Bangladesh

Information for awards commencing in 2014

Australia Awards in Bangladesh

Priority sectors

Bangladeshs strong economic performance is not yet

benefiting the population equally. While progress
against development indicators over the last 20 years in
Bangladesh has been impressive, poverty levels remain
high at 43 per cent of the population. Australias aid
program to Bangladesh will focus on areas in which we
have experience, credibility and the potential to make
the greatest impact. Our core sectors will be education,
health, social protection and climate change. These
have been identified as some of the most critical areas
affecting further development progress in Bangladesh.

The priority areas of study for AusAIDs Australia Awards

in Bangladesh are:

Development Awards are administered by the

Australian Agency for International Development
(AusAID) and align with Australias development
assistance in Bangladesh, targeting human resource
gaps in priority sectors. The Awards aim to provide
successful applicants with the skills and knowledge to
drive change and influence economic and social
development.
AusAID will assess applicants for their professional and
personal qualities, academic competence and, most
importantly, their potential to impact on development
challenges in Bangladesh.
AusAID offers awards on the basis of merit,
transparency and equal access. We strongly encourage
applications from women, people with disability, and
people from ethnic minority groups.
At least 50 per cent of AusAIDs Australia Awards are
offered to women.
Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

Government of Bangladesh:
For details please click on this link:
http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/gob
For 2014 Intake, a select number of scholarships will be
given to Government of Bangladesh health sector
professionals. For details, click on this link:
http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/gob/health
ICDDR,B: For details, click on this link:
http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/icddrb
BRAC: For details, click on this link:
http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/brac
Ethnic Minority: For details, click on this link:
http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/indigenous

Level of study
Australia Awards Scholarships (formerly Australian
Development Scholarship)
These are long-term scholarships providing citizens of
Bangladesh with opportunities to obtain postgraduate
qualifications at Australian tertiary institutions. The
scholarships enable awardees to develop higher
professional and technical knowledge and build links
with individuals and institutions within the region and
Australia.

January 2013

In Bangladesh, the Australia Awards Scholarships are

targeted to employees in the Government of
Bangladesh to assist with developing the human
resources base of the Bangladesh Civil Service. For 2014
Intake, Government of Bangladesh health professionals
are encouraged to apply. The awards also target staff
from ICDDR,B and BRAC to develop skills, expertise and
the broader indigenous population of Bangladesh.
Scholarships are offered at Masters level only.
Australia Awards Leadership Program (formerly Australian
Leadership Award Scholarship)
Up to 200 outstanding Australia Awards Scholarship
recipients across the globe will be offered a place in the
Leadership for Development Program in addition to
their scholarship. There is no separate application
process for the program.
The Leadership Program will bring awardees together in
Australia for leadership training, development
discussions and the chance to build valuable networks.

Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements
detailed in the Scholarships Policy Handbook, available
at:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/scholarhandbook.aspx
In addition, applicants must also meet the following
requirements, specific to Bangladesh:
An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5 with
no band less than 6.0 (or TOEFL paper-based test
score of at least 580, or computer-based score of at
least 237 or an internet-based score of at least 92).
Scores must be valid at 1 January 2014 and must be
submitted with applications.
Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

Women, applicants with disabilities and ethnic

minority applicants, will be considered with an
overall IELTS band of at least 6.0 with no band less
than 5.5. If applicants from these groups submit
applications with lower IELTS or TOEFL scores, they
must meet the standard English language
requirement of their course, if offered an Australia
Award.
Applicants must have at least two years work
experience in a field relevant to their proposed
course of study.

Special conditions
Applicants must also meet the following country specific
conditions:

Recipients of awards are required to return to

Bangladesh for at least two years after
completing their studies.

Awards for 2014 must be taken up in that year.

They cannot be transferred to a future year.

Application dates (for study commencing in

Australia in 2014)
Opening date:
Closing date:

1 February 2013
30 April 2013

Applications or supporting documents received after

this date will not be considered.

The application process

Online applications
Apply online at: http://oasis.ausaid.gov.au
We strongly advise applicants to apply online and to do so
well before the closing date. The online application facility
January 2013

(OASIS) experiences peak usage in the days leading up to

the closing date and applicants may experience delays.
Hardcopy applications
If it is not possible to lodge an application online,
contact the Bangladesh SASP office for assistance for a
hard-copy of the application forms. This needs to be
done well in advance of the application deadline.

Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

January 2013

Supporting documents

applications)

To meet eligibility requirements, the following

documents must be uploaded with application forms.
Some must be notarized. Check with the Bangladesh
SASP office to clarify required documents and
notarization requirements.
Document type

OASIS type

Notarized

Passport

Proof of
citizenship

Yes

Tertiary degree
certificates (Bachelors and
Masters level)

Degree Certificate

Yes

Academic grades
(Bachelors and Masters
level)

Academic
Transcript

Yes

IELTS or TOEFL certificates

Proof of English
language
proficiency

Yes

Certificate of special
achievements or merit

Other Document

Yes

Academic Referee Reports

(with seal: 2 reports for
Masters by Research
applicants; 1 for Masters
by Coursework applicants)

Referee Report

No

Employment Referee
report (with seal( Same
template as above)

Referee Report

Curriculum Vitae

Other Document

No

Research proposal
for Masters by research

Other Document

No

Development Impact Plan

(DIP)

The selection process involves the following stages:

applications are screened against the published
eligibility criteria;
eligible applications are assessed independently for
academic qualifications, supporting statements,
contribution to development in Bangladesh, English
language proficiency and work experience;
successful applicants are short-listed for interview
by a panel comprising representatives from AusAID,
Government of Bangladesh and an independent
consultant. Applicants also complete a writing
exercise.

Further information
Further information about AusAIDs Australia Awards
can be found at:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australia-awards
The following websites provide valuable information
background and preparatory information about the
Australia Awards and studying in Australia.

Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

No

The selection process

No

Other document

Australia Awards:
http://www.australiaawards.gov.au/
AusAID: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/
Handbook: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australiaawards/Pages/how-to-apply.aspx
Studying in Australia:
http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/
Visa requirements: http://www.immi.gov.au
Study programs and universities offering courses
available to international students:
http://cricos.deewr.gov.au
January 2013

IELTS examinations: http://www.ielts.org/

TOEFL test options: http://www.ets.org/toefl

For specific information about application processes,

visit the South Asia Scholarships Program (SASP)
website at:
www.southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh

Contact details
Organisation:

Address:
Telephone:
Mobile:

South Asia Scholarships Program

(SASP)
Coffey International DevelopmentLiaison Office
5th Floor, Plot # 4,
Road # 12, Block-J, Baridhara
(880) 8826154, 8824416
01730338495

Email: bangladesh@southasiascholarships.org
Website: http://www.southasiascholarships.org

Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

January 2013