Applications are now open for the Australia Awards Africa Scholarships for study commencing in 2027. Funded by the Australian Government, the programme offers fully funded Master’s degrees to mid-career African professionals committed to driving policy reform, institutional strengthening and inclusive development across the continent.
According to the official 2027 intake profile, scholarships are available to citizens of eligible African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others listed in the programme documentation.
About the Scholarship
Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards designed to develop the next generation of African leaders. Through postgraduate study and research at Australian universities, scholars build technical expertise and leadership capacity while strengthening institutional links between Africa and Australia.
For the 2027 intake, awards are offered at Master’s level only.
Priority Fields of Study (2027 Intake)
Applicants must apply in one of the programme’s priority sectors:
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Climate Change
- Foreign Policy and International Security
- Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion
- Mining and Energy
These priority areas are aligned with Africa’s development challenges and Australia’s international development strategy Africa-Profile-2027-Intake
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Scholarship Benefits
Australia Awards Africa provides comprehensive support for the duration of study, including:
- Return international airfare
- Full tuition fees
- Establishment allowance on arrival
- Contribution to living expenses
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Introductory academic programme
- Supplementary academic support
- Fieldwork allowance (where required)
- Reasonable accommodation support for scholars with disabilities
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Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the 2027 intake, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible African country and reside in their country of citizenship (unless working for an African regional organisation or diplomatic mission)
- Be at least 25 years old on 1 February 2027
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Not already hold or be undertaking a Master’s degree
- Have a minimum of five (5) years’ post-graduate work experience in a relevant field
- Be currently employed at the time of application
- Demonstrate a clear plan for how the scholarship will contribute to policy reform or development outcomes in their home country
- Meet minimum English proficiency requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL/PTE scores)
- Satisfy Australian Government visa requirements (Student Visa Subclass 500)
Applicants must also submit:
- Passport copy
- Undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- Curriculum Vitae
- Employer referee report
- Academic referee report
- English test certificate (where applicable)
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(Full documentation requirements are detailed in the official intake guide
Africa-Profile-2027-Intake
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: 1 February 2026
- Applications Close: 30 April 2026 (11:59PM AEST)
Late applications will not be considered.
Selection Criteria
Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview process and will be assessed on:
- Academic competence
- Leadership qualities and professional experience
- Potential to contribute to inclusive development outcomes in Africa
Successful candidates will be notified later in 2026.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online through the Australia Awards Africa OASIS platform.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend an information session before applying and must submit two referee reports using the official template provided by the programme.
For Mid-Career African Professionals
Unlike many postgraduate scholarships that prioritise recent graduates, Australia Awards Africa targets mid-level to senior professionals with demonstrated policy or sectoral impact. The programme is explicitly structured around development outcomes — applicants must show how their proposed study will translate into measurable reform, institutional strengthening, or sectoral transformation in their home country.
For Nigerian professionals — particularly those working in energy, climate, agriculture, governance, or security — this represents a strategic opportunity to acquire globally recognised qualifications while strengthening domestic impact capacity.
