Open Call: Australia Awards Scholarship Program in Bhutan

Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders in developing countries. Through study and research, recipients develop the skills and knowledge to drive change and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.

Applicants are assessed on their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Bhutan. Applications are strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.

Focus Areas

• The priority areas of study for Bhutan are:
  • Agricultural Innovation (Production, Processing, Marketing, Storage, Transportation)
  • Business Analytics
  • Computer Science and Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Data
  • Science, Machine Learning)
  • Creative Arts and Industries (including Film Making and Television Production)
  • Design Studies (including Interior Architecture, Sustainable Design, Urban Design)
  • Economics (including Development Economics, Financial Economics, International Economics)
  • Human Resource Management
  • Law (including Dispute Resolution, Environmental Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, International Laws)
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Media and Journalism (including Digital Journalism, Documentary Film Making & Journalism, Multimedia Journalism)
  • Mental Health (Rehabilitation Counselling and Mental Health, Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health in Education, etc)
  • Mining & Production (including Geophysics and Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Ore Deposit Geology)
  • Special Education
  • Statistics
  • Tourism and Hospitality Management

Benefits

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates from Bhutan must also meet the following conditions:
  • Qualification and work experience:
    • A four-year bachelor’s degree and minimum three years’ relevant full-time work experience earned after the bachelor’s degree; or
    • A three-year bachelor’s degree with at least a year of postgraduate diploma with a minimum of three years’ relevant full-time work experience. If applicants do not have a postgraduate diploma, a letter of offer from an Australian university is required for a master’s program on offer for study commencing in 2026; and
    • Fit the target applicant profile of a field of study advertised for study commencing in 2026; and
    • Provide an employer nomination letter from the Human Resource Officer of the parent organisation/agency. In addition, applicants under the purview of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development must also submit a nomination letter from the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development.
  • English language test score and validity:
    • Applicants must have achieved an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score less than 6.0), or an equivalent TOEFL or PTE Academic score;
    • English language test scores must be valid on 1 January 2026. However, if an institution requires a different test validity timeframe, applicants must meet the institution’s requirements.

Selection Criteria

• The selection process includes an interview. Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:
  • academic competence
  • professional and personal leadership attributes including relevant work experience
  • potential outcome, specifically the contribution to development outcomes in Bhutan.

For more information, visit Australian Government.