The Embassy of France to Australia has launched a new grant initiative to encourage student exchanges and collaborative research between Australia and French Pacific territories, with submissions due by September 22, 2025. Up to AUD 50,000 will be allocated to a maximum of three projects aiming to build long-term educational partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- Grants open to academics in Australia and French Pacific territories (New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna, French Polynesia)
- Focus on PhD and post-doctorate level student exchanges
- Broad eligibility: All science, humanities, and social science disciplines
- Deadline for applications: September 22, 2025
- Projects must conclude by October 1, 2026
Grant Program Overview
The Australian-French Student Exchange Grants are designed to deepen ties between research communities in Australia and French territories in the Pacific. Projects should support medium- or long-term partnerships aligned with the official Franco-Australian roadmap, rather than stand-alone or one-off activities.
Eligible activities supported by the grant include, but are not limited to:
- Summer schools and workshops
- Language and cultural immersion programs
- Fieldwork and collaborative curriculum development
- Reciprocal exchanges of PhD and post-doc students
Application Criteria and Funding Details
Applicants must be researchers or higher education staff from eligible universities or research institutions based in Australia or one of the French Pacific territories. Every supported project should facilitate travel for students over 18 years old at the PhD or post-doctorate level.
Key eligibility details:
- Projects can involve travel in either direction: French Pacific students to Australia or vice versa
- Strong preference for projects that connect more than one Pacific partner
- All proposed initiatives must fit within broader university or academic strategic plans
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Applicant Type | University or research staff (Australia/French Pacific) |
| Project Scope | Collaborative, part of strategic partnership |
| Funding Pool | AUD 50,000 (up to three projects) |
| Eligible Expenses | Student travel costs (PhD, post-doc, 18+ only) |
| Completion Deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Reporting Requirements | Final report by November 1, 2026 |
Communication and Reporting Obligations
Successful recipients must acknowledge the Embassy’s support in all outreach about their project, whether via social media or printed materials. The Embassy may also collaborate with funded projects to create and distribute promotional content.
A final project report will be required from each grant coordinator, with additional encouragement to participate in wider promotion across official French Embassy channels.
Strategic Importance
This grant program highlights the commitment to fostering research and educational collaboration in the Pacific region. By focusing on long-term relationships, it aims to enhance innovation, intercultural engagement, and scientific understanding across Australia, New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna, and French Polynesia.
The initiative comes at a time when international academic ties are increasingly crucial for addressing global challenges, ensuring Pacific research communities are well-positioned for future success.
