The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships provide financial support for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from Australia to undertake short-term research (4-6 months), in any field of study, in participating Asian countries.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Cheung Kong Group has businesses in 57 countries and as of mid-2004 the Group has invested A$10 billion in Australia in the areas of health, environment, utilities, transport and telecommunications.
While the Cheung Kong group has a history of supporting education through international scholarships, the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship program represents a unique partnership with the Australian Government to support both undergraduate and postgraduate students from Australia and Asia to study in each other’s home environments.
Following extensive negotiations, the Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group of companies agreed to contribute A$3.75m over five financial years, commencing in 2004/05. The A$7.5 million in funding will support the participation of up to 856 undergraduate students in institution-to-institution student exchanges and will fund up to 132 postgraduate/post doctoral fellowships. These awards will be split evenly, with half being available to Australians proceeding to study in Asia and half to Asian scholars studying in Australia.
The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships aim to:
- enable high achieving scholars from Australia to undertake research in Asia
- further develop the social and economic environment of Asia and Australia
- strengthen bilateral ties between Australia and Asia
- showcase Australia’s education sector within the region
- strengthen mutual understanding between the people of Asia and Australia
- further develop award holders' knowledge and skills in their field of study
- build international linkages and networks.
|
Payment Type |
Amount |
|
Travel Allowance |
$AUD4,500 |
|
Establishment Allowance |
$AUD4,000 |
|
Monthly Stipend (up to 6 months on a pro-rata basis) |
$AUD2,500
per month |
|
Total Award Value |
Up to $AUD23,500 |
Funding will be provided for health insurance for the duration of the award.
Funding will be provided for travel insurance.
Funds are not available to support accompanying dependants or for return visits to Australia.
In addition to the financial benefits the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowships also include:
- A dedicated support network for the duration of the award.
- Membership of the Alumni network.
Up to 10 awards will be offered in 2009:
- 7 awards being available for applicants to go to China and Hong Kong SAR
- 3 awards being available for applicants to go to ‘other Asia’.
‘Other Asia’ includes India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
To be eligible for an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship, applicants must:
- be citizens or permanent residents of Australia and physically resident in a country other than the country that are applying to study in. Those holding dual citizenship or permanent residency status of the country they wish to visit are not eligible to apply.
- have a completed undergraduate degree that demonstrates high academic achievement
- either be enrolled in a Masters or PhD course in Australia or have completed a PhD
- demonstrate English language proficiency
- have a confirmation of acceptance or affiliation with the host institution.
- Award Holders must commence their approved program and award during 2009. Applicants who have commenced or intend to commence their program at their host institution in 2008 are ineligible for an award.
- Award holders must spend a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 6 months at their host institution. The research project generally must be taken in one block; however it may be broken into two blocks in the same year. This must be clearly outlined at the time of application.
Applicants will be assessed using the following selection criteria:
- a record of high-level academic achievement in the applicant’s chosen field of study
- a well defined research program
- a proposal that is relevant to the needs and interests of Australia and the applicant’s host country
- the applicant’s potential to foster ongoing collaboration and cooperation with their host country and potential to participate at a high level in the academic or wider community on their return home.