The University of Sydney has received a 2026 Maitri Grant to fund a landmark music partnership between Australia and India. This partnership, valued at $180,000, was announced as part of a broader package of Australia-India initiatives unveiled by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grant will facilitate connections between Sydney Conservatorium students and musicians, educators, and communities in both countries.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott stated that the partnership would strengthen the University’s connection with communities across Sydney. He emphasized the potential for the project to connect the University’s expertise in music and education with communities across Sydney, particularly Indian-Australian communities in Parramatta and Western Sydney.
Through this three-year partnership, students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will have opportunities to travel to India to learn alongside musicians, educators, and students at Bengaluru’s Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts (SaPa). The project will also bring Indian musicians and educators to Sydney for workshops, performances, and creative collaborations.
The partnership is one of 41 initiatives funded through the 2026 Maitri Grants Program, which supports projects that strengthen cultural, educational, and research links between Australia and India. The project reflects the growing importance of education, research, and cultural exchange in the Australia-India relationship.
For more information, visit sydney.edu.au.