Applications are now open for the 2026 Amex Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program.

American Express, in partnership with Mainstreet Australia and the International Downtown Association Foundation, is offering grants to eligible small, independent restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs with food offerings across Greater Melbourne, Greater Sydney and the Auckland Region.

What’s available?

🇦🇺 Melbourne & Sydney: 15 grants of AUD $20,000 each
🇳🇿 Auckland: 5 grants of NZD $25,000 each

The grants can help support business growth and sustainability, including kitchen upgrades, digital improvements and other business initiatives.

Who can apply?

Eligible businesses must:

• Have a physical location in Greater Melbourne, Greater Sydney or the Auckland Region
• Have been operating before 1 September 2025
• Be a registered for-profit business
• Have 2025 annual revenue under AUD $2 million in Melbourne/Sydney or NZD $2 million in Auckland
• Not be part of a franchise with more than five locations

Digital-only businesses and previous recipients of the Backing International Small Restaurants grant are not eligible.

Applications close 17 November 2026

Applications close at 3:59pm AEDT (Australia) and 5:59pm NZDT (New Zealand) on 17 November 2026.

Find out more and apply: Learn More & Apply