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Applications for the 2011 intake open on 10 March 2010
and close on 30 June 2010

The Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) aim to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages within the Asia-Pacific, while addressing priority development issues of the region.

The ALA program comprises ALA Scholarships and ALA Fellowships. These awards are for leaders or those who have potential for leadership roles that can influence social and economic reform, both in their own countries and in the Asia-Pacific region.

ALA Scholarships are for study at Masters or Doctorate level in an Australian university. Study programs must relate to a priority development area: disability, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development, water and sanitation. ALA scholars also undertake a Leadership Development Program in Australia.

As ALA Scholarships are an investment in the future of the Asia-Pacific region, ALA scholars are required to return to their home country or the region for two years after they have completed their studies in Australia.

Selection for ALA Scholarships is competitive, based on leadership qualities, academic excellence and potential impact on return home. To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria.

Eligibility criteria for ALA Scholarships
Nationality You must be a citizen of one of these countries, and not hold or be married/engaged to someone who holds Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency (except for nationals of Niue, Tokelau and Cook Islands who also have NZ citizenship) Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia,  Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal,  Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet NamCaribbean: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Middle East: Afghanistan, Iraq

Pacific: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna
Current residence You must be residing in a country other than Australia and applying from outside Australia
Previous scholarships You must not have held a scholarship to study outside your home country in the 24 months preceding the application closing date. For example: the application closing date is 30 June 2010. You would meet this requirement if you arrived home from your overseas study on 30 June 2008.
English proficiency You must have acceptable results from one of these English language proficiency tests, gained no longer than 24 months prior to the opening date of the Scholarship application period.
  • an IELTS Academic Test with a score of at least 6.5 (with no band less than 6), or
  • a TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 580, or
  • a TOEFL computer-based test score of at least 237, or
  • a TOEFL internet-based score of at least 92.
University offer You must have an unconditional offer for a postgraduate course (either Masters or Doctorate) starting in the year for which you are applying for a scholarship, to be undertaken full-time at an Australian campus of one of the participating institutions. Participating institutions

Note: Study programs in Australia (including distance education) that have already commenced will not be supported.

Applying for a scholarship

If you intend to apply, you must read the Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship Handbook available from the ALA Scholarship—Documents Section of this website.

Details: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm