The Australian Leadership Awards - Fellowships are a component of a regional program that aims to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages with developing countries. The Australian Leadership Awards program comprises of Scholarships and Fellowships. ALA Fellowships are for short term study, research and professional attachment programs in Australia delivered by Australian organisations. ALA Fellowships complement the longer term ALA Scholarships providing opportunities to senior officials and mid-career professional who cannot leave their positions for extended periods.
The ALA Fellowships is a highly flexible program that offers Australian organisations opportunities to provide short term study, research and professional development activities in Australia for leaders of mid-career professionals from eligible countries. ALA Fellowships are available across a broad range of fields relevant to Australia's foreign policy agenda or development outcomes.
Applications addressing the priority areas of disability and development, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation are particularly encouraged.
Please ensure all applications are submitted through the Office of Research and Higher Degrees.
Applications are restricted to Australian organisations demonstrating on-going linkages with counterpart overseas organisations in eligible countries -
Eligible Countries
Asia Pacific: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Wallis & Futuna.
Latin America and Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Applications relating to the Palestinian Territories are also eligible
Australian organisations from a wide range of academic, research, business, industry, media, NGOs, professional groups and government may apply to host ALA fellows. To qualify, organisations will be required to demonstrate region-specific linkages and the relevance of the proposed programs to the priority areas.
Partner country counterpart organisations and individual fellows are not eligible to apply for support, however they may initiate contact with an Australian organisation to explore their interest in applying.
- Round 6 opened on 1 July 2025 and will close at 5pm AEST on Wednesday 12 August 2025.
Please note recent additions to the list of eligible countries. - Round 7 will open on 2 November 2025 and close at 5 pm on Friday 11 December 2025.
Fellows - Prospective Fellows identified by Australian organisations must be professionals already in leadership positions or have a potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes.
Individuals may consider applying for Endeavour Executive Awards [external website] or other study opportunities available underAustralian Scholarships [external website].
Application information and forms
ALA Fellowships will be awarded to Australian organisations through a one-step competitive grant process. Strong linkages between organisations and the leadership ability of fellows will be important criteria.
ALAF Nomination Form [XLS 18KB]
ALAF Round 6 Application Form [PDF 183KB]
ALAF Round 6 Application Form [DOC 323KB]
ALAF Round 6 Submission Guidelines [PDF 166KB]
ALAF Round 6 Submission Guidelines [DOC 393KB]
Further information
If the material on this website does not provide the necessary help, please direct all enquiries to: [email protected]
See also: ALA Fellowships Factsheet [PDF 54KB]
Useful links [external]
- Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Australian Customs
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