Fellowship program
A number of Fellowships are available each year for established researchers to undertake research into Australia’s prime ministers, their lives, achievements and governments. The Australian Prime Ministers Centre Fellowship program is unique in its support of research across the dispersed collections of prime ministerial materials. It also encourages innovative research resulting in new forms of scholarly communication, including those targeted to general audiences.
Fellows may use, but are not limited to, the Centre’s own collection. We encourage research into prime ministerial collections held throughout Australia and overseas.
Who can apply?
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre welcomes applications from established researchers who wish to work on a research project about Australia’s prime ministers, their lives, achievements and governments. Applicants should have scholarly credentials, preferably of at least Master’s or PhD level, or a record of equivalent achievement in their field. Relevant fields may include history, social sciences, politics, museum studies, librarianship, the performing arts, literature and art. Innovative research projects that support new forms of scholarly communication are particularly encouraged.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a research proposal for one of the following categories, although these are not exclusive:
- academic paper. eg published journal article, book, chapter, or website content
- bibliography. eg a project which locates and describes significant records, including audiovisual and other non-text based materials
- creative project. eg a script for a play, dramatic performance, the visual arts, or multimedia technology.
Fellowships are not awarded to support current postgraduate studies. Current students should consider applying for the Summer Scholarships.
Fellowship terms
The following section provides information on the expected outcomes, levels of funding, related support and timing of the fellowships.
Expected outcomes:
Fellows will be required to:
- undertake a significant research project that addresses the Centre’s key objectives;
- produce, or make substantial progress towards, an academic paper, bibliography or other creative project;
- spend 2 weeks based at Old Parliament House in Canberra during their tenure. (Terms may be modified for Fellows who generally reside overseas);
- as required, present one public lecture or staff seminar to Old Parliament House staff, invited guests, and members of the public. Further presentations may also be negotiated;
- be available for publicity purposes including interviews with the media in order to promote the receipt of the award, results of their research or the benefits of the Centre’s research and scholarship program;
- acknowledge the support of the Australian Prime Ministers Centre and the research and scholarship program in any publication or other material resulting from the research;
- provide a complimentary copy of any publications resulting from research conducted under the Fellowship to Old Parliament House; and
- prepare a brief report at the conclusion of the Fellowship.
Funding
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre will in general provide a grant of up to $16,000 to cover the following:
- travel to undertake research, including one return economy airfare to Canberra where applicable
- living subsidy during the period of the tenure
- research expenses.
Applicants should provide a research budget in their application. The sum of $16,000 is indicative only, proposed research budgets may be more or less than this depending on the nature of the research project. The actual amount of the grant awarded will be at the discretion of the selection panel.
Othr support
The Centre will also provide:
- fully equipped office accommodation in the Centre
- out-of-hours access to the Centre’s research collection and seminar room
- reference assistance by Centre staff to identify and locate material held within the Centre’s collection and other relevant collections.
Timing
- Successful Fellows may undertake their Fellowship at any time from the date of award until 30 June of the following year. Awards cannot be deferred.
- A Fellowship may be undertaken on either a full-time or a part-time basis, depending on the situation and requirements of the successful Fellow.
- In general, a full-time Fellowship would be for a maximum of three months and a part-time Fellowship for no more than 12 months.
- Fellows should aim to spend at least 2 weeks of their fellowship term based at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
Preparing your application
Applications for the 2008 Fellowship close on 26 September 2008.
Each application must include the following:
- application form
- curriculum vitae
- detailed research proposal
- two references
Application form
Download the application form here, complete the form and attach it to supporting documentation.
Curriculum vitae
The curriculum vitae should include details of relevant study and work experience. Where relevant, it should also include:
- details of other research awards previously held
- details of professional seminars/conference papers/public lectures/performances presented
- a list of published works.
The research proposal
The research proposal should indicate the relevance of the research project to the objectives of the Australian Prime Ministers Centre. The proposal should also:
- provide a comprehensive outline of the proposed topic of research
- indicate the anticipated outcomes and significance of the proposed research
- indicate the major collections that would be researched during the Fellowship
- include brief details of others who are working on the project
- indicate the audience(s) for the intended research
- indicate how the results of the proposed research will be published (book, journal, website etc) and how these results will promote the Centre
- indicate whether it would be part-time or full-time research
- indicate the period during which the Fellowship would be undertaken
- indicate anticipated dates of the in-residence period at Old Parliament House
- contain an indicative budget to cover travel, living and research expenses
The references
The two references should be from (academic) referees or others who are familiar with the applicant’s field, and should address the following selection criteria:
- the applicant’s qualifications, ability and experience
- the quality of the applicant’s previous research and publications
- the significance of the project to the field
A pro-forma referee report is available here.
References should be signed by both the applicant and the referee, or include the email trail. References should also include contact details of the referee (telephone, fax number and email address).
Assessment of applications
Applications close on 26 September 2008. Applications will be assessed during September-October, with applicants advised of the outcome in early November 2008. The selection panel consists of representatives from relevant professional bodies and collecting institutions.
In assessing each application the selection panel will take into account:
- the quality of the application
- the relevance and significance of the research proposal
- the ability of the applicant to meet the intended outcomes of their proposal
- the appropriateness of the proposed budget.
Where to send your application
Applications should be sent to the following address by 26 September 2008:
Linda Macfarlane
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre
Old Parliament House, King George Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600
Australia
An electronic copy should also be sent to info@apmc.oph.gov.au
Further information
For further information, please contact the Australian Prime Ministers Centre.
Alternatively, if you wish to discuss your application prior to lodgement, please contact Linda Macfarlane (02) 6270 8134 or email Linda.Macfarlane@oph.gov.au
