Australian Development Scholarships (ADS)

Do you want to contribute to your country's development goals? Try ADS!

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are a bilateral development cooperation between the Australian Government and its partner countries. 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.

Each Country Program has different selection processes and timelines. Selection processes for the 2011 academic year are already underway. Country specific information on the 2012 intake will be available shortly. Further information on individual country processes can be obtained from the Australian Diplomatic Mission in the country of citizenship.

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
• 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 (CLE) is a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by AusAID.  From 1 July 2009, CLE payable to students studying under the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) is A$25,000
• 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 [external website]
• 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.

Country specific criteria

In addition to the above general eligibility criteria, applicants must also meet specific eligibility criteria imposed by the Government of their country of citizenship. Country specific eligibility criteria are available from the Australian Diplomatic Mission in your country of citizenship.

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.

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