Established in 2006 by the Australian Government, Australia Awards Fellowships aim to strengthen leadership, address priority development issues, and build partnerships and links between Australian host organizations and partner organizations in Latin America.

Australia Award Fellowships offer Australian organisations the opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to $35,000 per fellow to support a range of activities that will develop expertise and leadership capacity in eligible countries. Through Fellowships, Australian organisations have the opportunity to build and strengthen links with counterpart organisations in partner countries by working with them to offer professional development opportunities in Australia.

Fellowships target current and aspiring leaders and mid-career professionals who will, in the short to medium term, be able to increase institutional capacity in their countries. Fellowships do not lead to formal academic qualifications. Rather, they are designed to provide short term opportunities for study, research and professional attachment in Australia.

Australia Award Fellowships is a competitive grant and Fellowships are awarded based on merit, transparency and equal access opportunities. AusAID especially encourages the participation of women, people with disabilities, and individuals from ethnic and minority groups as Fellowship participants.