Australian Embassy
Majuro, Marshall Islands

Development Cooperation and Grants

Development Cooperation and Grants

Australia and the Marshall Islands work together on a range of development issues, including bilaterally, regionally such as through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and globally. We focus particularly on climate change and disaster resilience,  women’s empowerment and youth engagement.

More information can be found at Australia-RMI Development Cooperation and Pacific Regional Programs.

Australian Volunteers

The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) Program matches a broad range of skilled Australians with partner organisations in the Indo-Pacific region, to support them to achieve their own development goals. We are excited to announce the return of in-country volunteers, following a pause during COVID-19.

More information, including eligibility criteria and how your organisation can apply for a grantAPAPAapaiapai can be found on the Australian Volunteers website.

Placements are underway for 2023 - RMI government agencies, NGOs and other organisations interested in organising a volunteer can contact [email protected].

Small grants with the Direct Aid Program


The Australian Embassy Majuro is pleased to announced the Direct Aid Program (DAP) is currently closed for applications.  Stay tuned for the next round opening in Q3 2023.

The DAP is a small grants program funded by the Australian Government through overseas posts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

DAP supports local development projects of up to USD $20,000 that have a strong community focus, improve living conditions, support sustainability, empower women, and generate economic activities.  Please see below email for detailed information on the application process and DAP program requirements.

DAP projects should:
- Be strongly focussed on local or national development
- Have the same aims as Australia's aid activities
- Have real, sustainable and practical development outcomes for the community
- Have clearly described goals, intended results and overall outcomes
- Require a maximum DAP contribution of USD 20,000.
- Have a community focus, with a target audience or ‘beneficiaries’ in mind
- Have financial or in-kind contributions from the applicant organisation or government
- Have less than 15% expenditure for catering or other short-term procurement

Projects will be approved on the basis of whether:
- The development benefits of the proposal
- The goals and outcomes can be achieved sustainably
- The project can actually be implemented as described
- The project is in line with DAP objectives

 The Embassy will also give positive consideration to projects that:
- Help build relationships within RMI, such as between government, community and private sector partners, and even within Micronesian or Pacific States
- Pursue innovative approaches that leverage the budget to its maximum potential

New Colombo Plan

Australia’s New Colombo Plan aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. There are also options for mentorships, practicums and research. Remote volunteering is available during COVID-19.

More information can be found at the New Colombo Plan website.