Cambodia has opened the first round of the Australia Cambodia Partnership for Climate Resilience (ACP4Climate) Grants, making up to US$1.5 million available for locally led demonstration and research projects focused on inclusive, climate-adaptive water management in targeted river basins across the country. The funding opportunity opened on October 5, 2026, with a briefing workshop scheduled for October 19 and applications due by 5:00 p.m. ICT on November 18, 2026.
Key Facts
Programme: ACP4Climate Grants Round 1
Funding available: Up to US$1.5 million
Opening date: October 5, 2026
Briefing workshop: October 19, 2026, 2:00–5:00 p.m. ICT
Application deadline: November 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ICT
Project focus: Climate-adaptive water management and integrated water resource management
Eligible applicants: International NGOs, local NGOs, academic institutions and research institutes legally registered to operate in Cambodia
Demonstration grants: Indicatively US$150,000–US$250,000, for up to 24 months
Research grants: Indicatively US$50,000–US$150,000, for up to 18 months
Programme funding: Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Implementing organisation: Tetra Tech International Development on behalf of the Australian Government.
Australia Opens First ACP4Climate Grant Round in Cambodia
The ACP4Climate Grants are designed to support the demonstration of inclusive, climate-adaptive water management practices in targeted river basins in Cambodia.
The grants form part of ACP4Climate, described in the official guidelines as a key component of the Australian Government's flagship climate investment in Cambodia. The programme is delivered in partnership with Cambodia's Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) and focuses on helping Cambodia adapt to climate change and reduce vulnerability through improved integrated water resource management and stronger community-based resilience.
The first grant round is being offered on a competitive basis, with projects assessed against defined technical, social inclusion, organisational and value-for-money criteria.
Up to US$1.5 Million Available
Round 1 will make up to US$1.5 million available to eligible projects.
The funding is divided into two broad categories:
| Project category | Indicative grant range | Maximum duration |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstration Projects | US$150,000–US$250,000 | Up to 24 months |
| Research Projects | US$50,000–US$150,000 | Up to 18 months |
The published ranges are guidance rather than fixed minimum or maximum commitments. The final grant amount will be determined case by case, based on the merits of each proposal, value for money, available funding and applicable approval processes.
ACP4Climate also encourages applicants to provide in-kind contributions or seek funding from other sources. Cash or in-kind co-contributions can demonstrate commitment to a proposed project and strengthen an application.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
The first category covers Demonstration Projects. These are intended to test, pilot, prove or scale an idea, model, programme or service under real-world conditions, particularly in inclusive water governance and integrated water resource management.
The second category covers Research Projects. These projects should generate, analyse, disseminate and apply credible evidence related to climate-adaptive water-resource management, governance, WASH, livelihoods or related resilience issues.
The guidelines also encourage partnerships with Australian universities for research projects.
Importantly, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) must be mainstreamed across all projects.
Four Outcomes the Grants Are Designed to Support
Applicants must demonstrate that their projects contribute to at least one of four ACP4Climate Grants outcomes.
The first focuses on strengthening inclusive water governance and integrated water resource management among water users and relevant actors, including community-based organisations, civil society organisations, the private sector and subnational authorities.
The second focuses on using evidence, knowledge, capabilities, systems and tested approaches to improve water-management decisions and planning in response to climate and disaster risks.
The third seeks to strengthen the role of communities and local actors in identifying, planning and implementing locally led water-management and climate-adaptation priorities.
The fourth focuses on increasing the participation, leadership and influence of women, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and other marginalised groups in water governance and climate adaptation.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is not open to individuals or every type of organisation.
Eligible applicants must be legally registered to operate in Cambodia and capable of entering into a grant agreement with Tetra Tech. The guidelines identify three eligible applicant categories:
International non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Academic institutions or research institutes
Applicants must also demonstrate adequate managerial, technical and institutional capacity, internal controls, financial accountability and good standing with Cambodian civil and fiscal authorities.
Government agencies and bodies, political parties, individuals and several categories of sanctioned or otherwise ineligible organisations are excluded from the programme.
What Can Grant Funding Cover?
The grant guidelines allow funding for a range of project-related activities.
Eligible expenditure can include personnel and specialist fees, community engagement, consultations, training, mentoring, research and surveys, field demonstrations, water-user association strengthening, inclusion and accessibility measures, monitoring and evaluation, communications, necessary equipment and project-related travel.
Administrative costs can account for up to 10% of the proposed project budget, provided those costs are reasonable, necessary, attributable to the funded project and included in the approved budget.
The funding cannot generally be used for major capital expenditure such as land, real estate, vehicles or major construction and capital works. Commercial or profit-subsidising activities, retrospective costs and costs associated with preparing the grant application are also excluded.
