Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership
(AA-MAP) Scholarships in Thailand
In Thailand, Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian Government’s Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP). MAP aims to support a resilient and inclusive Mekong subregion that pursues joint solutions to shared and transboundary challenges.
Scholarship Benefits
The Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership Scholarships offer the same benefits as the broader Australia Awards program, with additional exclusive access to an on-award enrichment through the Mekong Leaders Network.
Priority Fields of Study
The priority areas of study for MAP-funded scholarships include water security, climate resilience, combatting transnational crime, economic resilience and subregional integration, and gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI).
Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership Intake 2027 Thailand Country Profile
This document includes the key information for Thailand citizens applying for Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Scholarships Intake 2027.
Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook
This handbook provides essential information for managing or participating in Australia Awards Scholarships.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
Applicants are recommended to use the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) for course selection.
AA-MAP INFORMATION SESSION FOR STUDY COMMENCING INTAKE 2027
Bangkok
1. Government applicants and Ministry representatives
Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 10.00 – 12.00
Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
2. Disability Advocates and potential applicants with disability
Date: 22 February 2026
Time: 10.00 – 12.00
Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
3. General Applicants in Bangkok
Date: 22 February 2026
Time: 14.00 – 16.00
Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
Provinces
1. General Applicants in the North
Date: 18 February 2026
Time: 16.00 – 18.00
Location: Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai
2. General Applicants in the Northeast
Date: 26 Feb 2026
Time: 16.00 – 18.00
Location: Mekong Institution, Khon Kaen University
3. General Applicants in the South
Date: 10 March 2026
Time: 16.00-18.00
Location: Prince of Songkla University, Songkla
Online
1. Regional information session
Session conducted in English.
Open to attendees from Mekong subregion (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar)
Date: 18 March 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (UTC+7)
Meeting Link: Click HERE
Meeting ID: 236 049 424 819 93
Passcode: Fy2f64Dm
2. Online information session for applicants from Thailand
Session conducted in Thai.
Open to attendees from Thailand.
Date: 1 April 2026
Time: 17:30 – 19:30 (UTC+7)
Meeting link: Click HERE
Meeting ID: 836 4208 9703
Passcode: aamap
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are commonly asked questions by Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership Scholarships applicants. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us at [email protected].
General
Where can I get more information about Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership (AA-MAP) Scholarships?
Will there be sessions I can attend to ask questions?
Yes, there will be many information sessions you can choose to attend. Please sign up at https://forms.office.com/r/QDF5QVB2VY
Information Session Schedule (as of 3 February 2026)
1. Government applicants and Ministry representatives
Date: 13 Feb 2026 | Time: 10.00 – 12.00 | Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
2. Disability Advocates and potential applicants with disability
Date: 22 Feb 2026 | Time: 10.00 – 12.00 | Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
3. General Applicants in Bangkok
Date: 22 Feb 2026 | Time: 14.00 – 16.00 | Location: VIE Hotel (BTS Ratchathewi)
4. General Applicants in the North
Date: 18 Feb 2026 | Time: TBC | Location: Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai
5. General Applicants in the Northeast
Date: 25 Feb 2026 | Time and Location: TBC
6. General Applicants in the South
Date: 27 Feb 2026 | Time and Location: TBC
What is an AA-MAP scholarships?
AA-MAP Scholarships provide an opportunity for individuals from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar to undertake postgraduate (Master’s level) study at a leading university
in Australia.
AA-MAP Scholarships also enable scholars to develop the skills, knowledge and networks to drive change and contribute to development in their home countries and the Mekong subregion, while maintaining strong links to Australia.
For general information about AA-MAP Scholarships, visit Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership.
How can I submit the application and supporting documents for the AA-MAP Scholarships?
Applicants can submit their AA-MAP Scholarships application and all required supporting documents online via the Australia Awards OASIS system at https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/
Eligibility
Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree?
Yes, if you do not have a PhD and your proposed study does not duplicate your previous qualifications. It is important that you clearly demonstrate why and how the AA-MAP scholarship will enable you to address shared and transboundary challenges in the Mekong subregion.
Do the master’s programs I apply for have to be related to my job?
Not necessary. As long as you clearly demonstrate in your application why and how the AA-MAP scholarship will enable you to address shared and transboundary challenges in the Mekong subregion.
Can I count my part-time work experience to meet the eligibility criteria on having at least 24 months’ full-time work experience as of 30 April 2026?
AA-MAP Scholarships provide an opportunity for individuals from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar to undertake postgraduate (Master’s level) study at a leading university
in Australia.
AA-MAP Scholarships also enable scholars to develop the skills, knowledge and networks to drive change and contribute to development in their home countries and the Mekong subregion, while maintaining strong links to Australia.
