Free Trade Agreement Market Entry Grant
This Grant program forms the second phase of FTA grants work, aligning with
the Government’s existing FTA advocacy and outreach objectives. The first
phase, which focused on delivering technical training to small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was conducted under the Free Trade
Agreement Training Provider (FTA-TP) Grant — no further FTA-TP rounds will
be conducted.
The Free Trade Agreement Market Entry (FTA-ME) Grant will assist eligible
organisations deliver market entry strategies aimed at helping Australian
SMEs and stakeholders access FTA target markets with confidence. Eligible
markets under the FTA-ME Grant include China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru. The grant is
open to the following type of organisations:
- Member-based business organisations located in Australia such as chambers
of commerce and industry, bilateral business councils and chambers or peak
industry/business associations
- Universities and their associated Institutes and TAFE Colleges.
Individual companies cannot apply.
The program is competitive and merit based.
Objective and goals of the Grant
The objective of the FTA-ME Grant is to generate market entry strategies
for Australian SME businesses that lead to opportunities which increase
utilisation of FTAs in eligible markets. The grants are designed to deliver
business strategies which both educate and increase the potential for
tangible outcomes by SMEs in FTA markets. Eligible Australian business
organisations, based in Australia, will be supported to deliver:
- Market entry strategies highlighting targeted business opportunities in
conjunction with in-market activities to strengthen and increase FTA
outcomes.
The key goals of the FTA-ME Grant are to leverage the capability of
Australian member-based business organisations to:
- Develop and deliver market entry strategies for SMEs, underpinned by
expert advice that targets FTA market entry, fosters greater in-market
business development and partnerships and identifies opportunities in the
target markets.
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Ensure adequate information and knowledge-based training is available to
support Australian businesses understand sound market entry strategies and
opportunities in FTA target markets.
Building greater awareness of FTA benefits, particularly in the SME sector,
increasing access and utilising opportunities is expected to have a
positive impact on the broader economy and particularly on regional
Australia. Where relevant, the knowledge gained from delivery of
initiatives in this program will be shared by Austrade with Australian
business and stakeholders to ensure maximum awareness and utilisation of
FTA benefits.
FTA-ME Grants are intended to provide partial funding to eligible
Australian member-based business organisations with projects and business
activities aimed at achieving the objective and goals of the FTA-ME Grant
program.
Grant Rounds
All funding from the 2018-19 grant round has been allocated. A schedule of
future grant rounds is not available at this time.
Guidelines
The Guidelines (PDF, 421KB) provide applicants with key program details and
inform decision makers regarding their organisation's suitability in
relation to eligibility. The Guidelines also outline the information
organisations need to include in an application.
These Guidelines are divided into five sections
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Section 1 provides an overview of the FTA-ME Grant
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Section 2 provides details on eligibility, merit criteria and the
selection process
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Section 3 provides guidance on what constitutes eligible expenditure
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Section 4 outlines other requirements relating to grants
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Section 5 provides information on submitting grant applications
Grant information package
The full package of information for the FTA-ME Grant can also be viewed at GrantConnect. The package includes the following:
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Goals and objectives of the FTA-ME Grant program
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2018-19 FTA-ME Grant Guidelines
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FTA-ME Draft Funding Agreement
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Frequently asked questions
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A copy of the 2018-19 FTA-ME Grant brochure
Further information on the FTA-ME Grant
For FTA-ME Grant enquiries please email fta-me@austrade.gov.au or phone 1300 136 014.
Grant Recipients — FTA Programs
Details of grants awarded under previous FTA Grant rounds are provided below: