Australia Awards Fellowships & Professional Development

Australia Awards Fellowships are designed to foster networks of leadership and influence by strengthening collaborations between Australian organizations and their regional partners. The Fellowships target senior and mid-career professionals who are positioned to drive development outcomes in key areas and enhance the institutional capacity of their home countries.

Award Overview

Australia Awards Fellowships provide short-term opportunities for study, research, and professional development in Australia, hosted by Australian organizations. These Fellowships do not lead to academic qualifications. The program is highly competitive, with application rounds conducted through a selection process.

Eligibility Criteria for Fellows

Australia Awards Fellowships are intended for senior officials and mid-career professionals who will be able to contribute to development and foreign affairs priorities in the short to medium term upon returning to their home countries. To qualify, Fellows nominated by Australian organizations must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the start of the Fellowship.
• Not be a permanent resident of Australia, applying for permanent residency, or the partner of someone applying for residency.
• Be a citizen of an eligible country.
• Not be active military personnel.
• Meet the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements for a DFAT-sponsored student visa (subclass 500).
• Be able to fully participate in the Fellowship.
• Travel without family members, as DFAT only supports Fellows and does not cover family travel expenses.
• Fellows with disabilities requiring assistance must travel with a carer.

Participating Countries

Eligible countries for the Australia Awards Fellowships in Africa include: Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Fellowship Funding

Australian organizations can apply for funding of up to AUD $34,500 per Fellow, with a cap of 15 Fellows. The funding covers:

• Return airfare and in-Australia travel.
• Training costs.
• Accommodation and living expenses.
• Medical insurance (for the Fellow only).
• Special assistance for Fellows with disabilities.
• Program overhead fees.

Priority Areas

Fellowship programs must align with one or more of the following development priorities:

1. Climate change adaptation, resilience, and green energy transition (including critical mineral mining).
2. Gender equality, disability equity, and social inclusion.
3. Health.
4. Digital economy, cyber resilience, and media engagement.
5. Maritime and the Blue Economy.
6. Infrastructure and connectivity.

Key Dates

• 2 September 2024: Applications open.
• 13 October 2024: Application deadline (11:59 PM AEST).
• From May 2025: Outcome notifications for successful and unsuccessful proposals (feedback will not be provided).
• From May 2025: Grant payments begin for the Australia Awards Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program.
• From 21 July 2025: Remaining grant payments for Fellowship Round 20.
• 30 June 2025: Nominated and Reserve Fellow supplementary form opens (closes six months prior to the Fellow’s start date).

For more details, visit the Official Webpage of Australia Awards Fellowships.