Elevate your practice, expand your perspective and bring global ideas back to South Australia.

The International Research Fellowships provide South Australian VET and ACE educators with a unique opportunity to undertake international applied research, explore world-leading practice and translate global insights into practical improvements for learners, educators, employers and communities.

The Fellowships are delivered in partnership with the International Specialised Skills (ISS Institute).

Applications for the first Fellowship round open 17 August 2026 and close 5 October 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://www.issinstitute.org.a...

Elevate International Research Fellowships option 1

International Research Fellowships are a funded opportunity for VET and ACE educators to step outside their everyday practice, engage with global expertise and return with ideas that make a difference.

As a Fellow, you will:

Explore innovative approaches that are not yet widely used in Australia.
Establish relationships with international experts, educators and industry leaders.
Develop your leadership, research and communication capability
Contribute to sector-wide improvement through practical recommendations and knowledge sharing.
Join a growing network of Fellows committed to innovation in education and training.
Build your professional profile as a recognised leader in your field

This is not academic research – it’s hands-on, practical and focused on real-world outcomes. You’ll be supported to turn what you learn into tangible improvements that strengthen training and learner outcomes in South Australia.

The Fellowships are for passionate VET educators who want to grow their impact.

You can apply if you:

Live in South Australia
Are aged 18 years or over
Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Are employed within the VET or ACE sector
Deliver, or support the delivery of, training to South Australian students and learners.

Applications can be submitted by individuals or pairs. Where a pair applies, at least one applicant must be an educator currently delivering training to South Australian students. Each applicant must submit an individual application and, if successful, each will be awarded a Fellowship.

You don’t need prior research experience – just curiosity, commitment and a clear idea of how your learning could make a difference to VET in South Australia.

Each Fellowship supports you to design and deliver a project that brings international insight into local practice.

Each Fellowship includes:

$15,000 funding to support international travel and research
One-on-one coaching and mentoring provided by ISS Institute
Monthly community of practice meetings with fellow Fellows
Support to connect with international organisations and experts
Guidance to develop and publish a Fellowship report
Opportunities to present findings through sector events and networks.

You'll be supported throughout the Fellowship by the expert team at ISS Institute. For more than 30 years, ISS Institute has delivered internationally recognised Fellowship programs that enable educators and industry professionals to explore global best practice, build international networks and drive innovation in Australia. Through the Skills SA International Research Fellowships, this proven model is now available to South Australian educators.

Applicants are encouraged to investigate opportunities that address current workforce and training challenges. Projects may focus on:

Innovative teaching and assessment practices
Learner engagement, participation and support
Industry engagement and workforce alignment
Capability building for educators
New technologies and emerging industries
Practical tools, frameworks and resources that can be adopted across the sector.

You’re encouraged to look at the research undertaken by current and past VSA International VET Practitioner Fellows: see https://www.issinstitute.org.a....

Successful projects should demonstrate clear potential to improve outcomes for learners, educators, employers and the broader South Australian VET system.

Applications are submitted through an online application process at https://www.issinstitute.org.au/skills-sa-fellowship.

Before commencing an application, make sure you read the guidelines. You are highly encouraged to attend an information session to ask questions about the application process or to test ideas.

The application asks you to outline:

Your research idea and why it matters
How international learning will strengthen local practice
The benefits and impacts for learners, fellow educators, industry and the VET system
How you will share your insights with others, including how outcomes could be applied, scaled or transferred.

You’ll also provide supporting information such as your resume, employer endorsement and letters of support.

Fellowships are awarded through a competitive selection process.

Applications are assessed on: