More than 2,000 Australian students and researchers will receive grants starting from $2500, as part of a government program to support the country’s future leaders. 

The $119 million Endeavour Leadership Program will give 2,095 recipients financial support to pursue undergraduate studies or undertake postgraduate research in one of 61 countries across fields including pharmacy, education, biochemistry, medicine, biomedical engineering and engineering.

“The students who receive a grant will get the opportunity to strengthen their subject matter knowledge which they can use for the betterment of our community,” Minister for Education Dan Tehan said.

“The program … will also strengthen relationships between Australia and other countries and promote Australia as a world-leading study destination,” he added. 

In 2019, 387 Australian students were awarded grants, and they will travel to Indonesia and Japan to study and acquire international experience. 

This includes nine scholarships to undertake a research study program and semester exchange offered to 183 undergraduate students, co-funded by the federal government and one of Hong Kong’s biggest property and investment development companies Cheung Kong (CK) Group. 

All Endeavour Leaders will receive travel allowance of up to $3,000, establishment allowance of up to $4,000, a stipend of $3,000 per month, as well as travel insurance and health insurance for the duration of their study or research overseas. 

Meanwhile, Australia will host students from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.