For general information about AA-MAP Scholarships, visit Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership.
Is there an age limit for people applying for an AA-MAP Scholarships?
No, there is no age limit for AA-MAP Scholarships applicants from Thailand.
Do I need to submit two referee reports as part of my application?
Yes. AA-MAP Scholarships applicants must submit at least one academic referee report and at least one other referee report (e.g. a work supervisor) as part of the required documents. You may use the same referee report template which can be downloaded from DFAT Australia Awards website.
For more information about required documents, please visit Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership and Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook
Can I apply for an award if I'm intending to migrate or if I have permanent residency in Australia?
No. Australia Awards are not available to intending migrants or those who have Australian permanent residency. Scholars are required to leave Australia for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship. Failure to do so will result in the awardee incurring a debt to the Commonwealth of Australia.
How are applications assessed and selected?
For information on how applications are assessed and selected, please refer to Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
Are there target groups?
We encourage applications from women, people with disability, ethnic minority groups and people from targeted provinces.
In Thailand, people who were born in and attended high school in one of the listed provinces: Ang Thong, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Pattani, Phatthalung, Phayao, Ranong, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Sisaket, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yala are considered part of the target groups.
English Language Requirements
Can I use TOEIC or TOEFL prediction test as evidence of my English language test result?
No. The requirements for English language test results are IELTS (Academic), TOEFL (internet based) or PTE (Academic). No other English language test results will be accepted.
If my English language test results are below the AA-MAP Scholarships requirement, or if I am unable to take the test before the application deadline (30 April 2026), can I still apply?
You must apply for AA-MAP Scholarships by the deadline and meet the AA-MAP English language proficiency requirements by submitting your results as part of the application as listed below:
- IELTS (Academic): Overall score of at least 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or
- TOEFL (internet based): Overall score of at least 84, with a minimum score of 21 in each section; or
- PTE (Academic): Overall score of 58, with no communicative skill score below 50.
Exceptions apply to applicants with disability, applicants from ethnic minority groups and, or applicants from targeted provinces.
Please see Thailand Australia Awards intake information for further information.
Can IELTS/ iBT-TOEFL test certificates be submitted after the scholarship application?
For general applicants, the English language test result (obtained after 1 January 2025) must be submitted with the online application through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) before 30 April 2026.
For applicants with disability, applicants from ethnic minority groups and, or applicants from targeted provinces, the English language test results are optional for the application stage. But it will be required if you are selected for an interview.
Proposed Fields of Study and Universities
How many universities and courses can I choose when submitting my online application? How many study programs can I propose in the online application?
Applicants can choose as many courses as they like in OASIS. There is no limit. We will provide university selection counseling to provisional scholars.
What Master’s programs can I select?
You can select Master’s programs that align with the MAP thematic areas of study including water security, climate resilience, combatting transnational crime, economic resilience and subregional integration and gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI).
If your chosen courses are at the Master’s level, coursework or research, you must demonstrate in your application how the degree aligns with and is relevant to the MAP thematic areas.
You can use this tool to search for possible Master’s degrees: The Australian Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
What are the MAP thematic areas?
The MAP thematic areas include water security, climate resilience, combatting transnational crime, economic resilience and subregional integration and gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI). You can learn more about MAP in the DFAT website.
For the course, is it necessary to have the exact same name? For example, the Master of Computer Science is not listed but would it be considered as under information technology?
Applicants do not need to select courses with the exact same names as listed on the DFAT Australia Awards MAP.
However, the selected courses must align with MAP thematic areas. For example, there are no law degrees mentioned on the website but you may select a course in Environmental Law as this aligns with MAP’s focus on climate resilience.
Can I choose MBA courses?
Yes. However, we advise you to elaborate in your application on how your chosen courses align with MAP thematic areas, how it will contribute to your career and the development of the Mekong subregion.
AA-MAP Scholarship Benefits
What are the benefits for the AA-MAP scholarships recipients?
AA-MAP scholarships recipients will receive return air travel, a one-off establishment allowance on arrival, full tuition fees, contribution to living expenses, introductory academic program, overseas student health cover for the duration of the scholarship, supplementary academic support, fieldwork allowance and all costs associated with the participation in the on-award enrichment program: the Mekong Leaders Network.
Further details: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarships
What is the Mekong Leaders Network?
The Mekong Leaders Network aims to support AA-MAP scholarship recipients by strengthening cross-cohort connections, deepening understanding of shared Mekong challenges and regional cooperation, and enhancing alumni leadership capacity to contribute to development outcomes aligned with MAP thematic areas.
