The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) funds non-profit organisations based outside Taiwan to carry out projects that promote democracy and human rights. The next round of its International Grants Program closes on 15 December 2026, for projects starting from 1 April 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we read the foundation's official grants pages and set out the priorities, project types, funding rules and application steps below. This is a grant for organisations, and it is not part of Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps (ESC).
What the TFD International Grants Program Is
The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy describes itself as the first national democracy assistance foundation established in Asia, devoted to strengthening democracy and human rights in Taiwan and abroad. Its international grants program is designed to assist non-profit organisations based outside of Taiwan.
🏛️ Funder: Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
📍 Based in: Taiwan, supporting organisations outside Taiwan
🎯 Purpose: projects that promote democracy and human rights
📆 Open for: projects to be implemented in 2027
Not an Erasmus+ or ESC Programme: Please Read First
⚠️ Different programme: this grant is not funded or run under Erasmus+ or the European Solidarity Corps
🏢 For organisations: it is awarded to non-profit organisations, not to individuals
💳 Fees: the official pages we read list no application fee
Who Can Apply
🌐 International non-governmental organisations
🎓 Academic institutions
🧠 Think tanks and other related organisations
📍 Location rule: the applicant must be a non-profit organisation based outside of Taiwan
Strategic Priorities
🇹🇼 Taiwan's experience: projects that leverage Taiwan's experience in democracy and human rights development
🛡️ Challenges raised by China: projects that address the challenges to democracy and human rights raised by China, either internally or externally
🌏 East Asia: projects that strengthen democracy and human rights in East Asia, including both Northeast and Southeast Asia
Five Project Categories
📣 Advocacy projects: promoting democracy and human rights through developing effective, cooperative domestic and international networks at the civil society level
🔬 Research: in-depth, systematic, analytical and/or empirical studies in the democracy and human rights fields
🎤 Conferences: forums, seminars or workshops that engage experts and other interested parties on democracy and human rights issues
📚 Publications: books, articles, films and other print or visual media that advance democracy and human rights
🧑🏫 Educational programs: capacity-building and training programs that enhance knowledge of democratic and human rights systems
Funding Amounts
💵 Maximum: the Foundation is not permitted to award grants exceeding US$100,000
📊 Typical range: the majority of grants fall between US$3,000 and US$20,000
📐 Average: the average grant size is approximately US$5,000
🧩 Partial funding: the Foundation normally does not provide full funding for any particular project, so other sources of funding should also be sought and indicated on the application form
Application Rounds for 2027 Projects
The application should be submitted at least four months before the planned project start. An application may be submitted in an earlier round, but not a later one.
🥇 First round: earliest project start 1 January; deadline 15 August 2026; notification November 2026
🥈 Second round: earliest project start 1 April; deadline 15 December 2026; notification March 2027
🥉 Third round: earliest project start 1 August; deadline 15 April 2027; notification July 2027
🗓️ How rounds affect project length: because of the fiscal year, grants awarded in the first round may be used for the full 12 months, those in the second round for up to 8 months, and those in the third round for up to 4 months
What the Grant Can and Cannot Pay For
The general principle is that funding may only be spent on direct project costs, not for institutional support of grantees.
✅ Generally acceptable: transportation (only for the activities to be funded), accommodation, meals, printing, equipment rental, venue rental, communication fees (including telephones and internet), and stationery or office supplies
🚫 Not acceptable: capital expenditures (including purchase of equipment), salaries, any other payments for personnel (including honorariums and trainers' fees), first or business class air tickets, gasoline or petrol, and individual daily allowances or per diems
🏢 Also not funded: salaries for permanent staff and fixed overhead costs
Single-Year Rule
📅 Calendar year: all projects must be completed within a single calendar year, which is also the Foundation's fiscal year
🔁 No multi-year commitments: a portion of a multi-year project may be considered, provided the TFD-funded portion is completed within that calendar year
Documents You Need
📝 Application Form: completed, with the original signature of the head of the organisation on the hard copy
📋 Project plan: detailed project plans
🧮 Budget: a separate budget statement
🏷️ Proof of registration: the organisation's proof of registration
📊 Financial documents: the most recent annual report or financial statement
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. You can find more grants and programmes in the Others section of Youth Works Hub.
How to Apply
The Application Form must be sent by post in hard copy, with the original signature of the head of the organisation. A digital copy of the Application Form in WORD format (without signature) must also be emailed. All other documentation is sent in PDF format by email. There is no limit on the number of attached files, but the total size must not exceed 10 MB.
✉️ Email subject: [Organization's Name] - [Purpose of Email]
⏰ Arrival: both the hard copy and the digital documents must reach the TFD office by the close of business on the deadline date; if the deadline falls on a weekend or a public holiday in Taiwan, applications are received until the close of business on the Foundation's next working day
📮 Postal delivery: being postmarked before the deadline is not sufficient, and when using regular postal services, several weeks of advance posting is recommended
🔄 Late applications: they are not reviewed in that round, and where appropriate they may be assessed in the following round
How Applications Are Evaluated
Independent reviewers with relevant expertise study the proposals. Based on their recommendations, a final decision is made, and for successful proposals the grant amount and approved budget items are determined. Reviewers keep these points in mind:
🎯 Mission fit: the relation of the project to the mission and goals of the Foundation
📈 Impact: the anticipated impact of the project
🛠️ Feasibility: the likelihood of successful execution, judged from the feasibility of the proposal, the soundness of its methodology and the experience of the project's executors
💡 Significance: the significance and innovativeness of the topics and subjects of the project
🧮 Budget: the reasonableness and clarity of the budget and whether the requested funding fits the project's goals
🔎 Integrity: the integrity of the documents submitted for review
After approval, a contract between the Foundation and the grantee is signed, stipulating final conditions and mutual obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the TFD International Grants Program?
Non-profit organisations based outside of Taiwan, including international non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, think tanks and other related organisations.
How much funding can a project receive?
Grants cannot exceed US$100,000. Most fall between US$3,000 and US$20,000, and the average is about US$5,000. The Foundation normally does not fully fund a project.
What is the next deadline?
15 December 2026 for second-round applications, with the earliest project start on 1 April 2027 and notification in March 2027. The third-round deadline is 15 April 2027.
Can I apply as an individual?
The page lists organisations as eligible applicants: international non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, think tanks and other related organisations.
Can the grant pay salaries or per diems?
No. Salaries, honorariums, trainers' fees, individual daily allowances, capital expenditures and fixed overhead costs are not funded.
How do I submit the application?
Send the signed Application Form by post in hard copy, and email the Word version of the form and all other documents in PDF format to the Foundation's grants email address (listed in the Links section), with a total size of no more than 10 MB.
Is this an Erasmus+ or ESC programme?
No. It is a separate grant from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
Deadline
⏳ 15 December 2026
Links
🔗 Official grants page: https://www.tfd.org.tw/en/grants/application
✉️ Application Email: grants@tfd.org.tw
