Development Cooperation 

Australian Aid

The Australian Government\'s overseas aid program is improving the lives of millions of people in developing countries. Australia is working with the governments and people of developing countries to deliver aid where it is most needed and most effective.

Australia's aid program in Sri Lanka 

The Direct Aid Program 

The Direct Aid Program is a flexible, small grants scheme for development activities managed by Heads of Australian Missions in approximately 45 countries. The emphasis of the program is on alleviating basic humanitarian hardships. 

The Direct Aid Program in Sri Lanka and Maldives

Scholarships

Australia Awards Scholarships

Scholarships for study in Australia have been an important component of the Australian Government’s official development assistance program to Sri Lanka and Maldives since the Colombo Plan in the 1950s. The Australian Government’s Australia Awards program promotes knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia, its neighbours and the global community. The contribution of Australia Awards is captured under one of the five development priorities of the Australian development assistance program –education. This goal includes empowering women to participate in the economy, leadership and education and enhancing the lives of people with disability.

The Australian Government provides Australia Awards Scholarships to develop capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can contribute to the development in their home country and build people-to-people links at the individual, institutional and country levels. Australia Awards Scholarships are granted on a competitive basis to Sri Lankan and Maldivian citizens who meet the eligibility criteria stipulated for their respective countries. Applications opened on 1 February 2014 and will close on 30 April 2014. Successful applicants will commence studies at Australian higher education institutions in 2015. 
 

Full details regarding Australia Awards Scholarships, and details on how to apply, can be found by accessing the following website  www.southasiascholarship.org