Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of local, national and global leaders. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
At the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2024, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced a further five-year commitment to support the resilience and prosperity of the Mekong subregion through the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP). MAP aims to support a resilient and inclusive Mekong subregion that pursues joint solutions to shared and transboundary challenges.
From 2026, MAP will fund additional Australia Awards Scholarships for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar at postgraduate (Masters) level to undertake coursework or research in MAP thematic areas. Recipients will have exclusive access to the Mekong-Leaders Network. The priority areas of study include:
- Water Security
- Climate Action
- Transnational Crime
- Economic Resilience and Subregional Integration
- Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)
Applications are strongly encouraged from women and people living with disability.
Benefits
All Australia Awards Scholarships are offered for the minimum period necessary for the individual to complete the academic program specified by the Australian education institution, including any preparatory training.
Scholarship recipients will receive the following:
- return air travel;
- a one-off establishment allowance on arrival;
- full tuition fees;
- contribution to living expenses;
- introductory academic program;
- overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship;
- supplementary academic support;
- fieldwork allowance for research students and masters by coursework which has a compulsory fieldwork component;
- all costs associated with the on-award enrichment program: the Mekong Leaders Network.
MAP on-award enrichment: the Mekong-Leaders Network
The MAP-funded scholarships offer exclusive access to an on-award enrichment program: the Mekong-Leaders Network. This dynamic program will include activities, events and development opportunities that foster enduring connections between MAP scholars across the Mekong subregion to cultivate a collaborative cohort and set the foundations for a strong future alumni network.
Online applications
Citizens from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar should follow the same application procedure as the 2026 intake for the Australia Awards Scholarships for your country. All applications must be lodged online through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System.
For further information, please visit Australia Awards Scholarships.
Application dates
For study commencing in Australia in 2026:
Opening date: 1 February 2025
Closing date: 30 April 2025 (11:59PM AEST)
Applications and/or supporting documents received after the closing date will not be considered.
The selection process
- Applications will be shortlisted after eligibility checking.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
- The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
- academic competence;
- potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Thailand and the Mekong subregion; and
- professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience.
- Successful candidates will be notified in late 2025.
- Awardee travel will be subject to meeting the requirements imposed by the Australian Government, as determined by the federal Department of Education and by the relevant Australian State or Territory governments.
More information
For enquiries relating to the application process, email mekongscholarships@dfat.gov.au.