Overview
The Endeavour Asia Awards aim to:
    * enable high achieving students from Asia to undertake study or research in Australia;
    * strengthen bilateral ties between Australia and participating countries;
    * showcase Australia's education sector within the region;
    * strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of participating countries;
    * further develop Award holders' knowledge and skills in their field of study; and
    * build international linkages and networks.

Award description
The Endeavour Asia Awards provide financial support for postgraduatestudents from designated Asian countries to undertake, in any field ofstudy:
    * an Australian higher degree; or
    * research in Australia towards a higher degree in their home country.

Allocation and number of awards
Allocation of awards is as follows: India (1), Indonesia (1), Republicof Korea (2), Malaysia (2), Singapore (1), Taiwan (2), Thailand (2) andVietnam (1). Two further awards will be made from the total pool ofapplicants from these countries.

Value of awards
Awards are valued at up to A$50,000. Benefits include:
    * travel allowance of A$5,000;
    * establishment allowance of A$5,000; and
    * a monthly stipend of A$3,333 for up to 12 months.

Funds are not available to support accompanying dependants.

Award duration
Award holders must spend a minimum of one semester (four months) and amaximum of three years in Australia. The Award must be taken up anytimeduring 2006. Funding is for the first year only.

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for an Award, applicants must:
    * be citizens or permanent residents of the designated country, andphysically resident in that country, at the time of application (thoseholding dual citizenship or Permanent Residents of Australia are noteligible to apply);
    * have an undergraduate degree; and
    * demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English -
          o an IELTS score of at least 6.5 in the Academic Test or aTOEFL score of at least 580, including a score of at least 4.5 in theTest of Written English (TWE), or
          o a score of atleast 230 in the computer-based TOEFL, including an Essay Rating scoreof at least 4.5.

The test score must have been achieved no longer than two years priorto the time of application. The ONLY applicants who do not have toprovide an up-to-date TOEFL/IELTS test score are those from Englishspeaking countries and those who have successfully achieved a degreetaught in English.

Applicants who have already commenced studies/research at their host institution are ineligible for an award.

Application process
Instructions on completing an application
1. Read the following instructions carefully before commencing, in particular:
    * establish your eligibility;
    * understand the conditions of the award;
    * ensure that your application is accurate and complete; and
    * restrict your answers to the given length.

2. Complete the application package
The application must be in English and type-written using the application form provided below.

There are two parts to the application package:
a) application form, which is to be lodged with DEST by email at endeavour.australia-asia@dest.gov.au; and

b) supporting documentation, which is to be faxed to DEST on +61 2 6123 7964.

Required supporting documentation includes:
    * Signed statutory declaration stating that all informationcontained in the application and supporting documentation is true andcorrect. You should note that:
          o the application is being made to a Commonwealth entity, theDepartment of Education, Science and Training (DEST), for a benefit, and
          o giving falseor misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code(Commonwealth).
    * A certified copy of your current passport or other approvedequivalent documentation showing evidence of citizenship or permanentresidence, this must be authorised or stamped "True copy of theoriginal" by a personal agency recognised by the law of your homecountry. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitable forthese purposes;
    * Proof of English language proficiency with the inclusion of theresults of an IELTS academic test or a TOEFL test, which meet theminimum requirements (outlined in Conditions of Awards). The ONLYstudents exempt from providing a test score are those from Englishspeaking countries or those students who have completed a degreeconducted in English;
    * Your academic record, carrying the endorsement from theinstitution, showing the subjects and standard of pass with each, withan explanation of the marking system. Also include a certified Englishtranslation if necessary, this must be authorised or stamped "True copyof the original" by a personal agency recognised by the law of yourhome country. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitablefor these purposes;
    * Three referees' reports using the form provided and an Englishtranslation if required. The English translation must be authorised orstamped "True copy of the original" by a personal agency recognised bythe law of your home country. An officer of an Australian consulate isalso suitable for these purposes. The Referee Reports can be faxed bythe referee directly to DEST or returned to you to be submitted withthe other supporting documentation;
    * Evidence of support for your affiliation or admission from theAustralian host institution. This may be in the form of communicationwith your proposed supervisor or confirmation of acceptance oraffiliation with the host institution.

3. Complete the application checklist included at the end of theapplication form to ensure that your application is complete.Ineligible applications will not be considered and an incompleteapplication will disadvantage applicants. DEST will not follow up withapplicants any missing documentation.

Lodging an application
Applications are now being sought until the closing date of 16 September 2005. Applications should be submitted online by using the attached Application form (MS Word 430 KB). Late applications or supporting documentation will not be considered.

