The Australia Awards Fellowships provide short-term professional development, research and training opportunities for eligible mid-career professionals and senior officials from developing countries, including several African countries.
Funded by the Australian Government, the Fellowships are delivered through partnerships between Australian organisations and overseas counterpart organisations. Unlike the Australia Awards Scholarships, these Fellowships are short-term opportunities and do not lead to formal academic qualifications.
SUMMARY:
- Fellowship Sponsor: Australian Government
- Host Organisations: Eligible Australian Organisations
- Funding: Up to AUD $34,500 per Fellow
- Number of Fellows: Up to 15 DFAT-funded Fellows per Fellowship
- Duration: 2–52 Weeks
- Target Group: Mid-career Professionals & Senior Officials
- Nationality: Eligible Developing Countries
- Next Round: Round 22
- Application Opening: Expected Final Quarter of 2026
Also Check: Australian Government Research Scholarships [Fully Funded]
Australia Awards Fellowships 2027 | Program Overview
Australia Awards Fellowships are designed to strengthen professional capacity and institutional partnerships between Australia and eligible developing countries. Activities may include short-term study or training, research, professional development, work attachments, networking, seminars and field activities.
Fellowships can run for 2 to 52 weeks, with a minimum of two weeks of activities taking place in Australia. They are intended primarily for senior officials and mid-career professionals who can use the skills and networks gained to advance development priorities in their home countries.
Importantly, individuals cannot apply directly to DFAT. Eligible Australian organisations apply in partnership with overseas counterpart organisations and subsequently nominate suitable Fellows.
Eligibility Criteria
To be nominated, a Fellow must generally:
- Be at least 18 years old when the Fellowship begins.
- Be a citizen of and reside in an eligible developing country.
- Not be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or be applying for either status.
- Not be serving military personnel.
- Be working in their country of citizenship or residence in an area relevant to the Fellowship.
- Be able to meet Australian visa requirements.
- Be available for the full duration of the Fellowship.
- Have adequate English language ability to participate effectively.
- Be able to travel without family members.
Fellowships target senior officials and mid-career professionals positioned to contribute to priority development and foreign affairs outcomes.
Eligible Countries
Eligible African countries currently include:
Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Other eligible countries are located across the Pacific, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, Caribbean and Europe (Ukraine).
Also Check: Australia Awards Scholarships 2027 | Application Guide
Fellowship Benefits
Funding of up to AUD $34,500 per Fellow may support eligible Fellowship expenses, including:
- Return economy airfare to and from Australia.
- Approved domestic transportation in Australia.
- Accommodation during the Australian component.
- Contribution towards daily living expenses.
- Training and professional development costs.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) where applicable.
- Eligible visa-related medical and character checks.
- Approved activities in the Fellow’s partner country.
- Additional assistance for Fellows with disabilities where required.
The exact benefits received depend on the approved Fellowship programme and budget.
Application Procedures
How to Apply: Individuals cannot submit direct applications for Australia Awards Fellowships. Instead, the procedures for taking part of the Australia Awards Fellowships are as follows:
- An eligible Australian organisation establishes or works with an overseas counterpart organisation in an eligible country.
- The Australian organisation develops the Fellowship proposal with its overseas partner.
- The Australian organisation submits the application through the official Fellowship application system when a funding round is open.
- Successful Australian organisations nominate eligible Fellows from their partner organisations.
- Selected Fellows complete the required documentation and visa procedures before travelling to Australia.
International professionals interested in participating may therefore explore opportunities through eligible organisations in their country that have partnerships with Australian institutions.
Application Documents
There is no single individual application-document checklist because Fellows do not apply directly to DFAT. Once nominated, selected Fellows are required to provide information and supporting documentation requested by the Australian host organisation and DFAT, including documentation necessary for eligibility and visa processing.
Application Deadline: Round 22 is expected to open in the final quarter of 2026.
The opening and closing dates for Round 22 have not yet been announced. Applicants and partner organisations should monitor the official Australia Awards Fellowships website for the new round.
