Today I announce the recipients of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations 2025-26 grants round and new appointments to the Foundation’s Advisory Board.
This year, the Foundation will provide grants that support cooperation and engagement between the people of Australia and China. These projects contribute to the ongoing stabilisation of our bilateral relationship. They will support risk-informed engagement with China while strengthening our China capability at home and building meaningful engagement with Chinese-Australian communities.
The funded initiatives span a range of priorities, including:
- Advancing cooperation with China in the priority areas of climate change, steel decarbonisation and sustainable agriculture
- Expanding the scope and depth of dialogues by supporting new initiatives focused on foreign, economic and trade policy
- Building Australia’s long-term China capabilities, through programs that invest in China literacy, research and expertise
- Empowering Chinese-Australian communities, including through programs that foster civic understanding and leadership
- Supporting Chinese international students, recognising their importance to Australia’s education sector and long-term people-to-people ties
- Drawing on arts, culture and sport to build mutual understanding, promote Australia in China, and strengthen people-to-people ties.
There are three new appointments to the Advisory Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
I am pleased to appoint the Hon Mr Simon Birmingham, CEO of the Australian Banking Association; Mr Clinton Dines, Non-Executive Director and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University Asia Institute; and Dr Darren Lim, Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University, to the Advisory Board.
Together, they bring deep expertise spanning trade and foreign policy, business and research.
The Advisory Board helps guide the Foundation in its work to promote and coordinate enhanced cooperation between Australia and China, in support of Australia’s national interest.
I thank outgoing Advisory Board members Mr Douglas Gautier AM, Dr Wesa Chau and Mr Rowan Callick OBE for their valuable service and contributions.
Through these grants and appointments, the Foundation will continue to strengthen engagement with China in Australia’s interest. More information is available at: National Foundation for Australia-China Relations website.