Australia-Japan Foundation Grant: Sport and Culture Focus

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Image Credit: Shutterstock - Aritra Deb

The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) grant has recently opened for applications across the country, with a key focus on sport for the 2025 round.

The AJF is a part of the International Relations Grant Program, designed to foster better relations with and a greater understanding of foreign nations via people-to-people links across borders.

In particular the AJF aims to:

  • Increase awareness and comprehension in Japan of shared interests with Australia.
  • Increase awareness and comprehension in Australia of Japan’s importance to Australia as an economic and strategic ally.
  • Increase awareness in Japan of Australia’s expertise and excellence.

As a grant designed for to connect Australian and Japanese people across a wide array of backgrounds, the AJF has highlighted a number of key priorities for 2025. These include:

  • Sport
  • Society and culture
  • Economic diplomacy and geopolitics
  • Education and Australian studies
  • Scientific development and innovation
  • Communication
  • Advocacy

The AJF also endorses the recognition of three values in candidates’ application.

  • Gender equality
  • Recognition and inclusion of First Nations people
  • Recognition and inclusion of diversity

Previous grant recipients under the sporting category include:

  • Japan Wheelchair Rugby Foundation
  • Australian Blind Football
  • Adelaide Giants Baseball Pty Ltd
  • Judo Federation of Australia Limited
  • AFL Japan
  • Sport Inclusion Australia
  • Queensland Rugby Union Limited

Grant Details

Across the 2025-26 period, a total of $780,000 AUD is being offered by the AJF.

Grants are divided into two categories – single year projects and multi-year projects. Projects must begin within the 2025-26 financial year and be completed by the designated end date in the grant agreement.

Grant applications for a period of one year range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000.

In special circumstances, a one-year grant of $80,000 or multi-year grants of $50,000 a year for three years may be accepted.

However, the AJF stipulates that projects should not be solely funded by a grant and candidates with other backers will boost the application. Furthermore, successful grant recipients may be offered less money than they applied for.

Grant Eligibility

Potential applicants must:

  • Have an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN)
  • Be an Australian consortium with a lead organisation
  • Be an Australian registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
  • Be an Australian local government body
  • Be an Australian State or Territory government body
  • Be a corporate commonwealth entity
  • Be an Australian statutory authority
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
  • Be a Japanese citizen or organisation

Applications that involve those under the age of 18 must also provide the project’s child protection guidelines which meet the DFAT Child Protection Policy.

Applicants will not be eligible for the grant if:

  • They are, or are partnered with, an organisation which is not part of the National Redress Scheme.
  • They are a previous applicant which has not provided an acceptable acquittal of a previous DFAT grant.

Applications for the grant close on May 6 2025 at 14:00 AEST.

For more information on the grants, click here.

To apply for the grants, click here.

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Female Referee Mentor Program backed by Football Australia

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Image credit: Football Australia

Football Australia (FA) launched the program last week, aiming to champion the next generation of female referees through connections with experienced officials.

Investing in the future

Backed with investment from the Australian Government’s ‘Play Our Way’ grant, FA’s Ref Our Game framework will pair future referees with current and former A-League officials.

Through one-on-one mentorship, development opportunities and a network of experienced professionals, aspiring female referees will have unique insights into match officiating.

“Football Australia has always been a leader in inclusion, setting a global standard for female leadership and development,” said Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway and creating a meaningful connections, increasing confidence and ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.”

Furthermore, with the launch coinciding with Female Football Week (running from May 8 to May 18), the program represents a wider drive in Australia’s football landscape to become inclusive and supportive.

 

About the program

Focused on future referees within the 18-26 age bracket, the program will give participants a deep understanding of match officiating and equip them with both confidence and expertise.

Each participant will benefit from six mentor sessions, which will include individual feedback, guidance and insights into the life of a referee in elite sport.

Combining leadership, communication and a real sense of belonging, the program promises to nurture new female referees and, as a result, ensure football remains a sport in which men and women can participate side-by-side.

“The Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it’s making a real difference,” explained Minister for Sport, Anika Wells.

“We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.”

Indeed, programs of this nature align ambition, professional networks, and a vision for improving the landscape.

This is what the industry needs to ensure long-term inclusivity and cohesion for the next generation.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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