THE AUSTRALIAN Embassy in Manila announced on Tuesday the opening of applications for the Australia Awards Scholarships for master’s programs for 2027.

The prestigious scholarship offers successful applicants the opportunity to study in Australia, covering various costs like round-trip travel, living allowances, tuition, health insurance, and supplementary tutorial assistance.

Its key feature is the “Re-Entry Action Plan,” which ensures that returning scholars will apply the knowledge and expertise they gained to advance development initiatives in the Philippines.

Australia Awards’ priority areas for the Philippines span agriculture, natural resources, climate change, cybersecurity, education, governance, health, justice, maritime security, mining, energy, peace, trade, economics, gender-inclusive development programs and capacity-building initiatives.

“As Australia and the Philippines celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations this year, we remain committed to supporting the next generation of Filipino leaders through this program,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said.

The envoy specifically invited Filipino leaders from the public service, private sector and civil society to apply.

The embassy said Australia Awards has so far sent 1,500 Filipino scholars since 2004, many of whom now hold leadership roles across government, private sector, civil society and academe.

The applications are open online until April 30, 2026, at www.australiaawardsphilippines.org/scholarships.(PNA)