AsiaBound

AsiaBound Grants Program

The AsiaBound Grants Program (AsiaBound) is an Australian Government initiative that will support Australian students participating in study experiences in Asia as part of their degree or qualification. This advances the Government’s commitment to support Australians becoming Asia-literate in the Asian Century as part of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper(opens in a new window), released by the Prime Minister on 28 October 2012. 

AsiaBound provides funding in the form of $2000 grants for short-term or $5000 grants for semester based study for Australian students each year to participate in a study experience in Asia each year. In addition, $1000 grants will be available each year for preparatory Asian language study that can be undertaken before or during an AsiaBound project.

OS-HELP for study in Asia

In adddition to AsiaBound, the Government has enhanced the OS-HELP scheme and the changes will take effect from 1 January 2014. These changes will also assist more Australian students to undertake some of their study overseas, particularly in Asia.

To promote study in Asia, the maximum loan amount for students undertaking study in Asia will be increased by $1,250 to $7,500 in 2014.

To better prepare students for their overseas study in Asia, from 2014 the Government will provide an additional loan of $1,000 to pay for intensive Asian language training as part of students’ study abroad opportunity. This funding will be available to students taking out an OS-HELP loan for study in Asia who wish to undertake some intensive language training prior to their study.

Changes to the OS-HELP scheme (PDF, 90KB) 

Subsidies

Four types of subsidies are available under the program:

1. Short-term study subsidies for higher education, provided at a rate of $2,000 for around 2,500 places.

2. Semester subsidies (semester based projects) for higher education providers, provided at a rate of $5,000 for around 500 places per year.

3. Intensive language support subsidies for students undertaking approved short-term mobility or semester based programs, provided at a rate of $1,000 per student for around 330 places per year.

4. Project facilitation subsidies are provided at a rate of $1500 per project, for eligible projects between one and ten students and can be used to support staff on faculty led study experiences in Asia.

Each project is limited to a maximum of 10 outgoing student subsidies. Should you have a project that is seeking funding for more than 10 students, you will need to submit two separate applications.

Type of study

The AsiaBound Grants Program provides grants for activities that provide credit or are otherwise a mandatory component of the student’s course. This could include:

Short-term study in Asia or longer term (semester or two semester based study) for higher education students undertaking an institution-approved program:

• Semester or two semester based study
• Paid or unpaid internships or work placements;
• Practicum or clinical placements;
• Short-term study experiences or research trips;
• Short courses; and
• Volunteer projects.

Eligible Destinations

Eligible destinations under the AsiaBound Grants Program will be those listed in the Australia in the Asian Century website (opens in a new window) as follows:

  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  • Timor-Leste
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Laos
  • Macau
  • Malaysia​
  • Maldives
  • Mongolia
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Republic of Korea
  • Singapore
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Quality and Sustainability

Project applications should include strategies for ensuring the ongoing quality and sustainability of the project beyond the immediate funding window.

Applications must include a statement about how the project achieves the objectives of the AsiaBound Program, what the project will do to increase the skills and expertise of Australians participating, and what it will do to increase collaboration between Australian and Asian tertiary education providers.

Selection Criteria

All applications are required to respond to the following selection criteria:

1. The strategic focus of the project having regard to the objectives of the AsiaBound Grants Program:

  • Increasing the overall number of Australian students with a first-hand study experience of Asia;
  • Encouraging more students to become Asia-literate through diverse mobility offerings in Asia;
  • Enhancing the skills and expertise of Australians through access to a variety of study opportunities in Asia;
  • Supporting increased Asian language competency of Australian students undertaking mobility to Asia; and
  • The institution's potential to foster ongoing collaboration and cooperation with the host country.

2. The desired outcomes of the particular project and details of the credit provided for project participation.

3. The level of support and services provided by the home institution to students to facilitate their pastoral care and learning outcomes in pre-departure and while they are overseas; and

4. Measures that ensure participation in the project by individuals from identified disadvantaged groups. 

UWS school applications can be made via the AsiaBound Submission Form page.

Further information is available at:
AsiaBound website (opens in a new window)
AsiaBound Grants Program Guidelines 2014 (opens in a new window) 

2014 Project Application/Funding Timetable

19 April 2013    UWS applications open
13 May 2013     UWS school submissions close online
24 June 2013    Institutions notified of outcomes
31 July 2013     Project schedule and invoice submission deadline
31 Dec 2013     2014 Project acquittal reports due for short-term projects
30 June 2015    Project acquittal reports due for Semester based projects

Applications are to be made via the UWS AsiaBound online submission form (opens in a new window). 

AsiaBound Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs (opens in a new window) are available online:

Resources and useful links for UWS academics

AsiaBound website (opens in a new window)
AsiaBound Grants Program Guidelines 2014 (opens in a new window)
AsiaBound FAQ’s (opens in a new window)  
Outbound Mobility Best Practice Guide (opens in a new window)  
UWS Student Exchange webpage 
UWS International Plan (PDF, 296KB)

Contact
Jenny Kline
International Mobility Manager
Study Abroad and Exchange Office
UWS International
T 02 9685 9052
E j.kline@uws.edu.au