Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 (Round 21) – Fully Funded

Applications are now open for the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 (Round 21) – a prestigious leadership and professional development program funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This fully funded fellowship supports short-term study, research, and professional attachments in Australia (minimum 2 weeks) combined with activities in partner countries. It targets senior officials and mid-career professionals from eligible developing countries to advance key development priorities. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Host: Australian organisations (universities, NGOs, government departments, businesses, etc.)
• Fields: Climate change & green energy, Health, Gender equality & social inclusion, Digital economy & cyber resilience, Maritime & Blue Economy, Infrastructure & connectivity
• Duration: 2 to 52 weeks (in-Australia time must be longer than in-partner country time)
• Funding: Fully funded by DFAT (up to 15 Fellows per application); Australian host must provide co-contribution
• No application fee
• Deadline: 16 January 2026

Who Can Apply?

Only Australian Organisations in partnership with Overseas Counterpart Organisations (OCOs) from eligible developing countries can apply. Individuals cannot apply.

Also check: Global Development Fellowship at Imperial College London (Fully Funded)

Eligible Australian Organisations

Must be a legal entity with a current Australian Business Number (ABN). Examples include:

• Private sector businesses, research centres, universities, TAFEs, peak bodies, chambers of commerce, community groups, NGOs, media, professional associations, industry bodies
• Australian Government departments (Federal, State/Territory, local), agencies, statutory authorities, and Government Business Enterprises

Overseas Counterpart Organisations (OCOs)

• Must operate and reside in an eligible country (cannot be individuals)
• Cannot be an international branch of the Australian organisation or part of the same global consortium
• New or emerging partnerships are welcome

Partnership Requirements

• Demonstrate strong links with OCO(s)
• Provide in-kind or financial co-contribution (mandatory)

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Fellow Eligibility

Fellowships target senior officials and mid-career professionals who can drive change in their home country.

All nominated Fellows must:

• Be at least 18 years old when starting
• Not be Australian or New Zealand citizens/permanent residents (including dual citizenship)
• Be a citizen and resident of an eligible developing country (citizenship and residency can differ)
• Not be current serving military personnel
• Not be married/engaged/de facto to anyone with Australian or NZ citizenship/residency
• Have relevant work experience in their home country before the Fellowship
• Meet Australian visa requirements
• Participate full-time (exceptions only with DFAT approval)
• Travel alone – no family funding or visa support
• Have adequate English to fully engage (or AHO must provide translation/support)

Note: DFAT does not recommend translation for multi-country programs if it affects learning.

Check for undergraduate study: Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship 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.

Eligible Countries

Pacific

Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

Southeast Asia

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

South Asia & Middle East

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Jordan, State of Palestine

Africa

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, Zimbabwe

Caribbean

Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname

Europe

Ukraine

Check also: Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2026: PhD Sandwich Program

Priority Development Areas

Your Fellowship must align with one of these six areas:

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

How to Apply

1. Apply online via SmartyGrants
2. Attend the Industry Information Session (optional but recommended)