Deadline: 30-Apr-21
The Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders for development in post COVID Sri Lanka. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
As set out in DFAT’s Sri Lanka COVID-19 Development Response Plan, Australia’s development cooperation program in Sri Lanka contributes to three objectives: health security, social stability and economic recovery from COVID-19, with a focus on inclusion and addressing vulnerability. The objectives of the Australia Awards Scholarships program in Sri Lanka are likewise guided by the Response Plan.
Priority Fields of Study
The priority areas of study for Sri Lanka are:
Level of Study
- Australia Awards scholarships provide citizens of Sri Lanka with the opportunity to obtain a qualification at an Australian tertiary institution.
- Awards will be offered for commencement in 2022 within the following allocations:
- Masters level qualification (by coursework or research)
Australia Awards Benefits
- Australia Awards scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.
- Scholarship recipients will receive the following depending on the mode and structure of the selected course:
- return air travel
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival
- full tuition fees
- contribution to living expenses
- introductory academic program
- overseas student health cover for the duration of scholarship
- supplementary academic support,
- fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component.
Eligibility Criteria
- English language proficiency:
- Applicants must have achieved an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score of less than 6.0) or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE score. Scores must be valid at 1 January 2022.
- Commencement of study:
- All scholarships must be taken up in the year for which are awarded, this however also depends on travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Should an awardee not be able to commence study in 2022, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
- Country-specific conditions:
- In addition to the eligibility requirements, candidates from Sri Lanka must also meet the following conditions:
- applicants working in the priority districts, and applicants with a disability or those working in the disability sector will be considered with an overall IELTS band score of at least 6.0 with no band less than 5.0 (or equivalent TOEFL or PTE score).
- If offered an Australia Awards scholarship, these applicants must meet the English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 equivalent before commencing study.
- be employed and the following criteria must be confirmed by an employment letter:
- applicants from the public sector must have at least 3 years’ post qualification experience in the public sector with 2 years in a field relevant to the proposed course of study and be confirmed in their current positions.
- applicants from the private sector and civil society organisation must have at least 3 years’ post qualification experience in a field relevant to the proposed course of study.
- have completed a tertiary-level qualification at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree.
- have an academic or professional background relevant to their proposed study program.
- public sector employees selected for an Australia Award scholarship will be required to provide a copy of their official leave approval document to the Australia Awards office prior to departure.
- awardees are required to return to Sri Lanka for at least two years after completing their scholarship, to contribute to economic and social development of the country.
For more information, visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/sri-lanka-information-for-intake
