Application Deadline: 5 August 2024
Applications are now open for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Fellowship. The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) is a life-changing fellowship for Indigenous social equity in Australia, Aotearoa and Pacific Island nations. Based at the University of Melbourne, the AFSE program represents a 20+ year investment into Indigenous-led social change through a powerful network of Fellows.
It has two features:
• An intensive foundation year where Fellows undertake a Master of Social Change Leadership at the University of Melbourne (fee-free), attend six in-person modules and develop a social change project to deliver upon completion.
• Following the foundation year, Fellows graduate and become members of the global Atlantic Fellows community, made up of change-makers from across seven hubs coordinated and led by the Atlantic Institute in Oxford. As of May 2024, there are 902 Atlantic Fellows who are active in over 80 countries.
Eligibility
The AFSE Fellowship is designed for community-focused, mid-career applicants. As an Indigenous-led social equity program, the majority of Fellows are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples. However, there are places for non-Indigenous peoples from Australia, Aotearoa and Pacific Island nations who demonstrate a track-record of work in Indigenous affairs and have standing in community as a result of their long-term commitment to Indigenous equity. AFSE welcomes around 20 Fellows each year. You do not have to have an undergraduate degree to apply but if selected will have to undertake postgraduate study.
Are you:
- A citizen or permanent resident of Australia or Aotearoa or a Pacific Island nation?
- Not enrolled in any other form of study in 2025 (or have your thesis under examination as at January 2025)?
- Not already an Atlantic Fellow or a participant in another Atlantic Fellowship program?
- Willing to commit to a non-residential foundation year experience, which includes:
- Seven weeks’ travel away from home across the year (see dates in the next section);
- Approximately ten hours of study time per week;
- 5000-word assessments per subject (there are eight subjects in total)?
Do you:
- Have an undergraduate degree or five to eight years of work experience in social change?
- Have proficiency in English?
- Have a passport or ability to acquire a passport (for international travel)?
- If you are employed, have the support of your employer to complete a full year non-residential program which requires at least seven weeks away from work, plus additional study time as required?
Benefits
AFSE meets the full cost of all course fees for the postgraduate study (Master’s or Graduate Certificate of Social Change Leadership) at the University of Melbourne, and all associated Student Services and Amenities Fees. This applies to all Fellows.
- In addition to tuition fees, every Fellow receives: • a basic stipend of $10,000 (to remove barriers to participation, which can be used to purchase laptops, childcare, to cover incidental expenses, etc.)
• access to a professional development fund of AUD$3,500 in total (available for up to three years)
• eligibility to apply for up to AUD$25,000 in project development funds (available for up to three years) post-foundation year, once you have a project plan ready to goThe cost of participation in the foundation year will be met by AFSE, including: • travel and accommodation expenses
• special events relating to the program (e.g. dinners, graduations, guest speakers, etc.)
• special activities associated with the program (e.g. theatre, art exhibitions, etc.) In addition, an equity stipend of up to $42,000 is available. The equity stipend is allocated as needed to support participation in the Fellowship. Eligibility for or need for the stipend has no bearing on your selection into the Fellowship. Some examples of previous Fellows receiving the equity stipend include:• A Fellow takes unpaid leave from time to time to attend face to face modules and make time for study.
• A Fellow steps away from paid employment for the year to focus on the Fellowship.
• A self-employed Fellow chooses to take on fewer contracts throughout the year to ensure they have enough time for the Fellowship. There are equity stipend check-ins throughout the year, so if your circumstances change, we can respond to those changes. The stipend payments are intended to facilitate participation during the foundation year, and are not a salary replacement.
More Info: Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Fellowship
