International Research Fellowship

Applications for 2026 open on August 17th, and close October 5th 2026 at 11:59pm.

The International Research Fellowship is part of the South Australian and Australian Government’s Strengthening the VET Workforce initiative. It provides South Australian VET and ACE educators with the opportunity to undertake international applied research to address skills gaps, strengthen training delivery and drive innovation across the sector.

Delivered by the International Specialised Skills Institute, in partnership with Skills SA, the program supports Fellows to explore global best practice and translate these insights into practical outcomes for South Australia.

Each Fellowship is a year long program - international applied research and completion of report must be completed within 12 months.

The Fellowship

The Fellowship supports South Australian VET and ACE educators to investigate international approaches that are not currently available in Australia and South Australia, and apply this knowledge within their organisation and the broader sector. Fellows undertake focused research, build international networks and return with practical insights that contribute to improved teaching, learning and industry practice.

Each Fellowship includes:

Funding to support international research and travel
Access to global experts, institutions and industry leaders
One-on-one coaching and mentoring
Monthly community of practice meetings
Structured support to complete a Fellowship report
Opportunities to present and share findings across the sector

Fellows complete a Fellowship report that includes:

International insights and case studies
Practical guidelines and recommendations
Considerations for application within the South Australian context

Priority Areas

Fellowship proposals should demonstrate relevance to current priorities across the vocational education and training system. Applicants are encouraged to consider how their proposal aligns with:

Department of State Development's areas of focus: https://statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/department/areas-of-focus
National Skills Agreement priorities: https://www.dewr.gov.au/national-skills-agreement.

Applicants should clearly articulate the potential impact, practical application, scalability and transferability of their proposed project, and how it contributes to improved outcomes for learners, educators, industry and/or the broader VET system.

Topics may include:

Comparative studies of international VET teaching or assessment models
Innovative approaches to industry engagement, workforce alignment or learner support
Trials of new teaching, assessment or capability building approaches
Development of practical tools, frameworks, case studies or resources for use across the South Australian sector.

Who can apply?

The Fellowship welcomes applications from established professionals, and skilled practitioners who must:

Reside in South Australia
Be over 18 years of age
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Be employed within the VET sector, including:
- Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), including TAFE SA and private providers
- Adult Community Education (ACE) providers
- Be delivering training, or supporting the delivery of training, to South Australian students and learners.

Fellowship Application Requirements

Fellowship application requirements include submission of a detailed online application form outlining specific skills to be acquired, a comprehensive curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant experience, and letters of support from professional colleagues. Applicants must also provide an employer endorsement letter.

Fellowships may be awarded to individuals or small teams (maximum 2 members). Where a team is involved, at least one member must be an educator. Both members of the team will need to apply separately and state the other team member's name in the application. Both members will be eligible to receive $15,000 each.

Fellowship Application Form

Before commencing an application, make sure you read the Application Guidelines.

The online application form will open on August 17th 2026 and will close on October 5th 2026.

Look at the Application Guidelines for further information and tips.

If you do not have the correct documentation such as your CV, letter of support and employer endorsement letter, your application will not be considered.

Apply now

If you have any questions about the Fellowship, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here.

Download Application Guidelines

Information Sessions

Have questions about the fellowship or the application process? Join one of our online information sessions via Zoom. All information sessions will be held from 12:00 pm–12:30 pm (Adelaide time).

Please select and RSVP to the date that works best for you. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you with your application.

Tips for Applying

Hear from the ISS Institute's Program Manager, Kay Schlesinger, on some tips to consider when applying for the Skills SA International Research Fellowship.