The Endeavour Executive Awards provide individuals with a unique opportunity to take the next step in their career.
“The Australian Endeavour Award has been a beneficial experience for me professionally… identifying potential for furthering international linkages and collaboration in my field of my expertise.” Hamid Ahmad, Pakistan
The Endeavour Executive Awards provide professional development opportunities (e.g. intensive management training, peer-to-peer learning, short-term training, leadership and/or executive management training) for high achievers in business, industry, education or government from participating countries. The awards focus on building skills and knowledge through a host work environment rather than through formal enrolment in a study program at a host institution and are not intended to fund direct academic research.
Applicants must be nominated by either their home organisation or host organisation. The professional development activity must not have a commercial outcome as its purpose. Host organisations for international Executive Award applicants cannot include Australian branches of the applicant's home organisation.
A home or host organisation may nominate up to 5 applicants.
The Endeavour Executive Awards aim to:
- enable high achieving professionals to further develop their skills and knowledge
- deepen professional engagements between Australia and participating countries
- strengthen mutual understanding between the people of Australia and Award Holders’ home countries
- build linkages and networks between Australia and participating countries
- allow professionals the opportunity, on returning home, to share their updated skills and knowledge with colleagues.
| Funding | Amount |
| Travel Allowance | $AUD5,000 |
| Establishment Allowance | $AUD5,000 |
| Monthly Stipend (up to 4 months on a pro-rata basis) | $AUD2,500 per month |
| Total Award Value | Up to $AUD20,000 |
Travel and health insurance is also provided.
Funds are not available to support accompanying dependants or for return visits to Australia.
In addition to the financial benefits the Endeavour Executive Awards also include:
- A dedicated support network for the duration of the award.
- Membership of the Alumni network.
To be eligible for an Endeavour Executive Award, applicants must:
- be citizens or permanent residents of a participating country and reside in a country other than Australia. Those holding dual Australian citizenship or permanent residency status in Australia are ineligible to apply.
- have a completed undergraduate degree and at least 5 years professional work experience or applicants not holding a completed undergraduate degree will need to demonstrate at least 10 years relevant work experience
- demonstrate English language proficiency
- be nominated by either their home organisation or the host organisation
- have confirmation of acceptance or affiliation with the host organisation
- spend a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 4 months at their host organisation. The professional development activity must be taken in one block, it cannot be broken into two or more visits to the host country
- Award holders must commence their approved program and award during 2009. Applicants who have commenced or intend to commence their program at their host organisation in 2008 are ineligible for an award.
Applicants will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
- high-level academic achievement and at least 5 years relevant work experience or applicants not holding a completed undergraduate degree will need to demonstrate at least 10 years relevant work experience
- a proposal that is relevant to the applicant’s needs and interests and those of the applicant's home country
- the applicant’s potential to participate at a high level in their profession or the wider community on their return home from Australia
- the potential for ongoing links between the host and home organisations.