Australian High Commission in Rarotonga Community Grants 2025-26

The Australia-Cook Islands Community Grants Program (ACCGP) is a flexible, small grants program funded by the Australian Government, available to non-government organisations, community groups and others to respond to community priorities across a wide range of sectors. The program cannot support private businesses. 

The Australian High Commission in Rarotonga administers the Community Grants 2025-26 (ACG25) round. The objective of ACG25 is to support a range of small-scale activities and projects, that meet the needs and priorities of the Cook Island communities in which they are delivered, with a direct, practical and immediate impact.

Favourable consideration will be given to applications that:

• involve applicants and/or communities contributing through labour, materials, transport or cash;
• pursue interesting approaches, projects and partnerships;
• are achievable and have sustainable outcomes; and/or
• provide educational or occupational skills training and have a clear plan for measuring the success of training.

For the grant opportunity ACG25, up to AUD100,000 is available in FY2025-26. The maximum grant amount is AUD15,000 per applicant.  The ACG25 application round is open from 4 February 2026 to 4 March 2026. Late applications cannot be accepted. Detail information for the ACG25 opportunity is in the Guidelines listed on GrantConnect.

You must read these guidelines before filling out an application. This document sets out:

• the purpose of the grant opportunity;
• the eligibility and assessment criteria;
• how grants applications are considered and selected;
• how grantees are notified and receive grant payments;
• how grantees will be monitored and evaluated: and
• the responsibilities and expectations in relation to the opportunity.

This grant opportunity and process is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade according to the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles (CGRPs).

Questions: Please contact the Office Manager at the Australian High Commission in Rarotonga by phone +682 22223 or by email, ahcrarotonga@dfat.gov.au for any questions.

Please complete the following 'Confirmation of Eligibility' questions before commencing this application form to ensure you do not spend time applying for an unsuitable grant. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

Please ensure you have read the grant guidelines prior to answering these questions.

Confirmation of Eligibility

I confirm that I (the applicant):

• have read and understand the relevant Grant Opportunity Guidelines available on GrantConnect.
• am able to demonstrate alignment between the purpose of this grant application and the objectives of the ACCGP.
• am able to address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria as outlined in the guidelines and attach the supporting documentation including a proposed timeline and an indicative budget with itemised expenses.
• all activities within this grant application will be located in Cook Islands.
• am one of the following:
  • a Cook Islands resident;
  • represent a Cook Islands-registered community organisation;
  • represent an entity with an existing partnership with a Cook Islands organisation;
  • represent a non-government organisation or a charitable trust operating in Cook Islands; or
  • represent another entity engaged in development activities in Cook Islands.
• do not represent an entity or any national, state, territory or local government agency or body (including government business enterprises), listed on the National Redress Scheme’s website under ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’.
• will ensure all personnel working on the grant activity to adhere to the:
  • DFAT Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy;
  • DFAT Environmental and Social Safeguard Policy; and
  • DFAT Child Protection Policy.
• have a bank account capable of receiving grant funding payments made in Australian dollars from Australia.
• will complete all proposed grant activity within 1 (one) year from the date of signing the grant agreement.
• will ensure that my application is complete and accurate and includes all supporting documents at the time of submission. I understand giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code 1995 and will result in my application being excluded from further consideration.