International Fellows Award

The program is designed for established researchers, and applicants are normally expected to have at least eight years of relevant experience since the award of their PhD. Applications from researchers with less experience may be considered in exceptional circumstances; however, the program is highly competitive, and applicants will be assessed against all eligibility and assessment criteria.

The International Fellows Award is primarily intended to support collaboration with researchers from institutions that are ranked in the global top 100, or whose discipline area is ranked in the global top 100. Researchers from other institutions may still be considered in some circumstances; eligibility and competitiveness will depend on the applicant's overall profile, including their research track record, international standing, alignment with Adelaide University's priorities, and the strength of the proposed collaboration. As the program is highly competitive, priority will be given to applications that most strongly align with the program objectives and assessment criteria.

Costs supported through the program include international travel, accommodation in Adelaide, visitor visa costs, public transport, taxis and rideshare services, meals and other approved expenses directly related to the Fellow's visit and participation in Fellowship activities. Funding may also support activities that contribute to the objectives of the Fellowship, including collaboration with Adelaide University researchers, engagement with students, and participation in seminars, workshops, masterclasses, public lectures, and other agreed Fellowship activities. All expenditure must comply with Adelaide University policies and procedures.

Yes. As part of the International Fellows Award, applicants are expected to deliver a public lecture, seminar, masterclass, workshop or similar engagement activity during their visit. These activities are an important component of the Fellowship, giving Fellows the opportunity to share their expertise with Adelaide University researchers, students, and the broader community. Applicants should discuss potential engagement activities with their proposed host when developing their application.

No. All applications must be submitted through the official application portal, which captures required declarations, eligibility information and supporting documentation. Applications sent by email will not be accepted and will not be considered during the assessment process. To assist with preparing an application, applicants are encouraged to draft their responses in a separate document before completing the online form, as partially completed applications cannot be saved and returned to later.

If you experience technical problems with the application portal, try using a different web browser, clearing your browser cache, and checking that uploaded files meet the specified file size requirements. If the issue persists, please consult your nominated Adelaide University host, as they may be able to assist. If the issue still cannot be resolved, please contact the International Fellows Award team as soon as possible and provide details of the problem, including any error messages or screenshots.

Fellowship visits should ideally be four to eight weeks in duration. Shorter visits may be approved where a strong case is provided and the Fellowship objectives can be achieved within the proposed timeframe. In some circumstances, a Fellowship may be undertaken across multiple visits rather than a single continuous stay. Where this is proposed, applicants must clearly explain the rationale and proposed schedule in their application.

Yes. The International Fellows Award is open to researchers from all disciplines, provided they meet the program's eligibility criteria. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed visit aligns with Adelaide University's strategic priorities and areas of research strength. As part of the assessment process, applications will be considered against the University's signature research themes. Applicants should also demonstrate the value of the proposed Fellowship to the Adelaide University host unit, including opportunities for research collaboration, student engagement, knowledge exchange, research impact and longer-term partnership development. An application does not need to fit neatly within a single Signature Research Theme, but applicants should clearly explain how their expertise and proposed activities align with the program's objectives and assessment criteria.

Applicants must not have been employed by Adelaide University, the University of Adelaide, or the University of South Australia within the ten years preceding the commencement of the Fellowship. This is intended to ensure the program supports new and renewed international engagement opportunities. Unpaid honorary, adjunct or affiliate appointments are not considered employment for the purposes of this requirement. If you are unsure whether a previous appointment may affect your eligibility, please contact the International Fellows Award team before applying.

Fellows are responsible for selecting accommodation that best meets their needs and preferences. When considering accommodation options, Fellows should consider factors such as location, cost, proximity to campus and transport links. The Adelaide University host unit will work with the Fellow to support accommodation arrangements and manage approved Fellowship funding in accordance with University policies and procedures. Fellows are encouraged to discuss accommodation options with their host early in the planning process to ensure suitable arrangements can be made.

The most competitive applications show strong alignment with Adelaide University's strategic priorities and Signature Research Themes, along with clear potential for realistic, ongoing collaboration beyond the Fellowship period. This may include future research partnerships, joint publications, external funding opportunities, research training, student engagement, and opportunities to expand collaboration across multiple disciplines, Schools, Colleges, Institutes or research groups. Competitive applications also demonstrate international research excellence, clear benefits to Adelaide University, and meaningful engagement with researchers, students and other stakeholders during the visit.

Yes. In addition to the 20 Fellowships available for commencement in 2027, up to five Fellowships may be awarded for commencement in 2028 as part of a pilot initiative for applicants who require longer lead times, due to institutional or other significant constraints. Applicants seeking a 2028 Fellowship through this pilot must provide a clear justification as part of their application. Requests will be assessed alongside the standard selection criteria. The 2028 Fellowships available through this pilot represent only a portion of the Fellowships expected to be offered for 2028. A separate future call is anticipated for the remaining 2028 Fellowships.

Yes. Proposed visit dates may change after submission. Hosts and Fellows should work together to agree on revised arrangements where necessary. Any changes should continue to support the Fellowship's objectives and remain consistent with the approved funding allocation and program requirements. Hosts will be responsible for keeping the International Fellows Award team informed of any significant changes to proposed visit dates or visit arrangements.