John Allwright Fellowship

Deadline - 15 May 2017

Background

The Australia Awards John Allwright Fellowship is a scholarship offered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and co-funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. John Allwright Fellowships are awarded to partner-country scientists involved in ACIAR-supported collaborative research projects to undertake postgraduate training at Australian universities.

The primary aim of the John Allwright Fellowship is to enhance research capacity in ACIAR’s partner country institutions. Whilst individual awardees will benefit from the Scheme, it is important to note that partner country institutions are the key targets.

The study and research opportunities provided by Australia Awards Scholarships develop skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to the development outcomes of their own country.

Awards benefits

The Awards 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:

• Full tuition fees
• Return air travel—payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route
• Establishment allowance—a once only payment of A$5,000 as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, text books, study materials
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) is a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by the department. From 1 January 2013, CLE payable to Scholars studying under an Australia Awards John Allwright Fellowship is A$30,000 per year.
• 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
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)—provided to cover the student's basic medical costs (with the exception of pre-existing conditions)
• 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 may be available to ensure a Scholar's academic success or enhance their academic experience
• Fieldwork (for research students only)—may be available for eligible research students for up to two return economy class airfares for a Masters student or up to three for a PhD student, via the most direct route to their country of citizenship.

Award conditions

Applicants who want to accept an Australia Awards John Allwright Fellowship will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia declaring that they will comply with the conditions of the scholarship.

Awardees are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the awardee incurring a debt for the total accrued cost of their scholarship.

If you intend to apply, you must read the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook The handbook provides information on all aspects of the scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

Although applications are welcome from participants in both bilateral and multilateral (IARC) projects, applicants must be working with ACIAR projects in a current partner developing country.

Applicants must be citizens of the country in which they are working.

To be eligible for selection, a candidate must:

·         at the time of applying, hold qualifications that would be assessed to be equivalent to at least an Australian bachelor’s degree in a discipline that is relevant to the proposed area of postgraduate study;

·         be a scientist or economist from the developing country partner, who is actively involved in a collaborative research project supported by ACIAR at the time of application (in some cases, ACIAR will consider supporting researchers from “advanced pipeline” projects, i.e. in cases where a full project proposal has been approved by ACIAR);

·         be jointly supported in the application by the Australian and partner country Project Leaders;

·         obtain approval from the employing institution who must agree to the absence of the candidate should he/she receive a scholarship for the period involved in obtaining the postgraduate qualification; and

·         demonstrate that he/she is employed on a permanent rather than short-term contract basis.

Within the Fellowship Scheme, ACIAR strives to meet the Australian government policy on gender equity, and reflect ACIAR’s training policies and strategies.

How to apply

There is one call for nominations per year. Candidates must submit their applications online by 15 May 2017. 

Please note that it is ACIAR’s preference that applicants apply online.

 

An offer of an award is only valid for the Australian academic year following the calendar year in which the offer is made. 

It is important that project leaders check the eligibility of proposed candidates before application. Any queries may be directed to the appropriate Research Program Manager or the Project Officer, Education and Training Programs ACIAR.

Applying online

Go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) at http://oasis.dfat.gov.au. The first step is to register in OASIS as this will enable you to logon, create and complete an application.

For instructions on how to register and create an application in OASIS please see the OASIS Applicant User guide <http://aciar.gov.au/content/australia-awards-john-allwright-eligibility-and-online-user-guide>.