Application Deadline: 18 December 2015

Australia engages with developing countries at government, business, professional and community levels. Australia Awards Fellowships offer Australian organisations, from all sectors, the opportunity to deepen and broaden their links with leaders and professionals in developing countries. By providing opportunities for Fellows to undertake short term study and professional development in Australia, they aim to:

strengthen partnerships and links between Australian organisations and partner organisations in developing countries, in support of Australia's economic diplomacy and public diplomacy objectives
increase the capacity of developing countries to advance priority foreign affairs and development issues of shared interest at the country, sub-regional and regional levels.

Fellowships are for current and future leaders and mid-career professionals, who will be in a position to advance priority foreign affairs and development issues. Fellowship activities are aimed at providing high-quality training, exchange of expertise, skills and knowledge, and opportunities to enhance networks on issues of shared interest.

Grant funding of up to $35,000 per Fellow is offered on a competitive basis to Australian organisations to support a range of professional development activities in Australia. Fellowship activities can include a combination of short-term study and/or training, professional development, networking and work experience, and are delivered by the Australian host organisation in Australia for Fellows from eligible countries. Australia Awards Fellowship funding is not for Fellows to gain academic qualifications, as these opportunities are provided under the Australia Awards Scholarships.

DFAT invites Australian organisations to submit applications that align with the aims of the Australian Government’s new development policy Australian aid: promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability and the Australia Awards Fellowships program.

Australian organisations applying for a Fellowship must identify the foreign affairs and development policy theme that is the focus of their Fellowship proposal from the following list of aid program priority areas:

Infrastructure
Trade facilitation and international competitiveness
Agriculture, fisheries and water
Effective governance: policies, institutions and functioning economies
Education
Health
Building resilience: humanitarian assistance, disaster risk reduction and social protection
Gender equality and empowering women and girls

Eligible applicants

Only Australian organisations that have on-going linkages with counterpart overseas organisations in eligible countries are eligible to apply for an Australia Awards Fellowship. Australian organisations must be legal entities with an Australian Business Number (ABN). Examples are:

Australian Government departments—(Federal, State/Territory and local), government agencies, statutory authorities, and Government Business Enterprises.
Australian organisations, institutions and businesses—e.g. research centres, higher education providers, vocational education and training providers, peak bodies, Australian chambers of commerce, community groups, non-government organisations, media, professional associations and industry bodies.

Partner country counterpart organisations and individuals are not eligible to apply for Australia Awards Fellowships. They may, however, initiate contact with an Australian organisation to explore the organisation’s interest in applying for fellowship funding. Study opportunities for individuals from developing countries are available under Australia Awards. Information can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au.

Australian organisations funded under previous rounds and numbers of participating Fellows by country (PDF 163kb)
Australian organisations funded under previous rounds and numbers of participating Fellows by country (Word 87kb)

Profiles of previous fellows

Two fellows attended a three-week intensive program on climate change mitigation in the Pacific.

Find out more about this fellowship
How to apply for Australia Awards Fellowships funding
Before applying

Before applying for a Fellowship, Australian organisations must read:

the Australia Awards Fellowships Guidelines, which provide information on eligibility, the selection criteria and process, and funding arrangements, including Australian Host Organisations’ entitlements and responsibilities. The Round 16 Guidelines will be posted to this website ahead of the opening of the round in early 2016.
the Australian Government’s new development policy Australian aid: promoting prosperity, reducing poverty, enhancing stability
the relevant country-specific and thematic aid program priorities.

How to apply

Applications must be lodged online at http://fellowships.smartygrants.com.au. Applications for Round 16 are expected to open in early 2016 for Fellowships hosted in the 2016-17 financial year. Please continue to check this website for further information and updates.
Supporting documentation

Australian organisations must complete all sections of the application form marked as required to be a complete application. These include:

a detailed Fellowship proposal
Australian organisation capability statement
a detailed budget based on the template provided (Excel template preferred): Fellowships budget template. A sample budget is provided to assist in developing your budget.
details of all nominated and reserve Fellows; and
a letter of support from each overseas counterpart organisation, signed by a senior representative of the organisation and who is not a nominated or reserve Fellow.

Click here to apply: http://opportuniti.org/?p=1074