Fully Funded Australian Scholarships 2027 Open for Kenyan and African Students

The Australian government has opened applications for the 2027 Australian Scholarships, offering fully funded postgraduate study opportunities to qualified candidates from Kenya and other selected African countries.

The scholarships are designed to strengthen leadership skills and professional capacity in developing nations by supporting advanced education and research in Australia.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be citizens of eligible African countries, including Kenya. Candidates must be at least 25 years old by February 1, 2027, and have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in their field.

Applicants are also required to be employed at the time of submitting their application.

Besides Kenya, eligible countries include Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Level of Study and Academic Requirements

The programme targets students seeking to pursue a Master’s degree at accredited Australian universities. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s qualification.

Candidates who already have a Master’s degree, are currently studying one, or have previously received a long-term Australia Award are not eligible.

Benefits of the Scholarship

Successful applicants will enjoy comprehensive financial support, including:

Full tuition fees
Return airfare to and from Australia
A one-time establishment allowance upon arrival
Monthly living expenses
Overseas student health insurance for the duration of the programme
Additional academic support where necessary
Fieldwork allowance for research and coursework programmes with mandatory fieldwork

Selection Process

Candidates will go through a competitive selection process that involves eligibility screening and interviews.

Key selection criteria include academic excellence, leadership potential, professional experience, and the ability to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries after completing their studies.

Priority Areas of Study

The scholarship focuses on key development sectors such as:

Agriculture and food security
Climate change and environmental sustainability
Foreign policy and international security
Gender equality, disability, and social inclusion
Mining and energy

These priority fields are reviewed regularly to reflect emerging development needs.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit several supporting documents, including:

Proof of citizenship
Academic certificates and transcripts
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Referee reports from academic and professional supervisors
Evidence of English language proficiency (where applicable)

Timeline and Notification

Applications opened on February 1, 2026, and will close on April 30, 2026, at 4:59 pm East African Time. Late applications or documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Successful candidates will be informed later in 2026 and will undergo mandatory preparatory training, including pre-departure briefings, academic orientation, and course counselling before travelling to Australia.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their applications online through the OASIS platform via the Australia Awards Africa website.

The Australia Awards Scholarship is a prestigious international programme funded by the Australian government and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It aims to nurture future leaders from developing countries and strengthen partnerships between Australia and its partner nations.