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The Australia Awards are Australian Government sponsored scholarships. The initiative brings together awards from three Australian Government implementing agencies:
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) The Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) and The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR1)
Endeavour Awards are administered by Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) and are available to all Caribbean nationals. ADS, ALA and ALAF are funded and implemented through AusAID the Australian Government agency that manages Australias overseas aid program. In the Caribbean, they are available to nationals of the following countries only2: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname. Australias international development assistance in the Caribbean aims to assist in building Caribbean countries own capacity to progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by helping to reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, natural disasters and economic challenges. Simultaneously, it works to build people-to-people linkages at the individual, institutional and country levels between the Caribbean and Australia. AusAIDs Australia Awards are aligned with Australias development assistance in the Caribbean, targeting human resource gaps in identied priority sectors. They aim to provide awardees with the skills and knowledge to drive change and inuence economic and social development. AusAID will assess applicants on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in the Caribbean. The Australia Awards are oered on the basis of merit, transparency and equal access. We strongly encourage applications from men and women, people with disability, indigenous persons and other marginalised groups.
1 Scholarships administered by The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) are not available to Caribbean nationals. 2 These countries are eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and The Bahamas are not eligible for ODA. 2 Caribbean: Australia Awards Information Pack
Program Aims
Australia Awards, Caribbean is designed to:
Promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and the Caribbean community; Oer a range of opportunities for study and professional development of Caribbean citizens; Showcase Australias cutting-edge capabilities in the education sector; and Demonstrate Australias ongoing commitment to building closer and enduring ties with the Caribbean region.
The Australia Awards, Caribbean initiative seeks to aid the development of:
The capacity and leadership skills of Caribbean nationals so that they can contribute to the development of their home country and region; Caribbean countries own capacity to progress towards the Millennium Development Goals; and People-to-people linkages at the individual, institutional and country levels between the Caribbean and Australia.
The Australian Development Award (ADS) & Australian Leadership Award (ALA)
What is the difference between the ADS & the ALA?
The Australian Development Scholarship is a long-term development scholarship providing eligible citizens with opportunities to obtain postgraduate qualications at Australian tertiary institutions. The study and research opportunities provided by ADS help to develop the skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to the development outcomes of their own country. The Australian Leadership Award is a supplementary award to high performing ADS awardees. Up to 200 outstanding Australian Development Scholarship awardees across the globe will be oered a place in the Leadership for Development Program in addition to their ADS. There is no separate application process. Recipients will be brought together with other Australian Leadership awardees from around the world for leadership training, development discussions and the chance to build valuable networks. As with ADS, selection will be based on the applicants professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential impact on development challenges in their country or region.
Further information on scholarship entitlements may be found in the Scholarships Policy Handbook available at http://ausaid.gov.au/australia-awards/Pages/how-to-apply.aspx
Special conditions
Applicants must also meet the following Caribbean-specific conditions:
If a citizen of Haiti, Cuba, Suriname or the Dominican Republic the applicant will be required to do the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If an individuals Bachelors or Masters was completed in a language other than English (e.g. French, Spanish, Chinese and Dutch) or was pursued in a non-English speaking country the applicant will be required to do an IELTS or TOEFL test. Applicants who fall into the two categories above are required to know whether IELTS or TOEFL testing is available in their home country and the schedule available for these tests. If it is not available in your country, please contact caribeanscholarships@ausaid.gov.au Applicants must fully research their chosen university to ascertain the English requirements of their institution as this may vary from university to university.
Target Groups
The Australia Awards, Caribbean initiative is designed to target: Public sector employees, Academic staff of public universities and Employees of relevant regional development organisations. Preference will be given to applicants from these three sectors. Desired applicant proles are available in PDF format at www.trinidadandtobago. embassy.gov.au/ptsp/study.html
How do I apply?
1. Online applications are preferred and the website is open to the public from February 1st to April 30th 2013 Australian Time Applications or supporting documents received after this date will not be considered. 2. Application is made online via the the Online Australian Scholarships Information System (OASIS) website http://oasis.ausaid.gov.au.
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Applicants will be required to answer questions to establish their eligibility. You will then be given a unique registration number, username and password.
4. Applicants do not need to submit their application immediately. You can use your username and password to enter the system multiple times and update your draft application form and supporting documentation until 30th April 2013. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. 5. 6. Applicants can refer to the Applicant's Online User Manual if you need help: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/2303_50_633_9711_3818.aspx Online applications are preferred. Hardcopy application forms can also be obtained from caribbeanscholarships@ausaid.gov.au. The requirement for full provision of the required certied documentation still applies. The Australian university assessment process is lengthy. In order to avoid delays provide all required documentation in the online application form.
