Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity Program – Australia & New Zealand

Deadline: 31-Aug-21

Applications are now open for the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Program to support Fellows to work together to recognise their inherent strengths, develop their talents, and advance the aspirations and interests of Indigenous communities as they collectively work towards the creation of more equitable and inclusive societies.

The AFSE Fellowship is a life-changing investment into Indigenous-led social change, based at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

It is a twenty-year investment into Indigenous-led social change through a powerful network of Fellows.

It has two features:

an intensive foundation year with postgraduate qualification at the University of Melbourne (fee-free);
followed by a lifelong membership in a global community of change-makers across seven international Atlantic hubs.

Themes

Elevating Indigenous Knowledges: At the centre of this Program theme is a commitment to starting with Indigenous knowledges. Each module begins with a formal Welcome to Country, elevating Indigenous ways of knowing and agency as the first consideration of new topics, and to connect to embodied Indigenous experiences to underpin the sense of systemic social change.
Creating Fellowship: The development of relational bonds, trust and rigorous dialogic engagement with the cohort of Fellows, is central to the AFSE Program. Through relational and collective thinking and doing, the Fellows will together create Indigenous-led systemic change.
Truth Telling: this Program theme provides Fellows with the resources and tools to make sense of the power of history in shaping the past, present and future. Through access to Indigenous and non-Indigenous expertise, the Fellows will develop empowered Indigenous-led ways of analysing how systems operate and interconnect with truth telling.
Transforming Narrative: This Program theme creates a unique opportunity for emergent, alternative narratives and counter-narratives that transform by challenging the prevailing socio-economic and political status quo that sustains inequity.

Benefits

AFSE meets the full cost of all course fees for the postgraduate study (Masters or Graduate Certificate of Social Change Leadership) at the University of Melbourne, and all associated Student Services and Amenities Fees. Fellows will not incur a HECS-HELP debt as a result of their enrolment.
In addition to tuition fees, every Fellow receives:
- a basic stipend of $10,000 (to remove barriers to participation, can be used to purchase laptops, childcare, and to cover incidental expenses, etc.)
- access to a professional development fund of $3,500 in total (available for up to 3 years)
- access to project development fund $25,000 in total (available for up to 3 years)
The cost of participation in the fellowship 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 $31,800 is available. Whether a further stipend is needed is determined on an individual basis and will be discussed at the time of interview with applicants. The need for this stipend support does not determine outcome. They are also aware that not all needs based circumstances require the full stipend. Some examples of previous Fellows receiving the equity stipend include:
- Fellows requiring some additional financial support to participate in the fellowship because they have to take unpaid leave from their work.
- Fellows losing their work (e.g. due to COVID-19 circumstances) and needing funds to participate.
Fellows who are able to maintain their current employment while also participating fully in the program are not eligible for the ‘needs based’ stipend. There can be extraordinary circumstances that occur during the year where a Fellow may require further support, but it is decided at the time. The stipend is not salary replacement.

Eligibility Criteria

The AFSE fellowship is designed for community focused, mid-career applicants. As an Indigenousled social equity program, the majority of the Fellows are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori peoples.
However, there are places for non-Indigenous peoples from Australia and New Zealand 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.
In addition, Pacific Island peoples from New Zealand and Australia, and who have citizenship or permanent residency, and work with Indigenous communities are especially encouraged to apply.
AFSE welcomes between 20 and 25 Fellows each year.
Applicants 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 New Zealand?
- Not enrolled in any other form of study in 2022 (or have your thesis under examination as at January 2022)?
- Willing to commit to a non-residential fellowship year, including:
- 7 weeks’ travel away from home across the year
- approximately 10 hours study time per week
- 5000-word assessments per subject (8 subjects for the Masters and 4 subjects for the Graduate Certificate).