Apply for International Research Fellowship Program (Australia)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Skills SA International Research Fellowship supports South Australian vocational education and training (VET) and Adult Community Education (ACE) educators to undertake international applied research. Each selected Fellow receives $15,000 to investigate global approaches to skills development, teaching, assessment, industry engagement, workforce alignment, and learner support and bring practical lessons back to South Australia.

What Is the Skills SA International Research Fellowship?

The Skills SA International Research Fellowship is part of a broader South Australian and Australian Government effort to strengthen the VET workforce through international applied research.

The programme is delivered by the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS Institute) in partnership with Skills SA.

It enables South Australian VET and ACE educators to examine international practices that are not currently available, widely used, or sufficiently developed in Australia or South Australia.

The goal is to translate international knowledge into practical improvements for South Australia’s training and skills system.

Why It Matters

International research can help VET and ACE educators identify innovative approaches to skills development and training delivery.

The Fellowship aims to:

• Address skills gaps.
• Improve VET teaching and assessment.
• Strengthen industry engagement.
• Improve alignment between training and workforce needs.
• Enhance learner support.
• Introduce international best practices to South Australia.
• Encourage innovation in training delivery.
• Develop practical and scalable solutions.
• Benefit learners, educators, employers, and the wider VET system.

What Research Can Fellows Undertake?

Fellows are encouraged to investigate international approaches that could address current challenges in South Australia’s VET and ACE sectors.

Potential research areas include:

• Innovative VET teaching methods.
• Assessment practices.
• Industry partnerships.
• Workforce and skills alignment.
• Learner support systems.
• Training delivery models.
• International skills development approaches.
• Emerging practices in vocational education.
• Strategies for addressing skills shortages.

Projects should focus on approaches that have potential for practical application, scalability, and transferability in South Australia.

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

Each Fellowship provides $15,000 to support international research and travel.

Fellows also receive access to professional development and research support, including:

• Funding for international research and travel.
• Access to international experts.
• One-on-one coaching.
• Monthly Community of Practice meetings.
• Structured support throughout the Fellowship.
• Assistance with completing the Fellowship report.

For small teams of up to two people, each team member can receive $15,000, subject to the programme’s requirements.

Fellowship Duration and Expected Outcomes

Fellows are expected to complete their international research and final reporting within 12 months.

The research should result in practical recommendations that can be applied within the South Australian VET or ACE environment.

The final Fellowship report is expected to include:

• Research findings.
• Practical guidelines.
• Recommendations.
• Potential approaches for implementation.
• Opportunities for wider application within the VET system.

Who Is Eligible?

The Fellowship is specifically designed for professionals working in South Australia’s VET and ACE sectors.

Applicants must:

• Reside in South Australia.
• Be over 18 years of age.
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be employed within the VET sector or an ACE provider.
• Deliver or support training for South Australian students.

Applications can be submitted by individuals or small teams.

Team Applications

Applicants may apply individually or as a team of up to two members.

For eligible two-person teams, each member can receive $15,000, allowing the team to access a combined funding amount of up to $30,000.

Team members should have complementary expertise and clearly defined responsibilities for the proposed research.

What Makes a Strong Research Proposal?

A strong proposal should identify a clear problem or skills gap and explain how international research could provide a practical solution.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A clearly defined research question.
• A strong connection to the South Australian VET or ACE sector.
• Evidence that the proposed approach is relevant to current skills needs.
• Potential benefits for learners and educators.
• Potential benefits for industry.
• Practical opportunities for implementation.
• Scalability or transferability of findings.
• Alignment with relevant government skills priorities.

Alignment With Government Priorities

Projects should align with relevant priorities of the Department of State Development and the National Skills Agreement.

Applicants should therefore explain how their proposed research contributes to broader VET workforce and skills-development objectives.

Priority is given to research that can produce practical outcomes rather than research that remains primarily theoretical.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their application carefully and demonstrate how the proposed international research will create practical benefits for South Australia.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

1. Live in South Australia.
2. Are over 18.
3. Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
4. Work in VET or ACE.
5. Deliver or support training for South Australian students.