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More information
Further information about AusAIDs Australia Awards can be found at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australiaawards Information about Visas and award entitlements and conditions can be found in the Scholarships Policy Handbook, available at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publicatio ns/Pages/scholar-handbook.aspx More general information about the Australia Awards, AusAID and studying in Australia can be found at: www.australiaawards.gov.au www.ausaid.gov.au http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/ Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Australian High Commission P.O. Box 4640, St. James Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies Further information is available at: Phone: +1 868 822 5450/ 5482 Fax: +1 868 822 5490 Email: caribbeanscholarships@ausaid.gov.au Website: www.trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au
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Potential outcomes
How well the candidates background ts the preferred prole(s) dened for AusAIDs country/regional program objectives (or closest equivalent) How well the candidates proposed course of study and initial reintegration plan match relevant AusAID country/regional program objectives
The Endeavour Awards (EA) is administered by Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).
2. How long after my application will I know whether or not I am successful? Candidates will be alerted as to whether or not they have been successful by September 2013. 3. What areas of study are not available for funding under Australia Awards, Caribbean? Scholarships are not available for: undergraduate medical and veterinary science programs, training in areas related to nuclear technology or ying aircraft, legal workshops, double degrees unless these are included in the original oer and can be completed within the normal time limit for the level of qualication (i.e. two years for Masters, four years for PhD) - courses at the undergraduate level, military training, training of police in counter-subversion method and the suppression of political dissent or intelligence procurement. 4. Can I apply for a scholarship for a university outside Australia? No, you must apply for study at a CRICOS approved Australian institution in Australia. AusAID will also not fund distance or online courses. 5. Can I apply for a second Masters or PhD? No, applicants cannot apply for a second Masters or PhD. 6. Do I apply directly to the Australian university? No, you must apply online http://oasis.ausaid.gov.au stating your choice of university and your area of study in the designated elds. Applicants must carefully research their university choices and provide no less than two (2) university preferences on the online application form.
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There are many providers to choose from so applicants are advised to carefully review the options available. If your dependents have turned 5 years of age, but have not yet turned 18, and are remaining with you in Australia, you will need to provide evidence of enrolment in an Australian school, including payment of any required fees. If you are living in a de facto (common law) relationship, you must provide independent evidence that you have been in the relationship for at least 12 months. Eg: joint bank account statements or billing accounts in joint names Applicants must provide evidence of the relationship between you and your family. Eg: certied copies or notarised copies of birth certicates (including those who are not joining you in Australia) or marriage certicate If any dependent child included in the application is adopted, you must provide certied copies of the adoption papers. Applicants will also need to provide certied copies of documents to verify custody and access arrangements for children under 18 years of age. This will not be required if either parents or legal custodians are included in the application.
10. Is English Language proficiency a requirement for this scholarship? Yes, AusAID will not award a Scholarship unless the applicant has reached, or can reach, the minimum standard of English language required for their chosen course, as determined by their university of choice. English language requirements vary from university to university thus it is important that candidates are aware of the language requirements of their institution. Non-English speaking Caribbean applicants are required to provide current (no older than 6 months) results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). These results must be uploaded to your online application. If an individuals BA or MSc. was completed in a language other than English (e.g. including but not limited to French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch) the applicant will also be required to do an IELTS or TOEFL test. 11. Where can I find more information about Australia in general? Additional information on living in Australia is available at: www.immi.gov.au (the website of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship see also the Beginning a Life in Australia booklets) www.abs.gov.au (Australian Bureau of Statistics) www.gov.au www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
More information on visa requirements can be found at www.immi.gov.au, send email enquiries to www.immi.gov.au/contracts/forms/americas or call Tel: 1 613 216 7603. 9. Can I get an extension on my visa if I want to continue studies in Australia after the completion of my scholarship? No, visa extensions will not be granted. The Australia Awards scholarships are development focused and individuals must return to the region for 2 years as stipulated in the contract. Candidates must also be willing to comply with the regulations set forth by their home government for citizens accessing international scholarships.
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Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Australian High Commission P.O. Box 4640, St. James Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies Further information is available at: Phone: +1 868 822 5450/ 5482 Fax: +1 868 822 5490 Email: caribbeanscholarships@ausaid.gov.au Website: www.trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au
www.australiaawards.gov.au