Media release

20 April 2016                                                                                                                                                                         PA-CN/16/12

South India’s ‘Best and Brightest’ Encouraged to Apply for Australia’s Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships

The Australian Minister for International Education, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, announced yesterday the opening for applications of the 2017 Round of Australia’s prestigious Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships.

“Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships provide high-achieving individuals from around the world the opportunity to undertake an international study, research or professional development experience at the post-graduate or post-doctoral level,” the Australian Consul-General for South India, Mr Sean Kelly, explained.  “They are essentially the Australian equivalent of a Fulbright Award.”

Last year, some 500 Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships were granted to applicants from around the world, with India taking the largest share of the Awards.   Information about the Endeavour Awards can be found at www.internationaleducation.gov.au/endeavour.   Applications close 30 June 2016.

“South India, with some of the country’s leading universities and top students, should be strongly represented in the successful applicants,” Mr Kelly commented.  “I encourage the best and brightest from southern India to apply for these generous awards.”

“Research links with the south of India are already strong,” Mr Kelly added.  “Five of the six grants from the most recent round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund were won by south Indian institutions.”

“With seven of the world’s top 100 universities, Australia offers world-class facilities and an outstanding academic environment within which researchers can excel,” he explained.  “Australian universities boast leaders in many areas of research, ranging from biomedical sciences to photovoltaics, quantum computing to astronomy.”

“Students or researchers considering applying for an Endeavour Award might find it useful to speak with Indians who have previously studied in Australia, including former Endeavour awardees, about their experience in Australia,” Mr Kelly suggested.  “There are Australian Alumni Association India chapters in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad that could help.”

Enquiries to the Australian Alumni Association can be sent to: [email protected].