Latin America

Information for awards commencing in 2013 Development Awards in Latin America

Australias international development cooperation in Latin America aims to help people overcome poverty through sustainable economic development. Australias development cooperation program will focus on areas of greatest need and where Australia can make a difference, including food security, rural livelihoods, and climate change and natural resource management. Development Awards are administered by AusAID and aligned with Australias development assistance in Latin America, targeting human resource gaps in identified priority sectors. They aim to provide successful applicants with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence economic and social development. AusAID offers Development Awards on the basis of merit, transparency and equal access. We strongly encourage applications from women, people with disability, and people from minority groups. management; identifying and reducing the impact of mining, agriculture and industry on the water table; water saving methods. Natural Resource Management: good environmental practice; increased employment generation; adapting crops and products to the effects of climate change; increasing food security; community engagement in decision making. Mining Industries: improving the social impact of mining operations; promoting a more equitable distribution of the benefits; increased opportunities for skills development to improve local employment; improved environmental management and practice associated with mining. Governance: the development and implementation of public policy; improved financial practices and accountabilities at the central and provincial levels; increased engagement of community sector organisations with the planning and allocation of public funds and resources; increased transparency. Rural Livelihoods: local support and policies that lead to improved operation of small holder properties; improved quality of produce for market; providing micro-finance for starting up small scale enterprises; improved skills for enhanced local employment options.

Priority Sectors
The priority areas of study for Development Awards in Latin America are: Water: public and community access to ground and surface water; improved policy development and effective water

Participating countries

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Applicants must be citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay or Venezuela. potential impact on development challenges in their country or region.

Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all of the eligibility requirements detailed in the Scholarships Handbook, available at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/publicat ions.cfm

Type and Level of Awards

Australian Development Scholarships These are long term development scholarships providing people with the opportunity to obtain tertiary qualifications at an Australian tertiary institution. For the 2013 intake approximately 80 scholarships will be offered to Latin American applicants at Masters (by research and by coursework) and PhD level. Australian Leadership Award Scholarships Up to 200 of the most outstanding Australian Development Scholarship applicants across the globe will be offered an Australian Leadership Award in addition to their scholarship. These extra entitlements will include a Leadership for Development Program designed to enhance leadership knowledge and skills. Recipients will be brought together with other Australian Leadership Awardees for leadership training, development discussions and the chance to build valuable networks. Selections will be based on the applicants professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their

Special Conditions for Latin American candidates

You must also meet the following special conditions for Latin American candidates: demonstrate English Language Proficiency with an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test result of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5 skills of Writing, Listening, Speaking and Reading, or TOEFL equivalent (Test of English as a Foreign Language) For more information and references on equivalencies, please visit www.becasadslatam.org/como_postular. html

have relevant and demonstrable

work experience in one of the priority sectors listed in this document.

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Application dates for study commencing in Australia in 2013
Opening date: 1 February 2012 Closing date: 30 April 2012 Applications or supporting documents received after this date will not be considered. All hard copy applications must be post marked 30 April 2012 or earlier and sent via express post. A receipt of express post with the candidates name must be faxed to +56 2 331 5074 or emailed to becasadslatam@studyinaustralia.gov.au , not later than 30 April 2012. Applications mailed after the 30 April will not be considered.

The Application Process

Online applications. This is the preferred method as it facilitates the process. Candidates have the option to save their data while completing their application. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply online at: http://oasis.ausaid.gov.au Hardcopy applications Application forms can be obtained in three ways: Download it from the website www.becasadslatam.org/como_postular.h tml Request it via email at becasadslatam@studyinaustralia.gov.au Request it directly from the office: Austrade Becas ADS for Latin America Embajada de Australia, Chile Av. Isidora Goyenechea 3621, Of. 902, Las Condes, Santiago, CHILE Phone: +56 2 733 4725