Step 2: Identify a Research Problem

Define a specific issue affecting VET or ACE education.

The problem should relate to areas such as teaching, assessment, industry engagement, workforce alignment, skills gaps, or learner support.

Step 3: Identify International Best Practice

Explain what international approach you want to investigate and why it could provide a solution.

The proposed practice should ideally be something that is not currently available or sufficiently implemented in South Australia or Australia.

Step 4: Develop the Research Plan

Describe:

• What you will investigate.
• Where the research will take place.
• Which international experts or organisations you may engage with.
• How the research will be conducted.
• What evidence you expect to collect.
• How findings will be evaluated.

Step 5: Explain the Practical Impact

Clearly explain how the research findings could be transferred to South Australia’s VET or ACE system.

Consider the potential benefits for:

• Students.
• Educators.
• Training providers.
• Employers.
• Industry.
• The broader skills system.

Step 6: Prepare Supporting Documents

The application requires:

• A detailed online application form.
• A comprehensive CV.
• Letters of support.
• An employer endorsement letter.

Ensure that all supporting documents reinforce the research proposal and demonstrate organisational support.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete the online application and provide all required supporting materials before the programme deadline.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Focusing on one clearly defined research problem.
• Identifying a genuine skills or training gap.
• Explaining why international research is necessary.
• Selecting international practices with clear potential for adaptation.
• Providing measurable expected outcomes.
• Demonstrating employer and stakeholder support.
• Connecting the project to government skills priorities.
• Showing how findings could be scaled or transferred.
• Keeping the research practical and implementation-focused.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing research without a clear VET or ACE problem.
• Choosing a topic that has little relevance to South Australia.
• Focusing entirely on academic research rather than practical outcomes.
• Failing to explain why international research is required.
• Providing insufficient evidence of potential impact.
• Submitting weak or incomplete supporting documentation.
• Applying without employer endorsement.
• Failing to demonstrate how research findings could be implemented.
• Proposing a project that cannot realistically be completed within 12 months.

Fellowship Details at a Glance

• Programme: Skills SA International Research Fellowship
• Target group: South Australian VET and ACE educators
• Funding: $15,000 per Fellow
• Team size: Individual or maximum two members
• Team funding: Up to $15,000 per eligible team member
• Research: International applied research
• Duration: Up to 12 months
• Location: South Australia-based applicants with international research activities
• Key focus: VET innovation, skills gaps, teaching, assessment, industry engagement, workforce alignment and learner support
• Key support: International experts, coaching and Community of Practice meetings
• Final output: Fellowship report with practical guidelines and recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Skills SA International Research Fellowship?

It is a Fellowship programme supporting South Australian VET and ACE educators to conduct international applied research and bring useful global practices back to the local training system.

How much funding is available?

Each Fellow can receive $15,000 to support international research and travel.

Can two people apply together?

Yes. Applications may be submitted by small teams of up to two members. Each eligible team member can receive $15,000.

Who can apply?

Applicants must reside in South Australia, be over 18, be Australian citizens or permanent residents, and work in the VET sector or an ACE provider delivering or supporting training for South Australian students.

What can the Fellowship funding support?

The funding supports activities associated with international applied research and travel. Fellows also receive access to international experts, coaching and structured Fellowship support.

How long does the Fellowship last?

Fellows are expected to complete their research and submit the required report within 12 months.

What is the expected outcome of the research?

The research should produce practical findings, guidelines and recommendations that can be applied or adapted within South Australia’s VET and ACE sectors.

Conclusion

The Skills SA International Research Fellowship provides South Australian VET and ACE educators with an opportunity to investigate international approaches to training and bring proven or promising ideas back to the local skills system.

With $15,000 per Fellow, international research and travel support, expert access, coaching and structured reporting assistance, the programme is particularly suited to educators who can identify a specific skills or training challenge and develop a practical research project with potential benefits for learners, educators and industry.

For more information, visit International Specialised Skills Institute.