[Call for Applications] Adelaide University’s International Fellows Award

10 November 2025

Building global partnerships for lasting impact

Adelaide University’s International Fellows Award is designed to bring some of the very best academic and research minds from around the globe to South Australia to work with our researchers and students on global challenges.

Connecting high-calibre, globally recognised researchers from top 100 ranked universities (or within top 100 ranked discipline areas) to the Adelaide University community, this program enriches our research, teaching and learning activities and promotes innovative, impactful partnerships. The program will foster long-term international collaborations aligned to Adelaide University’s Signature Research Themes, and increase international co-publications, joint research projects and global academic impact. 

For International Fellows, this program presents a unique opportunity to advance your research at Australia’s newest university — an institution dedicated to future-making research of scale and focus that transcends borders around the world. Home to more than 5,000 researchers pioneering some of the most important and powerful innovations and breakthroughs, Adelaide University’s research excellence and impact is fuelled by our unique locations, close campus–industry proximity, world-class research infrastructure, vibrant graduate researcher cohorts, outstanding research talent, and strategic alliances. 

The benefits for International Fellows extend beyond their research portfolio. The city of Adelaide was ranked the ninth most liveable city in the world in the 2025 Global Liveability Index, and is surrounded by picturesque coastlines, rolling hills and world-renowned vineyards.

Fellowship roles
  • Undertake collaborative research with Adelaide University academics.
  • Participate in community engagement, such as public lectures, masterclasses or seminars.
  • Interact with academics, researchers, HDR candidates and/or coursework students.
Eligibility criteria

Applicants for Adelaide University’s International Fellows Award program must: 

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than Australia (dual Australian citizenship is permitted if the researcher resides in a country other than Australia).  
  • Hold a salaried academic appointment of at least 0.5 FTE at an institution outside of Australia that is ranked in the top 100 (QS, THE, ARWU) or where the applicant’s subject area is ranked in the top 100 globally. 
  • Be an internationally renowned researcher in their chosen field, with an excellent track record of scholarly achievements and impact. 
  • Have a minimum of eight years of relevant work experience since award of their PhD. 
  • Be employed in a research-only role, or a teaching and research role with a significant research element. 
  • Not have been employed by Adelaide University, the University of Adelaide or University of South Australia in the preceding 10 years. 
  • Provide an endorsement letter from the relevant Adelaide University Dean of School or Research Institute Director confirming their support for the application.
Funding, duration and participation

Twenty Fellowships will be awarded in the 2026 round. Each Fellowship will be eligible for an honorarium of up to AUD$20,000. This is to be provided to the host unit and can be used for the Fellow’s travel to Australia, accommodation in Adelaide, visitor visa application fees and other travel-related costs. 

Visits should ideally be between four and eight weeks.  Shorter Fellowships will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

While undertaking their Fellowship, each Fellow will be expected to engage in collaborative research with Adelaide University academics, participate in community outreach/speaking opportunities (for example, a public lecture, masterclasses etc.), agree to be profiled in relevant University communication materials, and engage with higher degree by research candidates and/or coursework students. 

For more information: https://adelaideuni.edu.au/partners-and-community/global-partnerships/international-fellows-award/

Program brochure

View the International Fellows Award program brochure to find out more.

international-fellows-award-brochureDownload