John Allwright Fellowship Grant

About this grant

The John Allwright Fellowship (JAF) is a competitive, merit-based postgraduate scholarship program administered by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) through the Australia Awards system. It is available to scientists or economists from ACIAR partner countries who are currently or recently involved in ACIAR research projects. The program offers the opportunity to obtain formal postgraduate qualifications (Masters by Research or PhD) at Australian tertiary institutions. The primary aim is to strengthen scientific research capability and institutional links in ACIAR partner countries to undertake high-quality and impactful research. JAF is the largest investment in the ACIAR Capacity Development Program and provides comprehensive support including full tuition fees, return airfare, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses, overseas student health cover, and additional pastoral care through the JAF Support Facility. ACIAR is committed to gender equity, with women now comprising at least half of new JAF awardees. The 2026 intake specifically allocates places for research dedicated to addressing climate change, climate adaptation, or strengthening resilience to climate change impacts.

Eligibility

Applicants must not be Australian citizens, hold Australian permanent residency, or be applying for permanent residence visas. They must be citizens of their working country and currently employed on a permanent or long-term contract basis. Applicants must be scientists or economists actively involved in an ACIAR research project or small research activity within the last 24 months (advanced pipeline projects may be considered). They must be endorsed by their current employer, ACIAR Project Leaders, and primary supervisor. Applicants must hold qualifications equivalent to at least an Australian Bachelor degree in a discipline relevant to the proposed postgraduate study area. They must have recently undertaken English language testing (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) or be prepared to take the test upon application outcome notification. Research proposals must address gender equity and social inclusion, climate change, and project contribution to the development priority of the applicant's home country. Eligible countries are ACIAR partner countries in Africa, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific regions, excluding India and Myanmar. Awardees are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship.

How it's scored

Research proposals and study programs are assessed and weighted according to alignment and relevancy to ACIAR research projects, potential for impact including applicants' intended plans upon returning home after studies, alignment of the proposal to research and development priorities of the applicant's home country, written endorsements from current employer, Australian project leader, collaborating country project leader, and primary supervisor, and how well the proposal demonstrates gender equity and social inclusion, climate change considerations, and project contribution to the development priority of the applicant's country.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be from an ACIAR partner country
• ✓Postgraduate study or capacity development in agricultural research focus
• ✓Individual fellowship for skills and knowledge advancement

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for John Allwright Fellowship?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL-SOUTH, ASIA, OCEANIA, AFRICA; individual, university, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Regenerative agriculture funding supports soil health, cover cropping, reduced tillage, agroforestry and grazing practices that store carbon and restore land. It comes through agricultural support schemes, research programmes and supply-chain initiatives run with food companies. Applicants often need farmer partners, field trial plans and a way to monitor soil outcomes.