A Global Footprints Scholarship is a self-directed career development opportunity for young Australians in agriculture, trades and horticulture. Successful applicants receive an AUD $9,000 grant to travel overseas for industry experience, professional development workshops, networking opportunities and mentoring.

Scholarships are awarded once a year.

To be eligible for a Global Footprints Scholarship you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and be between 18-25 years old.
Check our “Who can apply?” page for full details.

If your application is shortlisted you will need to provide evidence for the above.

Applications open every year on 1 May and close 1 June.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by September.

The Global Footprints Scholarship is a self-directed career development opportunity. You are expected to have a good idea of where you want to go and why, including an understanding of who the industry trailblazers in your field are and where they are located. Networking to find your placement is the first critical learning opportunity of your scholarship experience. We will give you advice on how to approach them, and pair you up with a mentor to give you the best start.

Every destination has different visa requirements which are subject to frequent changes.

We are not able to give expert advice on visa questions, and this is part of your preparation that you will need to explore specifically for your own travel plans.

No. Global Footprints Scholarships are for overseas industry placements only. In rare circumstances, for example where scholars become unable to travel due to pandemic travel bans, we may consider deferring funds or transferring scholarship funds to domestic activities.

As part of our commitment to our organisation’s legacy we do fund agricultural scholarships for young people to attend TOCAL agricultural college in NSW. If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships please contact TOCAL directly.

No. Global Footprints Scholarships are for industry experience only. You may use part of the scholarship to cover skill-focussed industry short courses, however overseas school or college fees cannot be funded.

Yes. A Global Footprints Scholarship may form part of your training at an Australian Vocational Education and Training Provider.

Yes! Coaching as well as networking opportunities are critical parts of a successful Global Footprints scholarship. You are expected to participate in all components of the program to set yourself up for success. This includes 3 pre-travel and 2 post-travel workshops and personal, one-on-one coaching. Workshop dates will be published once we have allocated all scholarships and know which industries and careers our scholars come from.

Global Footprints Scholarships are designed to give young people with VET education the opportunity for international career development.

If you are enrolled at a university in a VET course, such as a Certificate III you are still eligible, as long as your course falls into one of our scholarship categories. Students enrolled or graduating from university degree courses, such as a Bachelor or Masters degree, are not eligible.

As a current or past Global Footprints Scholar you represent the program and its values, and it is expected that you conduct yourself accordingly when engaging with others in your role as a scholar.

We may ask that you assist us in promoting the program in Australia and abroad before, during and after your scholarship, and that you may become an active member of the scholarship alumni community. This may include promoting your Global Footprints Scholarship on social media, including it in your professional profile and recognising opportunities to network for the scholarship program.

Successful applicants receive a grant of AUD $9,000 in instalments to implement their scholarship plans and goals. Funds are subject to approval of scholarship itinerary and evidence of confirmed industry placements and activities.

Your scholarship will be paid in instalments once you have confirmed your work placement and scholarship itinerary. Once we have your confirmed placements and approved your plans, you will receive funds to purchase your flights.

Four weeks out from departure you will receive the funds to pay for accommodation and living expenses. A small amount will be retained until after your return to Australia and will be paid after completion of the final parts of the program.

You must depart for your scholarship by December 31st the year after you are awarded your scholarship. Any funds that have not been approved and transferred by the end of the following June will be cancelled.

Scholarships will be announced in August or September each year. You may leave as soon as you have completed your last pre-travel workshop, which will be held on the first Tuesday in December of each year.
You may depart any time after completing your last workshop and December 31 of the following year. This means that you may take up to 16 months before you start your scholarship journey.

During your scholarship you are expected to complete a minimum of four weeks of industry placement. This may include work experience, training, networking events and other industry activities. Most of our scholars travel for 2-3 months. We want you to get the most out of your scholarship opportunity and longer placements will be viewed favourably. There is no limit as to how long you can go for , however, you must share what you have learned on your trip with us within 6 months of departure.

You may travel with another person, however, you must not compromise your industry experience goals or funds received to accommodate your travel partner’s plans or expenses. The Global Footprints Scholarship is a once in a lifetime career development opportunity, and while we encourage you to travel and see the sights of the countries you visit, we expect all successful applicants to prioritise their scholarship goals while abroad.

Absolutely! We encourage our scholars to travel and see the sights of the countries you visit as that in itself is an invaluable opportunity to grow and learn. We do however expect all successful applicants to prioritise their scholarship goals.

If you are unsure if you fit into these categories get in touch and discuss it with us.

If your application is shortlisted, we will contact you and ask for supporting documentation to check your eligibility and answer any questions we have about your application.

This documentation may include;

• A copy of your birth certificate or passport to evidence your citizenship or residence and age

• Your current CV

• A copy of your qualification / form from your RTO

• A professional letter of reference from a suitable person (teacher, employer, etc.) to attest to your professional accomplishments and skill

• A personal letter of reference from a suitable person (not related to you) to attest to your character

• A quality portrait photo of yourself (head shot / passport photo)

• A performance photo or video showing you performing work in your chosen scholarship category – please note, this is to promote you and your scholarship on our website and social channels should you be awarded a scholarship.

• A more detailed outline of what you plan to do during your scholarship

• A short video (up to 90 seconds) of you summarising your responses to the five application questions and what the most important outcome of your scholarship would be

• You will also be able to include links to any other supporting documentation, photos, videos, etc. that you feel will support

You may be asked to submit additional information if the industry panel has further questions before making a final decision.

Global Footprint Scholarships are being awarded by BBM Ltd. We are an independent for-purpose organisation with no political or religious affiliations.

We exist to support young people to become practical and holistic leaders of the future who are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, committed to growing a better, more sustainable world.

BBM has been awarding scholarships since 1984, with more than 1,000 young Australians having travelled overseas to pursue their career goals and create a better future for themselves and their communities.

Our organisation and its programs are funded through the legacy of the historical Big Brother Movement, a youth migration scheme of the Australian Government that assisted young British men to migrate to Australia between 1925 and 1982.

Most of these young men pursued work in agriculture and the trades, and the organisation operated properties, including a training farm and hostels, to get new arrivals started.

When the program finished in 1983, the organisation’s assets were sold and proceeds were invested into a capital fund to support the successor organisation BBM Youth Support and its programs. The legacy of our youth migrants, alongside sponsorships from our industry partners, still funds the scholarship program and all our operations.

Please visit our Host Information page

www.globalfootprints.org.au/hosts