Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO1932

The Free Trade Agreement Market Entry (FTA-ME) Grant program forms the second phase of FTA grants work, aligning with the Australian Government's existing advocacy and outreach objectives.

The first phase, which focused on delivering technical training to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was conducted under the FTA Training Provider (FTA-TP) Grant — no further FTA-TP rounds will be conducted.

The FTA-ME Grant will assist eligible organisations deliver market entry strategies aimed at helping Australian SMEs and stakeholders access FTA target markets. Eligible target markets include Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Eligible organisations include:

• member-based business organisations located in Australia such as chambers of commerce and industry, bilateral business councils and chambers, and peak industry/business associations
• universities and their associated institutes, and TAFE colleges.

Individual organisations are not eligible to apply.

The FTA-ME Grant is a competitive and merit based program.

Applications under the FTA-ME Grant will be assessed against the eligibility criteria outlined in the FTA-ME Grant Guidelines. Eligible organisations must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be operating in Australia as a registered Australian member-based business organisation, or registered Australian education institution
• have been constituted as a legal entity for at least 12 months prior to 1 October 2018
• maintain to the Delegate's satisfaction, appropriate business ethics and commitment to legal obligations including anti-bribery laws, both in Australia and in overseas markets.

Funding recipients are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all FTA information delivered to members and stakeholders as part of their funded grant project.

Recipients are also responsible for obtaining and maintaining any insurance necessary or prudent for undertaking the proposed activity, and able to provide the FTA-ME Secretariat with evidence of these policies promptly on request, as required by the Funding Agreement.

Grants will not be provided to organisations that have failed to provide proper acquittal of a previous grant provided by Austrade. Applicants who fail Austrade's 'net benefits' and 'best interests of Australian trade' tests will also not be eligible.

Guidelines released — 16 November 2018

Applications open — 19 November 2018

Information Sessions — 19-27 November 2018

Applications close — 16 January 2019

Successful applicants expected to be announced — 19 March 2019

$750,000.00

From $20,000.00 to $80,000.00

Applications must be complete and submitted using the online application form by 6:00pm (AEDT), 16 January 2019.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Austrade will acknowledge receipt of all applications.