If you want to relocate to Australia for short term study research and professional development activities then this opportunity is for you. Applications are now open for Round 21 of the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT. This fully funded fellowship in Australia is designed for mid career professionals from developing countries who want to take part in short term professional development activities in Australia and contribute to the progress of their home countries.
The Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 includes study and research based activities hosted by Australian organisations and institutes. The duration of the Australia Awards Fellowship ranges from two weeks to fifty two weeks. More details are provided below.
Details About Australia Awards Fellowship 2026
• Host Country: Australia
• Duration: 2 to 52 weeks
• Who Can Apply: Mid career professionals
• It is not: An academic program
• Benefits: Fully funded
• Deadline: 16th January 2026
Financial Benefits
The program covers:
• Return air tickets
• All transportation within Australia
• Training costs
• Accommodation and living expenses
• Medical insurance for fellowship holders in Australia
• Special assistance for people with disability
• Program overhead fee
NED Reagan Democracy Fellowship 2026 Fully Funded in the USA
Key Features of the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026
Purpose of the Fellowship
The Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 enables eligible Australian organizations including government institutions businesses and non government organizations to collaborate with promising young professionals and emerging leaders worldwide.
Aim of the Fellowship
The Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 targets senior and mid career professionals from developing countries offering opportunities to strengthen their skills in leadership management research and policy development. Fellows are expected to return home and support the development of their countries.
Priority Areas of the Fellowship
Six key development areas include:
• Climate change adaptation resilience and green energy transition including critical mineral mining
• Gender equality disability equity and social inclusion
• Health
• Digital economy cyber resilience and media engagement
• Maritime and blue economy
• Infrastructure and connectivity
Duration of the Fellowship
Fellowships must last a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of fifty two weeks.
• In Australia requirement: At least two weeks of activities must take place in Australia
• Partner country activities: Activities must begin within four months after completing the Australian component
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
To be eligible you must:
• Be at least 18 years old at the start of the fellowship
• Not be a permanent resident of Australia or applying for permanent residency and not be the partner of someone who is
• Be a citizen of an eligible country
• Not currently serve in the military
• Meet visa requirements for a DFAT sponsored student visa subclass 500
• Be able to participate fully in the fellowship
• Travel without family members since DFAT supports only individual fellows
• If you have a disability requiring assistance you must travel with a career
Eligible Countries
Southeast Asia
Cambodia Indonesia Lao Peoples Democratic Republic Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Thailand Timor Leste Vietnam
South Asia and the Middle East
Bangladesh Bhutan India Iraq Jordan Maldives Mongolia Nepal Pakistan Occupied Palestinian Territories Sri Lanka
Pacific
Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru Niue Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna
Africa
Botswana Democratic Republic of Congo Egypt Ghana Kenya Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nigeria Rwanda Senegal South Africa Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Caribbean
Belize Dominica Grenada Guyana Haiti Jamaica Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname
Europe
Ukraine
Application Process for the Australia Awards Fellowship 2026
Applicants must apply online through Smartygrants. Remember the deadline for Australia Awards Fellowship Round 21. The official link is provided below.
Official Link:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-fellowships/applying-australia-awards-fellowship