To achieve this, AA-MAP scholarship recipients will participate in a series of workshops and learning activities on leadership, communications and networking. These activities will take place before the scholars depart for Australia and during their scholarship period.
It is mentioned that we need to depart by January 2027. Would it be possible to start in September 2027?
This depends on your selected course. Please note that some courses do not offer mid-year/Semester 2 start dates.
Can I choose an institution in Tasmania?
Yes, you can. The following Australian institutions participate in Australia Awards: Australia Awards – Participating Institutions.
Is there a standard template for ‘Employer approval to apply for an Australia Award’ (for Thai government officials only)?
No. Applicants who are government officials should use a template from their organisation. Confirmation from your employer that they have allowed you to apply for AA-MAP is required to apply.
Can I use the same template for the referee report, academic referee report and professional referee report?
Yes. You can use the same referee report template which can be downloaded from the Australia Awards website.
Awarding a Scholarship
Do I need to resign from my job in order to accept the scholarship?
As the scholarship requires full-time study, awardees are expected to be in Australia, prioritise their academic commitments and maintain satisfactory academic progress and good academic conduct.
When I go to study for my master’s degree, can I bring my partner, spouse, children, or other family members with me? If so, how many people can accompany me?
The awardee may bring their dependents with them, subject to the scholarship conditions and Australian visa requirements. For full details, see Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook.
How much is the monthly allowance?
The monthly allowance also referred to as the Contribution to Living Expenses or a stipend will be distributed from institution to the awardee. Please check the relevant section of the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook for the rate. Please note that the rate is updated regularly.
What are the scholarship’s conditions?
Below are the general conditions. Please refer to the scholarship conditions in Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook for detailed information.
- The awardee must start the scholarship in the year it is offered, unless an official deferral is approved.
- They must attend all required pre-departure briefings and compulsory academic programs upon arrival.
- The awardee may only study the approved course, follow institutional rules, complete all assessments and exams, and finish the program by the scholarship end date.
- After completing or ending the scholarship, the awardee must leave Australia for at least two years; any return during this period will extend the exclusion period.
- During the scholarship, the awardee must study full-time (unless otherwise approved), maintain satisfactory academic progress and good conduct, and live in Australia for the duration of the award (except for approved travel).
Support for Scholars with Disabilities
What support is available for people with disability?
There are different reasonable adjustments available for applicants with disability at different stages such as the English requirements for applicants with disability.
A disability assessment is done to inform a fit-for-purpose support plan for scholars with disability. The assessment and a support plan (if necessary) are completed before the scholar departs for Australia.
What is a reasonable adjustment and reasonable accommodation?
Reasonable adjustments are measures that can be made to ensure applicants and scholars with disabilities can meet the academic standards of their course of study and participate on the same basis as others. Examples might include alterations to the physical environment and other facilities, and changes to the way skills are assessed.
Reasonable accommodation is the provision of support, modifications and/or adjustments that meet the individual needs of people with disabilities to ensure they enjoy and exercise all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis to others. Examples might include the provision of accessible transportation, sign language interpreters, carers, and documents in accessible formats.
How can I apply for the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership (AA-MAP) scholarships?
Similar to Australia Awards scholarships, applicants can apply for the AA-MAP scholarships on https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/
Can I apply for both an Australia Awards scholarships and the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships?
In Thailand, only the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships are available. Please select “Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships” in the OASIS system when submitting your application.
What are the differences between the Australia Awards scholarships and the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships?
- The eligibility criteria, application process and the benefits are similar. Please refer to the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- Mekong-Australia Partnership offers additional Australia Awards Scholarships at postgraduate (Master’s) level to undertake coursework or research in MAP thematic areas. Recipients will have exclusive access to the Mekong Leaders Network. For more information, please visit Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership.
I am considering applying for the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships next year. Will the scholarships be available in the next intake?
Yes, the Australia Awards Mekong-Australia Partnership scholarships are ongoing and will be available next year.
Can I select a Master in Public Health?
Yes, as long as the course is at the Master’s level, whether it is a coursework program or a research program, and you can demonstrate in your application how this degree aligns with and is relevant to the MAP key thematic areas.
Do I need to apply for a university now?
No, university placement will be arranged after you become a successful awardee.
I can’t find Thailand under the application country on OASIS system.
Please select AA-MAP scheme when creating your application.
Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree?
Yes, if you do not have a PhD and your proposed study does not duplicate your previous qualifications. It is important you clearly demonstrate in your application why and how the AA-MAP scholarship will enable you to address shared and transboundary challenges in the Mekong subregion.
What are the MAP key thematic areas?
The MAP thematic areas include water security, climate resilience, combatting transnational crime, economic resilience and subregional integration and gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI).