The Tibetan Settlement Matching Grants Program strengthens the sustainability, vitality, and cohesion of Tibetan settlements in India by connecting overseas Tibetan communities with development priorities identified by their home settlements.

Established in 2021, the program is jointly supported by The Tibet Fund (TTF) and the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Home (DOHo). It encourages overseas settlement support organizations (OSSOs) to mobilize resources for projects that respond to locally identified needs. TTF and DOHo then provide matching contributions multiplying the impact of diaspora giving.

Through this collaborative model, the program promotes greater engagement between overseas Tibetans and their home settlements while supporting community-led initiatives that contribute to the long-term resilience of Tibetan settlements.

2026 Call for Proposals

The Tibet Fund and the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Home invite proposals from overseas settlement support organizations for the 2026 Tibetan Settlement Matching Grants Program.

Overseas Tibetan associations and organizations with ties to settlements in India and Nepal are encouraged to work with their respective communities and Settlement Offices to identify projects that address priority needs and contribute to settlement sustainability, vitality, and community cohesion.

Selected OSSOs will undertake fundraising from December 2026 through March 2027, with eligible funds raised during this period matched by TTF and DOHo in accordance with program guidelines.

How the Matching Grant Program Works:

• For selected projects, TTF and DOHo will each provide a matching grant of up to USD 10,000, based on the amount raised by the participating OSSO.

  For example, for a project with a total budget of USD 30,000:

  • The OSSO raises USD 10,000

  • The Tibet Fund provides up to USD 10,000

  • DOHo provides up to USD 10,000

  Selected OSSOs are provided a designated fundraising period to raise their contribution. At the end of the fundraising period, the OSSO must submit confirmation from the relevant Settlement Officer verifying the amount raised.

  TTF will disburse its matching contribution to DOHo, which will coordinate the release of both TTF and DOHo funds through the respective Settlement Offices.

Eligibility:

1. Applicant: Any overseas Tibetan association or organization raising funds for projects in its respective home settlement may apply. Formal legal registration is not required.

2. Eligible Project: Projects must be settlement-based, respond to needs identified by community members, and contribute to the sustainability, vitality, or cohesion of the settlement.

3. Priority Consideration: Priority consideration will be given to:

   • First-time OSSO applicants

   • Settlements identified under the Central Tibetan Administration’s Bringing Back Compact Community (BBCC) initiative

   • Remote or underserved settlements

   • Community Participation – Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate meaningful community participation in identifying and prioritizing project needs, including the use of participatory consultation or assessment tools.

Ineligibility:

• Matching grant funds may not be used for:

  • Scholarships or stipends

  • Recurring salaries

  • Public events

  • Office renovation

  • Equipment purchases

  Settlement camps that received matching grants in 2025 are not eligible for the 2026 funding cycle.

Application Instructions:

A complete application must include:

• The TTF Grant Proposal Form

• One letter of support from the relevant Settlement Officer recommending the proposed project

• The deadline for submission is October 31, 2026