The two-step application process requires the:
    * completed application form to be lodged by email at endeavour.australia-asia@dest.gov.au ; and the
    * supporting documentation faxed to +61 2 6123 7964  

For those applicants who are unable to submit their application electronically, you are required to submit the following:
    * One (1) original application form and three (3) additional copies of the application form; and
    * One (1) original certified set of all Supporting Documentationand three (3) additional copies of the Supporting Documentation.

The completed Application Package should be mailed to:

The Endeavour Programme
South, SE Asia, Middle East and Scholarships
International Cooperation Branch (442)
Australian Education International
DEST
Level 4, 72 Northbourne Avenue
GPO Box 9880
CANBERRA  ACT  2601
AUSTRALIA

Feedback concerning unsuccessful applications
Feedback will not be provided as to why applicants were not selected.Each year the number of well qualified applicants greatly outnumbersthe scholarships available. Final selection and the procedures toachieve this selection are at the discretion of the selection panel andDEST and no correspondence will be entered into.

Selection Criteria
In evaluating applications, the following criteria will be applied:
    * a record of high-level academic achievement in the applicant's chosen field of study;
    * a well defined study or research programme, or a well thought out proposal for professional development;
    * a proposal that, ideally, is relevant to the needsand interests of Australia and the applicant's home country;
    * demonstrated progress towards receiving admissionor affiliation with an Australian higher education institution;
    * the applicant's potential to participate at a high level in theacademic or wider community in his/her home country on return fromAustralia; and
    * the potential for ongoing collaboration with Australia in his/her field of expertise on returning home.

Selection process
Applications are first reviewed to determine whether they meet theeligibility requirements. A selection panel will be formed to considereligible applications and make its recommendations to DEST for finalapproval.

Significant dates
Opening of competition :9 May 2005
Closing date: 16 September 2005
Selection panel meets:  End October 2005
Awards announced: Mid November 2005

Awards must be taken up during 2006 Australian academic year

Conditions of awards
Certain conditions and limitations apply to the awards, which must be observed by all award holders. They are outlined below.
    * Award holders must undertake:
          o degree studies for an Australian masters by research or coursework; or
          o an Australian doctorate degree; or
          o research inAustralia towards a masters degree in the award holder's home country;or
          o research inAustralia towards a doctorate degree in the award holder's homecountry.
    * Awards must be taken up in the academic year following selection. Awards cannot be deferred.
    * It is the responsibility of award holders to confirm enrolment oraffiliation with the host institution. An award is conditional upongaining entry to an Australian higher education institution.
    * Award holders are required to undertake a medical examination tosatisfy health requirements for the issue of a visa for entry intoAustralia.
    * Award holders are required to maintain Overseas Student HealthCover (OSHC) while in Australia to satisfy requirements for the issueof a visa for entry into Australia.
    * Should an award holder be prevented for any reason from taking uptheir award within a reasonable timeframe, DEST may, at its absolutediscretion, withdraw the offer of an award.
    * It is the responsibility of successful candidates to apply forand satisfy the requirements for the issue of an appropriate entry visato Australia. The offer of an award does not guarantee the granting ofa visa.
    * Award holders must follow the approved programme and abide by the rules of the host institution.
    * Award holders are expected to reside in Australia throughout theaward period and to seek prior approval for any overseas visits fromboth the host institution and Scholarships Administrator (thecontractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme).
    * Any changes to the successful candidate's programme or itinerarymust have the prior approval of Scholarships Administrator (thecontractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme).
    * The host institution will notify Scholarships Administrator (thecontractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme) of anycircumstances, which could lead to the suspension of an award. Stipendsare not payable during suspensions, including suspension due to illness.
    * The award may be terminated at any time for misconduct, forbreaches of the conditions of the award, or for failure to makesatisfactory academic progress. Academic progress will be assessedagainst academic reports provided by the host institution and theprogramme outlined in the award holder's application.
    * Award holders are expected to return to their home country at thecompletion of their study/research programme in Australia.

Holding other scholarships
Award holders are permitted to hold other scholarships, including theEndeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS). Itis the responsibility of award holders to check the conditions placedon other scholarships that they may be offered, before accepting thoseawards.

Part-time employment
Award holders are permitted to undertake up to 20 hours per weekpart-time employment at their host institution in a teaching orresearch capacity, subject to approval from the Department ofImmigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). Please checkyour visa conditions for entitlements in working in Australia,www.dimia.gov.au  You are now leaving the DEST website. Those wantingto work in Australia will need to seek supervisor, scholarshipadministrator and DIMIA approval and apply for permission to work afterarrival in Australia.

Enquiries
For further information about this Award please contact endeavour.scholarships@dest.gov.au

Reference:
2006 Endeavor Asia Award