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.
The Endeavour Asia Awards provide financial support for postgraduate students from designated Asian countries to undertake, in any field of study:
an Australian higher degree; or
research in Australia towards a higher degree in their home country.
Allocationof awards is as follows: India (1), Indonesia (1), Republic of Korea(2), Malaysia (2), Singapore (1), Taiwan (2), Thailand (2) and Vietnam(1). Two further awards will be made from the combined pool ofapplicants from these countries.
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 holders must spend a minimum of one semester (four months) and a maximum of three years in Australia. The Award must be commenced anytime during 2006. Funding is for the first year only.
To be eligible for an Award, applicants must:
be citizens or permanent residents of the designated country, and physically resident in that country, at the time of application (those holding dual Australian citizenship or Permanent Residents of Australia are not eligible to apply);
have an undergraduate degree; and
demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English �
an IELTS score of at least 6.5 in the Academic Test or at least a TOEFL score of at least 580, including a score of at least 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE), or
a score of at least 230 in the computer-based TOEFL, including an Essay Rating score of at least 4.5.
The test score must have been achieved no longer than two years prior to the time of application. The ONLY applicants who do not have to provide an up-to-date TOEFL/IELTS test score are those from English speaking countries and those who have successfully achieved a degree taught in English.
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 an electronic Application form (to be made available from this webpage on 9 May 2005).
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 information contained in the application and supporting documentation is true and correct. You should note that:
the application is being made to a Commonwealth entity, the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), for a benefit, and
giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code (Commonwealth).
A certified copy of your current passport or other approved equivalent documentation showing evidence of citizenship or permanent residence, this must be authorised or stamped "True copy of the original" by a personal agency recognised by the law of your home country. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitable for these purposes;
Proof of English language proficiency with the inclusion of the results of an IELTS academic test or a TOEFL test, which meet the minimum requirements (outlined in Conditions of Awards). The ONLY students exempt from providing a test score are those from English speaking countries or those students who have completed a degree conducted in English;
Your academic record, carrying the endorsement from the institution, showing the subjects and standard of pass with each, with an explanation of the marking system. Also include a certified English translation if necessary, this must be authorised or stamped "True copy of the original" by a personal agency recognised by the law of your home country. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitable for these purposes;
Three referees� reports using the form provided and an English translation if required. The English translation must be authorised or stamped "True copy of the original" by a personal agency recognised by the law of your home country. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitable for these purposes. The Referee Reports can be faxed by the referee directly to DEST or returned to you to be submitted with the other supporting documentation;
Evidence of support for your affiliation or admission from the Australian host institution. This may be in the form of communication with your proposed supervisor or confirmation of acceptance or affiliation with the host institution.
3. Complete the application checklist included at the end of the application form to ensure that your application is complete. Ineligible applications will not be considered and an incomplete application will disadvantage applicants. DEST will not follow up with applicants any missing documentation.
Lodging an application
Applications should be submitted online. An application form will be available from the application opening date of 9 May 2005 until the closing date of 16 September 2005. 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
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 outnumbers the scholarships available. Final selection and the procedures to achieve this selection are at the discretion of the selection panel and DEST and no correspondence will be entered into.
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 needs and interests of Australia and the applicant�s home country;
demonstrated progress towards receiving admission or affiliation with an Australian higher education institution;
the applicant�s potential to participate at a high level in the academic or wider community in his/her home country on return from Australia; and
the potential for ongoing collaboration with Australia in his/her field of expertise on returning home.
Applications are first reviewed to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements. A selection panel will be formed to consider eligible applications and make its recommendations to DEST for final approval.
| 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 |
Certain conditions and limitations apply to the awards, which must be observed by all award holders. They are outlined below.
Award holders must undertake:
degree studies for an Australian masters by research or coursework; or
an Australian doctorate degree; or
research in Australia towards a masters degree in the award holder's home country; or
research in Australia towards a doctorate degree in the award holder�s home country.
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 or affiliation with the host institution. An award is conditional upon gaining entry to an Australian higher education institution.
Award holders are required to undertake a medical examination to satisfy health requirements for the issue of a visa for entry into Australia.
Award holders are required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) while in Australia to satisfy requirements for the issue of a visa for entry into Australia.
Should an award holder be prevented for any reason from taking up their award within a reasonable timeframe, DEST may, at its absolute discretion, withdraw the offer of an award.
It is the responsibility of successful candidates to apply for and satisfy the requirements for the issue of an appropriate entry visa to Australia. The offer of an award does not guarantee the granting of a 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 the award period and to seek prior approval for any overseas visits from both the host institution and Scholarships Administrator (the contractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme).
Any changes to the successful candidate�s programme or itinerary must have the prior approval of Scholarships Administrator (the contractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme).
The host institution will notify Scholarships Administrator (the contractor appointed by DEST to administer the award programme) of any circumstances, which could lead to the suspension of an award. Stipends are not payable during suspensions, including suspension due to illness.
The award may be terminated at any time for misconduct, for breaches of the conditions of the award, or for failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Academic progress will be assessed against academic reports provided by the host institution and the programme outlined in the award holder�s application.
Award holders are expected to return to their home country at the completion of their study/research programme in Australia.
Award holders are permitted to hold other scholarships, including the Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS). It is the responsibility of award holders to check the conditions placed on other scholarships that they may be offered, before accepting those awards.
Award holders are permitted to undertake up to 20 hours per week part-time employment at their host institution in a teaching or research capacity, subject to approval from the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). Please check your visa conditions for entitlements in working in Australia, www.dimia.gov.au. Those wanting to work in Australia will need to seek supervisor, scholarship administrator and DIMIA approval and apply for permission to work after arrival in Australia.
For further information about this Award please contact endeavour.scholarships@dest.gov.au
Source: http://dest.gov.au/International/Awards/end_ausasi.htm
