Australian Development Scholarships

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are a bilateral program within the Australian scholarships program.

Australian Development Scholarships are a highly valued form of development cooperation that aims to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries to promote growth and stability. They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study in Australia.

Fields of study are targeted to address agreed priority human resource and development needs of recipient countries, in line with Australia's bilateral aid program.

Australian Development Scholarships equip scholars with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence the development outcomes of their own country through obtaining tertiary qualifications at participating Australian higher education institutions and technical colleges.

Scholarship holders are required to return to their country of citizenship for two years after they have completed their studies to contribute to the development of their country.

Up to 1000 Australian Development Scholarships are awarded each year across 31 countries with scholarships awarded equally between men and women.

Categories of Australian Development Scholarships
There are two categories of Australian Development Scholarships:

Public sector: Applicants are public sector employees who are nominated by their governments for an Australian Development Scholarship award through a competitive selection process. Applicants are required to return to their role in the public service at the completion of their award to strengthen public service capacity in their home country.

Open/equity: Applicants do not need to be nominated by their government or employer. Anyone who meets the selection criteria may apply under this category. Applicants are required to return to their country of citizenship after the completion of their award to contribute to the development of the identified priority sector in their country.

Scholarship benefits
Australian Development Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian higher education Institution, including any preparatory training. The following benefits generally apply:

Return air travel - payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route.

A reunion airfare entitlement of A$1,500 for reunion travel is available to Students who commence their scholarship in 2009 and have no family members accompanying them. Unaccompanied students who commenced their scholarship prior to 2009 may be entitled to a reunion airfare.

Contribution to initial visa expenses.
Establishment allowance - a once only payment of A$5,000 as a contribution towards expenses such as rental bonds, text books, study materials, additional medical insurance, home contents insurance, excess baggage etc.

Full tuition fees.
Contribution to living expenses - a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by AusAID. For all students who have received an Offer to start in 2008 the stipend is A$20,007 per annum for Semester 1. The stipend will increase to $23,008 per annum in Semester 2, 2008.

Introductory Academic Program (IAP) - a compulsory 4-6 week program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on life and study in Australia. See information on IAPs below.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only) - provided to cover the student's basic medical costs.

Pre-course English (PCE) fees - if deemed necessary PCE may be available for students for in-country and/or in-Australia training.

Supplementary Academic Support (Tutorial Assistance) - may be available when essential to improve the student's performance to ensure their academic success.

Fieldwork (for research students only) - may be available for eligible research students for one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

Eligibility
Applicants for Australian Development Scholarships must satisfy both the general eligibility criteria and specific criteria established for each country. Applicants will also need to satisfy all requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

General eligibility criteria
Applicants must:

be a citizen of an ADS participating country [see below]
not hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident status.
not married to, a de facto of, or engaged to, a person who holds or is eligible to hold an Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident status
not hold or have held an Australian government funded scholarship in the preceding 12 months at the time of application
satisfy any specific criteria established by the applicant's country and/or government of citizenship
satisfy the admission requirements of the Institution at which the ADS is to be undertaken
satisfy all requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

More Information: www.ausaid.gov.au/