[Australia] The Endeavour Executive Awards Scholarships

Overview

The Endeavour Executive Awards aim to:

- Enable high achieving professionals to further develop their skills and knowledge;
- Deepen professional engagements between Australia and participating countries;
- Strengthen mutual understanding between the people of Australia and participating countries; and
- Build linkages and networks between Australia and participating countries.

Award Description

The Endeavour Executive Awards are two-way, providing professional development opportunities for high achievers in business, industry, education or government from participating countries - e.g. secondary school principals working side by side with their colleagues in counterpart schools. They allow professionals the opportunity, on returning home, to share their updated skills and knowledge with colleagues. They will also establish ongoing linkages and networks.

Along with applications from individuals, DEST will accept nominations from organisations for one or more people to be considered for an Endeavour Executive Award.

The Endeavour programme will fund over 830 Endeavour Executive Awards over the five years 2007 to 2011.

Number of awards

- Up to 92 awards will be offered in 2007:
- up to 41 awards to professionals coming to Australia; and
- up to 51 awards to Australian professionals.

The awards will be allocated from the total pool of applicants from the participating countries.

Participating countries

Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau SARs), Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kiribati, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea (South), Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Turkey, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, and Yemen.

Value of awards

Up to A$25,000, with stipend paid monthly on a pro-rata basis. Benefits include:
- a travel allowance of A$5,000;
- an establishment allowance of A$5,000; and
- a monthly stipend of A$3,750 for up to four months.
Funds are not available to support accompanying dependants.

Award duration

Awards are for one to four months' duration.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for an award, Applicants must:

- be citizens or permanent residents of one of the participating countries, and physically resident in that country at time of application (Applicants, or those nominated, who hold dual citizenship with the intended host country are ineligible for an award, as one of the main objectives of the Endeavour Programme is to provide an international experience to those who may not otherwise have had that opportunity);

- have at least an undergraduate degree; and

- demonstrate English language proficiency by either having:

- completed university study conducted in English in one of the following countries:

American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or Zambia; or

- providing a letter of support from an Education, Science and Training Counsellor representing the Australian Government. The letter of support may be obtained by contacting a Counsellor (in person or via telephone) and undergoing a brief interview. A list of Counsellors is available here.

Selection criteria

In evaluating applications/nominations, the following criteria will be applied:

- high-level academic achievement, and/or at least five (5) years relevant work experience;
- a well thought out statement describing the benefits of undertaking the chosen professional development that, ideally, is relevant to the applicant’s needs and interests and those of the applicant's home country;
- demonstrated progress towards arranging a suitable programme of professional development in host country;
- the applicant’s or nominated candidates’ potential to participate at a high level in their profession or the wider community on their return home from abroad; and
- the potential for ongoing links between the host and home organisations.

Selection process

Applications are first reviewed to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements. A selection panel will consider eligible applications and make recommendations to DEST for final approval.

Feedback concerning unsuccessful applications

DEST will not provide feedback as to why applicants or nominations were not selected. The final selection and procedures to achieve the outcome are at the discretion of the selection panel and DEST, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Application / nomination process

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.

Applications will be received electronically by DEST and a selection panel will consider the applications. Applicants who are unable to submit their application electronically will be able to submit an application by post. Along with applications from individual applicants, DEST will accept nominations from organisations for one or more people. In addition to the application form, applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation:

Signed statutory declaration stating that all information contained in the application/nomination and supporting documentation is true and correct. Note that:
the application/nomination 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

A certified copy of current passport/s 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 law of the home country. An officer of an Australian consulate is also suitable for these purposes;

Proof of English language proficiency. This must be either evidence of having completed university study conducted in English in one of the following countries:
American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or Zambia; or

providing a letter of support from an Education, Science and Training Counsellor representing the Australian Government. The letter of support may be obtained by contacting a Counsellor (in person or via telephone) and undergoing a brief interview. A list of Counsellors is available here

Academic record/s, carrying the endorsement from the education 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 from the host organisation. This may be in the form of communication with your proposed host organisation or acceptance of affiliation with your host organisation.

Employment record (C.V) for the past five (5) years;

Nomination Form (if being nominated for the award by your home organisation).
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

Please use and download the attached application form. Late applications or late supporting documentation will not be considered. If you have been nominated by your home organisation please download the nomination form to attach with your application.

When you are ready to apply (with a completed application form), please refer to Apply for an Endeavour Award page for detailed application submission procedures.

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