Deadline:
April 30, 2026
Location(s)
Australia
Various universities
Overview
The Australia Awards is the cornerstone of the Australian Government's development assistance program for Africa. It provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries.
Details
Australia Awards Africa is Australia’s prestigious scholarships program for Africa. The program offers long-term Masters and professional Short Course awards to eligible countries across the continent. The awards are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and focuses on those sectors where Australia and African nations have shared interests and where Australia has world-leading expertise to offer.
The awards aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements and to develop the next generation of African leaders.
They provide opportunities for people from developing countries, to undertake study at participating Australian universities.
The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Africa develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to development in their own countries.
How we are helping
The awards help build the skills and capacities of Africa’s future leaders in key sectors. In addition, they foster an engaged and influential network of leaders, reformers and advocates, while promoting valuable links between Australia and Africa.
The awards contribute to African leadership and human capacity development in areas of critical skills shortages. All courses are offered in areas where Australia is a world leader and where partner governments have requested assistance, namely in climate change, agriculture and food security, mining and energy, and foreign policy and international security.
The awards offer Masters Scholarships, tailored Short Courses, and an array of alumni activities including continuous professional development opportunities.
Masters Scholarships for study in Australia are offered to high-calibre future leaders across public, private and civil society sectors. Short Course awards are offered as formal courses of study and training for up to two months delivered by an institution in Australia or Africa, or a combination of both.
The alumni program supports a network of alumni associations, Communities of Practice (COPs) and other groups and offers continuous professional development and networking opportunities for registered alumni.
The awards have a strong focus on equality, emphasising equity and inclusivity for women and people with a disability. The program’s aim is for an equal number of women and men to receive awards. In addition, the program is recognised for ensuring that people with a disability, and people working in support of people with disabilities, have access to awards and are well supported while on-award.
Australia Awards Scholarships
Scholarships for masters studies in Australia are offered to eligible African candidates for postgraduate studies. The next round of applications will open from 1 February 2027.
The priority areas of study for eligible African countries in this application round are:
- Climate change
- Agriculture and food security
- Mining and energy
- Foreign policy and international security
- Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
To be considered you must meet all the following requirements:
- Citizen of an eligible African country, residing and working in their country of citizenship or working in another African country
- Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Must not already hold a Masters Degree
- Mid-level to senior-level professional, must be currently employed in a relevant field
- Meet relevant post-graduate work experience requirements
- Demonstrate a clear vision of how the knowledge gained through the scholarship will be used to improve policy, practice, or reform in their home country
- Satisfactory English proficiency to enable full participation in a training course delivered in English
- Satisfy all requirements of the Australian Government for the appropriate student visa (subclass 500).
Dates
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
For eligible mid-career professionals, who receive an Australia Awards Scholarship, the following benefits will generally apply:
- Return air travel
- A one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- Full tuition fees
- Contribution to living expenses
- Introductory academic program
- Overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship
- Supplementary academic support
- Fieldwork allowance for research students and master by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
