If you’re interested in participating in study, research, or short-term professional development programs in Australia, this is a golden opportunity. Applications are open for the 21st round of the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). These fully funded Fellowship are for mid-career professionals from developing countries who wish to pursue short-term professional development activities in Australia and contribute to their country’s development. These Fellowship cover teaching and research activities in collaboration with Australian institutions and organizations. The duration of Australia Awards Fellowship ranges from two to 52 weeks. More information is provided below.
Details About Australia Awards Fellowship:
- Host Country: Australia
- Duration: 2 to 52 weeks
- Who can Apply: Mid-career professionals
- It is not: An Academic Program
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 16th January 2026
Financial Benefits
The Program covers:
- Return Air Tickets
- All Transportation in Australia
- Training costs
- Accommodation and living expenses
- Health Insurance Cost in Australia (for Fellowship holders only)
- Special assistance for people with disability
- Program overhead fee.
Key Features of the Fellowship:
- Purpose of Fellowship: Australia Awards fellowship enable eligible Australian organizations, such as government agencies, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, to connect with young professionals and innovative leaders from around the world.
- Fellowship Purpose: These fellowship target senior and mid-career professionals from developing countries and provide them with opportunities to hone their professional skills in leadership, management, research, and policy development in Australia.
Priority Areas of the Fellowship:
Six priority development areas:
- Climate change, adaptation, resilience, and the transition to green energy (including the extraction of key minerals)
- Gender equality, disability equality, and social inclusion
- Health
- Digital economy, cyber resilience, and media participation
- Maritime and aquatic economy
- Infrastructure and communications
Duration of the Fellowship:
The Fellowship should be for a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks.
- Australian Residence Requirements: Fellowship activities must take place in Australia for at least 2 weeks.
- Partner Country Activities: Activities in the partner country must begin within four months of completion of fellowship activities in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age at the time the scholarship commences.
- Residence: Not an Australian permanent resident or permanent resident applicant, nor the spouse of a permanent resident.
- Citizenship: A citizen of an eligible country.
- Military Service: Not currently serving in the military.
- Visa Requirements: Meet all Home Office requirements for a DFAT-sponsored student visa.
- Participation: Be able to fully participate in the scholarship.
- Travel: Travel without family members, as DFAT only pays visa fees and provides visa assistance for individual scholarships.
- Disability Support:
- If you have a disability that requires support.
- you must travel with a caregiver.
Eligible Countries:
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia,
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
- Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
- Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
- South Asia and the Middle East: Bangladesh,
- Bhutan, India, Iraq,
- Jordan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal,
- Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian Territories,
- Sri Lanka
- Pacific: Federated States of Micronesia,
- Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue,
- Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
- Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,
- Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna
- Africa: Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt,
- Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi,
- Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,
- Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania,
- Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Caribbean: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana,
- Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia,
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname
- Europe: Ukraine
Application Process:
Applicants must apply online through SmartyGrants. Remember the deadline for submitting applications for the 21st round of Australia Awards Fellowship. The official website link is provided below.
APPLY LINK