmers, booking agents, festival bookers and venue bookers with demonstrated potential and connections in a specific international market.
More information: https://almbc.org.au/international/
THE IAN POTTER CULTURAL TRUST
Emerging Arts Grants
Next round opens Tuesday 12 November 2024 and closes Tuesday 14 January 2025.
Emerging Artist Grants of up to $15,000 are available to support emerging artists of all art forms to undertake professional development opportunities overseas.
Who We Support
Individual emerging and early-career artists across Australia, practising in all art forms and disciplines. The Trust supports artists working across traditional art forms and experimental mediums, from visual arts to community radio and design to literature.
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- Grants are only available to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia.
- Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age when they apply
What We Support
Structured professional development and networking opportunities, usually overseas. Such as:
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- Residencies
- Mentorships
- Study tours that have a clear skills development focus
- Private lessons
- Internships
- Conferences and workshops.
Please note that projects for which the sole purpose is an exhibition, performance, or making work (such as a recording or publication) are ineligible.
More information: https://www.ianpotterculturaltrust.org.au/opportunities/emerging-artist-grants/
AMERICAN AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION
APRA AMCOS Global Professional Development Award
This fund is currently closed. Next round opens 1 January 2025.
The American Australian Association, in partnership with APRA AMCOS, offers the Global Professional Development Award of US$10,000 to one emerging or mid-career Australian artist, songwriter, or producer to undertake career development in the United States. Career development includes, but is not limited to, recording/producing an album, writing and collaboration sessions, and travel costs associated with career development. This award is only open to APRA AMCOS members.
More information: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/specialty-field-scholarships/
Arts Scholarships and Grants
The Arts Fund provides support to Australian, Aboriginal Australian, Torres Strait Islander, American and Native American emerging or early career artists undertaking or planning to undertake artistic development in the country of the other. These scholarships and grants support artists in the fields of theatre, film, television, dance, music, visual arts, design, literature, photography and fashion.
Arts Fund Grants
Supports emerging or early career artists pursuing or planning to pursue artistic development in the Australia to USA and USA to Australia direction. These Grants will provide support of up to US $5,000 to artists in the fields of theatre, film, television, dance, music, visual arts, design, literature, photography and fashion.
Indigenous Scholarship
Provides support of up to US $10,000 to emerging Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander artists to study or undertake artistic development in each other’s countries respectively.
More information: https://americanaustralian.org/scholarships/arts-fund/
DFAT
The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP)
The 2024-25 ACDGP Round will open in the coming months.
The Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP) supports projects that promote Australia’s creative sector and First Nations identity to deepen bilateral partnerships and strengthen our reputation as a modern diverse nation internationally.
The objectives of the ACDGP are to:
- support the promotion of Australia’s creative sector internationally
- support collaborative and innovative projects that promote Australia as a modern, diverse nation and a source of creative excellence
- influence perceptions of Australia at home and abroad through building cultural understanding and connections
- build people-to-people and/or institutional links internationally
- support First Nations creative industries and seek opportunities to assist in embedding First Nations into our Foreign Policy
- align with ‘Revive’, Australia’s National Cultural Policy.
Available individual project funding ranges in size from $10,000 and is capped at $60,000 per annum. Multi-year grants of up to $60,000 per annum for a maximum of three years may be considered. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding support and partnerships with other areas of government, corporate sponsors and private partners.
More information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/public-diplomacy/acdgp/australian-cultural-diplomacy-grants-program
International Relations Grants Program
Over the past nearly 40 years the Australian Government has established cultural councils supporting people-to-people links underpinning our key bilateral and regional relationships. Eminent Australian business and community leaders are appointed to the boards, providing a range of expertise and input to Australia’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy goals. Funding for these Foundations, Councils and Institutes and for the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program is provided through the International Relations Grants Program.
The International Relations Grants Program (IRGP) supports the Government’s foreign policies and economic diplomacy interests and projects a positive contemporary image of Australia. IRGP grants support professional, community and institutional linkages between Australia and its partners on contemporary issues of shared interest including business, education, innovation, science, technology, the arts, media and sport.
Foundations, Councils and Institutes include:
- Australia-ASEAN Council
- National Foundation for Australia-China Relations
- Centre for Australia-India Relations
- Australia-Indonesia Institute
- Australia-Japan Foundation
- Australia-Korea Foundation
- Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)
- Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)
More information: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/Pages/foundations-councils-and-institutes
Photo: Peking Duk, India 2013 – Pic by Johnny Au.