Maitri Fellowships
The Maitri Fellowships program supports leading policy researchers to undertake secondments with prominent Australian and Indian thinktanks.
The program will build institutional links and academic capacity in both countries, and enhance public discourse on our bilateral, economic and broader geostrategic relationships.
Building
institutional links
Promoting
public discourse
The 2024-25 Maitri Fellowships Program will fund Australian think tanks with experience in the Australia-India bilateral relationship to engage a Fellow to work on geostrategic or geoeconomic policy issues under the following streams:
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Inward Fellowships up to 12 months for Indian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows to come to Australia.
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Outward Fellowships up to 12 months for Australian Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows, Associate Professors or Principal Research Fellows to go to India.
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Two-way Fellowships up to 2 years for an Australian and Indian Fellow to collaborate in a research exchange through their respective Australian and Indian think tanks.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications can only be submitted by Australian think tanks with relevant experience working on the Australia-India bilateral relationship.
Applicant organisations need to be able to meet the requirements of DFAT’s due diligence process, including:
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ABN registration with a business or other recognised registration/accreditation body
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Not listed on sanctions lists, including those published by the Australian Government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or the Inter-American Development Bank.
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Other background criminal and reputational checks.
Fellows can be inbound or outbound, each with specific eligibility criteria.
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Inbound fellows will need to be Indian citizens without permanent residence in Australia. Fellows should also be able to participate in events and functions organised by the Centre, DFAT, or the Australian research organisation. For a full list of eligibility criteria refer to ‘Section 3 Eligibility Criteria’ in the Grant Guidelines
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Inbound fellows will need to maintain a valid Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Research Stream for the duration of the fellowship in Australia.
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Outbound fellows will need to be Australian citizens and not have permanent residence in India. They should be able to participate in events and functions organised by the Centre, DFAT, or the Australian research organisation.
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Outbound fellows will need to maintain a valid visa for the duration of the fellowship in India.
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Please note the Centre is unable to support or provide advice on the visa process, including fast tracking visa applications or providing letters of support.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The dates below are indicative only and subject to change.
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25 September 2024: Applications open
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25 November 2024: Deadline for submission of applications at 5:00pm AEDT.
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January/February 2025: Successful proposals are selected and proceed to due diligence and contracting.
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May 2025: Implementation begins
APPLY
Ready to get started? Follows these steps to apply:
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Create a profile on SmartyGrants (and access the Grant Guidelines)
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Click 'create' a new application.
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Follow the steps provided no later than 5:00pm AEDT on 25 November 2024.
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Applicants will be notified of the outcomes from February 2025.
Note: All application data will be kept in the strictest confidence. All Centre/DFAT officers that review applications are bounded by confidentiality/ non-disclosure arrangements.
Email us at MaitriScholars@dfat.gov.au with any questions.
INFORMATION SESSION
If you have any questions or would like to know more about the application process and grant program join us for a virtual information and Q&A session on Tuesday 22 October 2:00 - 2:30pm AEDT.
Register to attend the session here: Maitri Scholarships and Fellowships information session
MAITRI FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
View the inaugural fellowship cohort:
2023-24 Maitri Fellows Recipients
The previous Maitri Fellowships program has merged with the Maitri Scholars Program in a combined 2024-25 Maitri Scholarships and Fellowships round.
CONTACT US
Maitri Fellowships