Supporting Documents
In addition to the documents listed in the Scholarships Handbook, you must also provide these documents with your application to meet the specific requirements for Latin America: 1. a certified copy (simple certification) of proof of citizenship, i.e. birth certificate or passport details page with photograph; 2. a certified copy (simple certification) of IELTS or TOEFL results that the candidate has reached, or can reach, the minimum standard of English language required for their chosen course, as determined by the university. These results must not be older than two years to the closing date of the application for the 2013 Intake, therefore, no older than 30 April 2010. 3. certified copies (official certification) of tertiary certificates/degrees in original language; and professional
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translation of these documents into English, if original language is not English; 4. certified copies (official certification) of tertiary academic transcripts results in original language; and professional translation of these documents into English, if original language is not English; 5. certified copy (simple certification) of tertiary academic ranking in original language, and professional translation of this document into English, if original language is not English; 6. two (2) Referee Reports completed in English using the template available at www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/how-toapply.cfm; 7. a summary of your CV in English in no more than two (2) pages; 8. if you are applying for a research degree (Masters by Research or PhD) please provide the following: A list of any publications. The list must be written in English. Proof (e.g. a copy of email exchanges or a letter) that you have made initial contact with a potential supervisor at your institution of choice. 9. Additional documentation: optional only if it is relevant for the assessment of your application. These documents could include a letter of support from your current employee; certified copies (simple certification) of other education qualifications; proof of voluntary/ development work; participation in relevant congresses, conferences and/or workshops. If the original language of these documents is not English, then a professional translation must be provided.

Certification and translation of documents

In the context of the current application process, the following definitions have been agreed upon: Official certification: Certification obtained through the relevant authorities in your country (Ministries of Education/Foreign Affairs). Simple Certification: Certification done by a notary or other similar authority in your country. Professional translation: translation prepared by a professional translator or one prepared by a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC). More information available at www.pieronline.org/qeac

The Selection Process

The selection process will include an interview and will take into account relevant work experience, the link between undergraduate studies and the proposed postgraduate course, and the potential impact/contribution of the candidate to his/her home country.

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Successful candidates are required to participate in a Pre Departure Briefing (PDB) session prior their departure to Australia. Both activities, the interview and PDB, might require that candidates travel to a different city and/or country in the region. All travel costs are covered by AusAID. Successful candidates should be available to commence studies in Australia in early January 2013.

granted an Australian Development Scholarship, AusAID will submit the candidate's application for their preferred academic program, to the university on behalf of the candidate.
Applicants should only consider courses that align with the priority sectors (see above) and that are available from participating universities. These institutions are listed here http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/adsinstitutions.cfm. To find information regarding courses, you can choose one of the following options: 1. Visit www.becasadslatam.org for a range of university profiles containing specific information about programs that align with the priority sectors. 2. Visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au, the Australian Governments official website for international students and use the Course Search function. 3. Visit the websites of the participating institutions directly and search for a course. Important: when selecting a course please ensure that it will be offered in the 2013 academic year and that it has a CRICOS Code. Further information about the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the various

Preparatory Training
Those successful candidates, who have not reached the minimum English requirement for their preferred course by 30 April 2012, are entitled to a Pre Course English (PCE) program in Australia prior to the commencement of academic studies. The maximum length of the in-Australia PCE is six months. This benefit will only apply to Awardees who are likely to reach the required level of English for their preferred course in six months and is not available for awardees of an Australian Leadership Award. The university will assess each candidate individually. Candidates who are not able to obtain the minimum English within six months will not be given the scholarship.

Further Information
An offer letter or acceptance letter from the university is not required to apply for this scholarship. When a candidate has been

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Australian tertiary institutions and courses can be found at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/studyin.c fm More general information about the Australia Awards, can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au

Contact Details
Organisation: Austrade Becas ADS Address: Av. Isidora Goyenechea 3621, Oficina 902, Las Condes, Santiago, CHILE. Telephone: +56 2 733 47 25 Fax: +56 2 331 5074 Email: becasadslatam@studyinaustralia.gov.au Website: www.becasadslatam.org

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