John Allwright Fellowship

Benefits & funding

• Full tuition fees at the Australian institution.
• A single return economy airfare to and from Australia.
• Establishment allowance: a one-off payment towards accommodation, textbooks and study materials.
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE), paid fortnightly.
• Compulsory Introductory Academic Program before formal study begins.
• Overseas Student Health Cover for the duration of the award.
• Pre-course English tuition where deemed necessary.
• Supplementary academic support, plus a fieldwork allowance for eligible research students.
• Pastoral care, skills training and networking through the JAF Support Facility, delivered with the University of New England; graduates join the ACIAR Alumni network.
• Family members may accompany the awardee in Australia.
• The award runs for the minimum period needed to complete the degree specified; a Master by Research or PhD in Australia normally takes two to four years.
• ACIAR publishes no dollar figures for the allowances; the amounts are set in the Australia Awards scholarship contract.

Eligibility

• Citizens of ACIAR partner countries in Africa, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. India and Myanmar are excluded.
• You must be a citizen of the country in which you are working.
• You must not be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and must not be applying for a visa to live in Australia permanently.
• Employed on a permanent or long-term contract as a scientist or economist.
• Actively involved in an ACIAR research project or small research activity within the last 24 months; earlier involvement does not qualify.
• At least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the proposed postgraduate study.
• An English language test (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) sat within the last six months, or willingness to sit one.
• Endorsement from your employer, referee reports from the Australian and partner-country project leaders, and endorsement from your proposed primary supervisor.
• The study program must be a Master by Research or a PhD; a Master by Coursework is not eligible.
• No age limit applies.
• Awardees must leave Australia for at least two years after completing the scholarship, or they incur a debt for its full accrued cost.

Application process

1. 1
   Check with your ACIAR project leader, or the ACIAR office in your region, that your project involvement meets the 24-month rule.
2. 2
   Choose a participating Australian institution and secure a primary supervisor affiliated with that same institution.
3. 3
   Write the research proposal, showing how it aligns with ACIAR research, what impact it will have when you return home, how it fits your country’s development priorities, and how it addresses gender equity and social inclusion and climate change.
4. 4
   Gather the supporting documents: proof of citizenship and a valid passport, certified degree certificates and transcripts, the employer endorsement letter, referee reports from both project leaders, and the primary supervisor’s endorsement. A CV, English test results and a publication list are recommended additions.
5. 5
   Register and submit through OASIS, the Online Australia Scholarships Information System, inside the 1 February to 30 April window.
6. 6
   If you receive an award, apply for a Student visa (subclass 500). The Department of Home Affairs advises processing can take up to three months.

Program timeline

1. Applications open for the 2027 intake

   Feb 1, 2026

2. Applications close for the 2027 intake

   Apr 30, 2026

3. Next round expected to open — ACIAR states applications run 1 February to 30 April each year

   Feb 1, 2027

4. Next round expected to close

   Apr 30, 2027

5. Study begins in the Australian academic year following the calendar year in which the offer is made