Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally

2026-27 Maitri Fellowships Program

Fill Out
Now
This is a preview of the 2026-27 Maitri Fellowships Program Application Form form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

2026-27 Maitri Fellowships Grant Program

About the Program

The Maitri Fellowships Program will fund Australian Organisations, preferably with experience in the Australia-India bilateral relationship, to engage a Fellow to work on geostrategic or geoeconomic policy issues.

Funding will be provided under the below streams: 

  1. Inward Fellowship up to 2 years for Indian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows (experience equivalent to Levels B to D) to come to Australia 
  2. Outward Fellowship up to 2 years for Australian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows (experience equivalent to Levels B to D) to go to India 
  3. Two-way Fellowship up to 2 years for an Australian and Indian Fellow in an exchange arrangement through their respective Australian and Indian Organisations. 

The minimum period for Inward, Outward, and Two-way Fellowships is six months.

All Maitri Fellows will join a Fellowship community, managed by the Centre, to promote the program, engage with media, and continue to develop knowledge of and professional links with Australia including the Indian diaspora community. 

The Maitri Fellowships Program objectives are:

  • deepen mutual understanding between Australia and India, including on each country’s strategic context and options, and on other issues of national and bilateral significance,
  • promote mature policy dialogue and public discourse on contemporary India by elevating research and policy discussion on Australia-India matters,
  • enhance Australia and India’s cooperation, networking and cultural connections through research academics and institutions, and
  • generate research collaboration and foster innovative thinking that can inform Government policy development.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

  • greater coverage of Australian and Indian perspectives in each other’s mainstream media and policy communities,
  • more informed public debate and community views about both countries and the relationship, and
  • a wider range of ideas and policy options on significant issues facing both countries.

___________________________

We wish you well with your application.

The Maitri Fellowships Program Team
Centre for Australia-India Relations