How Applications Will Be Assessed
The assessment framework places the greatest weight on the project's technical approach and methodology.
The official guidelines allocate:
| Assessment area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Approach and Methodology | 45% |
| Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) | 10% |
| Organisational Capacity, Past Performance and Risk Management | 20% |
| Budget and Value with Relevant Money | 25% |
Applicants therefore need more than a strong climate or water-management idea. Proposals must demonstrate how the project can be delivered, how results will be measured, how local resilience will be strengthened and how benefits can continue beyond the grant period.
Key Dates for Applicants
The official timetable provides several important dates for organisations considering an application.
The briefing workshop will take place on October 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ICT at the ACP4Climate office at Phnom Penh Centre.
Applicants have until October 26 at 5:00 p.m. ICT to submit questions about the grant round.
The final application deadline is November 18 at 5:00 p.m. ICT. Applications must be submitted in English by email using the prescribed application template.
ACP4Climate Grants Round 1 Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | October 5, 2026 |
| Briefing workshop | October 19, 2026 |
| Deadline for enquiries | October 26, 2026 |
| Applications close | November 18, 2026 |
| Assessment completed | By December 16, 2026* |
| Successful applicants notified | By December 23, 2026* |
| Grant agreement negotiations | By January 15, 2027* |
| Project commencement | January 22, 2027* |
*Indicative dates and subject to change.
What Applicants Need to Submit
Applicants must use the prescribed application template and provide supporting documentation.
The required supporting materials include a budget and budget notes, implementation plan, staffing plan, reference list and applicant certification.
Organisations applying as a consortium can also participate, but they must appoint a lead organisation responsible for submitting the application, entering into the grant agreement and managing the grant funding.
Why Climate-Resilient Water Management Matters?
Water management is increasingly connected to Cambodia's climate resilience, agriculture, livelihoods and local economic development.
ACP4Climate's broader programme seeks to strengthen national and subnational water planning, guide climate-resilient water investments and scale inclusive and innovative approaches to integrated water resource management.
The programme specifically identifies collaboration with government, the private sector and civil society as part of its approach, while emphasising meaningful participation by women, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and marginalised groups.
For local organisations and research institutions, the grant round therefore provides an opportunity to connect practical projects and evidence-based research with Cambodia's wider efforts to strengthen water governance and climate resilience.
How to Apply for ACP4Climate Grants
The official ACP4Climate announcement provides the full Call for Applications and Guidelines, technical application form, budget application form and draft grant agreement.
View the official ACP4Climate Grants Round 1 application information
Applications must be submitted in English to ACP4ClimateGrants@tetratech.com by the November 18 deadline. The official guidelines state that applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.
Applicants should review the full guidelines before preparing their proposals, particularly the eligibility requirements, eligible expenditure rules and assessment criteria.
Angkor Times Analysis
The first ACP4Climate Grants round is significant because it combines climate adaptation with practical water governance rather than focusing only on infrastructure. The programme places substantial emphasis on locally led approaches, evidence, community participation and the ability to demonstrate results that can potentially be expanded or replicated.
The funding structure also creates room for different types of organisations and projects. Demonstration projects can receive larger grants over longer periods, while research projects provide a smaller funding pathway for generating evidence and actionable knowledge.
For prospective applicants, the strongest proposals are likely to be those that clearly connect a locally relevant water or climate challenge with measurable outcomes, realistic implementation capacity and meaningful inclusion. However, the final funding decision will depend on the formal assessment and approval process described in the grant guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACP4Climate Grants Program?
ACP4Climate Grants are funding opportunities under the Australia Cambodia Partnership for Climate Resilience, supporting inclusive and climate-adaptive water management in targeted Cambodian river basins.
How much funding is available in Round 1?
Up to US$1.5 million is available across eligible projects.
How much can an individual project receive?
Demonstration projects have an indicative range of US$150,000 to US$250,000, while research projects have an indicative range of US$50,000 to US$150,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include legally registered international NGOs, local NGOs, academic institutions and research institutes operating in Cambodia.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ICT on November 18, 2026.
When is the ACP4Climate briefing workshop?
The briefing workshop is scheduled for October 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ICT in Phnom Penh.
Can businesses apply directly?
The Round 1 guidelines list INGOs, local NGOs, academic institutions and research institutes as eligible applicants. The guidelines do recognise the private sector as a relevant partner in ACP4Climate's broader work, but a private company is not listed as a standalone eligible applicant category for Round 1.
Can organisations apply as a consortium?
Yes. Joint applications are permitted, but a lead organisation must be appointed to submit the application and manage the grant if successful.