Creative Australia’s International Engagement Fund supports Australian artists and creative workers to develop reciprocal projects with confirmed international partners. Eligible formats include creative collaboration, cultural and knowledge exchange, labs, and practice exchange.
Activities may be in person, online, or hybrid within the 15 January 2027–15 January 2029 support window. The emphasis is mutual participation and benefit, not one-way presentation or promotion.
Benefits & funding
- Grants range from A$5,000 to A$30,000.
- Eligible costs include creative fees, travel, accommodation, visas, production, project management, access and environmental-impact costs.
- Funded activities may last no more than two years from their proposed start.
- Recipients must accept a grant agreement, report spending and outcomes, and return unspent or unaccounted funds.
Eligibility
- Australian artists and creative workers outside contemporary music may apply; individuals must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Groups, organisations and small businesses may apply; international organisations must benefit practising Australian artists, work or audiences.
- A confirmed international partner, reciprocal exchange, defined arts component and response to at least one strategic priority are mandatory.
- Ineligible projects include feature film, television or documentary; applicants with overdue reports, debts, or disallowed National Performing Arts Partnership Framework links are barred.
- One application is allowed per closing date; the same activity cannot enter Arts Projects closing 1 September 2026.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Prepare the project summary, applicant profile, activity plan and timetable, intended outcomes, and itemised income-and-expense budget.
- 2Add relevant work samples, key-person biographies, and partner, participant or community support and permission letters.
- 3Register in the application system at least two business days early and submit by 3pm AEDT on 13 October 2026.
Program timeline
Application deadline
13 October 2026, 3pm AEDT
Decisions
January 2027
Supported activity window
15 January 2027–15 January 2029
Future closing date
16 March 2027, 3pm AEST