AusAID development awards programs

The AusAID development awards programs are part of the Australia Awards initiative which was announced by the Prime Minister in November 2009.

The Australia Awards have been established to maximise the benefit to Australia of its extensive scholarship programs, and to support enduring ties between Australia and our neighbours.

The Australia Awards will bring together the international development awards administered by AusAID and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ Endeavour Awards under a single recognisable brand.
The consolidation of these programs and other work to establish the Australia Awards will commence in 2010.
More information on Australia Awards [external website].

Development awards have been an important component of the Australian Government’s overseas aid program since the 1950s, supporting its aim to help developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

The overarching goals of AusAID-funded development awards are:

achieving country and regional program development outcomes through strengthened individual and institutional skills and knowledge, and by supporting leadership
supporting Australia’s broader foreign policy agenda through long-term linkages and partnerships.
The awards are implemented through the following programs:

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS)
Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships (ALA Scholarships)
Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships (ALA Fellowships).
ADS, ALA Scholarships and ALA Fellowships provide opportunities for study or work experience in Australia.

Funded by individual country programs, the ADS program is intended to support the aims of the Australian aid program in these partner countries.

ALA Scholarships and Fellowships are funded on a regional basis and, while aligned to country program priorities, also support AusAID’s development agenda within the region by developing leadership and building partnerships and linkages

Through being exposed to and influenced by Australian education and ideas, and experiencing a functioning structured context and institutions, AusAID’s awardees have the potential as like-minded individuals to drive forward development and change through leadership and networking.

Importantly, all AusAID scholars are expected to return to their home country or region to contribute to social and economic development.

More information
More information on the different programs, including lists of relevant partner countries and applicant eligibility criteria, can be found at:


ADS
ALA Scholarships
ALA Fellowships.
General information on award benefits and living in Australia is set out in the Scholarships Overview [PDF 125kb].