Oz-Dev: Australian Scholarships for Africa Program

This design covers a diversified and expanded program of awards for Africa consistent with the commitments announced. It will increase Australia’s profile in Africa by showcasing expertise in key sectors such as agriculture and mining that are aligned with the priority needs of partner countries. It will help to promote Africa-Australia linkages in other areas of Australian expertise at government, commercial and civil society levels. It will also be able to demonstrate responsiveness to partner government emerging sector priorities.

The improved awards program reflected in the design actively pursues quality, access and equity throughout the award management cycle with a strong emphasis on improving the front-end of award management with clear and effective development targeting, scholar profiling, effective promotion and ability to measure effectiveness. It maximises transparency and accountability in application, short listing and selection. It will ensure a stronger engagement with program alumni.

The new program is to commence on 1 July 2010 and will cover a five-year period ending 2014-2015 (it is expected that an initial contract of three years’ duration will be offered, with an option to extend for a further two years pending further funding approval). Awards to Africa will be expanded to 1,000 awards annually by 2012-13. This is a tenfold increase on current numbers. Current award numbers (traditional scholarships and fellowships) are being scaled up to allow this target to be met. Indicative costings indicate a program budget over the five-year period of around AUD400 million. Within this total, the in-Australia costs for all LTA scholars on award at program commencement and until 30 June 2015 are estimated at some AUD180 million.