If you want to relocate to Australia for short-term study, research, and professional development activities, then here is an opportunity for everyone. The applications are now open for Round 21 of the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This fully funded fellowship in Australia targets mid-career professionals from developing countries who want to undertake short-term professional development activities in Australia and continue contributing to the development of their home countries. The fellowship includes study and research activities hosted by Australian organizations and institutes. The duration of the Australia Awards fellowship is from 2 weeks to 52 weeks. More details are below.

• 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
• Medical insurance costs when in Australia (for Fellowship holders only)
• Special assistance for people with disability
• Program overhead fee.

Key Features of the Fellowship

Purpose of the Fellowship: The Australia Awards Fellowship enables eligible Australian organisations, such as government institutions, businesses, and non-government organisations, to connect with promising young professionals and innovative leaders from around the world.

Aim of the Fellowship: It targets senior and mid-career professionals from developing countries, providing opportunities to enhance their professional skills in leadership, management, research, and policy development in Australia. Fellows are expected to then return home and contribute to the development of their countries.

Six development priority areas:

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

Duration of the Fellowship

Fellowships must be between a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks.

• In-Australia Requirement: At least 2 weeks of the Fellowship activities must take place in Australia.
• Partner Country Activities: Activities in the partner country must commence within 4 months of completing the Fellowship activities in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for the Applicant

To be eligible for an Australia Awards Fellowship, you must:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old when the fellowship begins.
• Residency: Not be a permanent resident of Australia or applying for permanent residency, nor be a partner of someone who is.
• Citizenship: Be a citizen of an eligible country.
• Military service: Not currently serving in the military.
• Visa requirements: Meet all the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs for a (DFAT-sponsored) student visa subclass 500.
• Participation: Be able to fully participate in the fellowship.
• Travel: Travel without family members, as DFAT only funds and provides visa support for individual fellows.
• Disability assistance: If you have a disability that requires assistance, you must travel with a carer.

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, and 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 for the Australia Awards Fellowship

Applicants must apply online via Smartygrants. Remember the Deadline for the Australia Awards Fellowship Round 21 application. 

For more information? CLICK HERE