Scholarships for Women in Australia 2009

AFUW QLD, the Queensland association of the Australian Federation of University Women, has been providing fellowships and scholarships for postgraduate research or study since 1972. AFUWQ is part of the International Federation of University Women.

A branch of AFUWQ, the Fellowship Fund Branch, Inc (FFI), was incorporated in 1983 to perform the management and administration of Fellowships.

FFI owns and manages the Academic Dress Hire Service (ADHS). It is a charitable organization and profits from its operations together with investment funds, provide Fellowships to women postgraduate students.

Our Fellowships have been awarded to women graduates from more than ten countries, and have supported studies in a wide range of disciplines, for example: marine biology, architecture, law, literature, radiography, mathematics, social work, archaeology, economics, molecular biology, management, music, information technology and performing arts.

Our aim is to assist women with tertiary qualifications to increase their knowledge and broaden their experience through studying or working in a different environment.

Graduates, on their Graduation day, are encouraged to contribute to the work of FFI by donating their refund cheque back to the organization for the provision of Fellowships.

Guidelines for Applicants

Applications for study in 2010 are due June 30th, 2009

Warning:
It is the responsibility of each applicant to read these Guidelines completely and carefully. Each application must be received by the due date, using the specified forms, and must be complete in every respect (refer ‘Applications’ Items 1-6 checklist on website). An incomplete or late application may jeopardise your prospects of being awarded a Fellowship, regardless of the quality of your submission. Applications must be received in hard copy. Facsimiled or emailed applications will not be considered.

The Fellowships

The Fellowship Fund Branch of AFUWQ Inc (FFI) awards two types of fellowship. These are:

• The Freda Bage Fellowship (three years), and
• The Commemorative Fellowships (one year).

The details of each are explained below. The Fellowships are named after women who have made outstanding contributions as scholars and leaders in tertiary institutions in Queensland.
Applicants may apply for both types of Fellowship in the one year (see the Application Form).

The Freda Bage Fellowship

• only available for PhD studies;
• studies must commence by September of the year following receipt of the award;
• maximum period of the Fellowship is three years;
• the annual stipend is paid in two parts, usually in January and July;
• the first payment is made following finalisation of Fellowship documentation and FFI’s satisfaction that the program of study has been accepted by the nominated institution;
• subsequent stipend payments are subject to satisfactory progress of the research work, as indicated by receipt of progress reports from the Fellowship recipient signed by the supervisor of the research work at the end of years one and two;
• a final typewritten report is required at completion of the Fellowship, and should include information about any publications arising from the funded study.

The Commemorative Fellowships

Molly Budtz-Olsen, Dorothy Davidson, Freda Freeman, Audrey Harrisson, Audrey Jorss, Mary McSweeney, Margaret Mittelheuser, Betty Patterson, Rosemary Venton, Barbara Williams and University of Queensland.

• may be used for formal postgraduate study consistent with the aims of FFI;
• maximum period of the Fellowship is one year commencing by September 2009;
• successful applicants may reapply for a Fellowship in subsequent years;
• the stipend is paid in two parts, usually in January and July
  • one half following finalisation of Fellowship documentation and FFI’s satisfaction that the program of study has been accepted by the nominated institution, and
  • subject to the conditions below, one half after six months of tenure;
• second stipend payment is subject to satisfactory progress as indicated by a progress report from the Fellowship recipient after six months of tenure;
• a final typewritten report is required at completion of the Fellowship, and should include information about any publications arising from the funded study.

Eligibility

Fellowships are open to women scholars who:

• are graduates of a recognized tertiary institution from any country and are intending to take up or continue postgraduate studies at a recognized tertiary institution in Queensland, Australia, or
• have graduated at a recognized tertiary institution in Queensland, and are intending to take up or continue postgraduate studies at a recognized tertiary institution elsewhere.

Value

The annual value of the Fellowships is linked to the value of Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) plus 10%. As an indication, an APA in 2008 was worth $22,020 per year.

Number of Fellowships

FFI may vary the number of Fellowships awarded from year to year for any reason. As a guide only, the annual number of awards made in recent years has been in the order of 5 - 6 Fellowships. FFI reserves the right not to award Fellowships in any year.

Selection Criteria

FFI awards its Fellowships using a holistic review and selection process. Applications from all academic disciplines are welcome. FFI’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into in respect of any aspect of the applications and awards process. Applicants who miss out in any given year are welcome to reapply in subsequent years; however, as a matter of policy, FFI does not offer opinions or advice on the quality or future prospects of unsuccessful applications.

The Process

1. You submit your application so that FFI receives it by the closing date.
2. All received applications are acknowledged in writing.
3. Applicants who pass the stage 1 competitive review process are asked to participate in an interview. This is either face to face at The University of Queensland, or by telephone for regional and overseas applicants. Interviews take approximately 20 minutes. Interviews typically take place in September / October. Interviews provide an opportunity for applicants to concisely articulate the key aspects and benefits of their research proposals.
4. FFI endeavours to make offers to Fellowships no later than November.
5. FFI’s policy is to advise unsuccessful candidates at the earliest practical time.

To help us, and to help your application

1. Be on time: Make sure we receive your application by the due date.
2. Be complete: Check you have supplied ‘Application’ Items 1 - 6 as per the website. Remember: An incomplete application may jeopardize your prospects.
3. Use the right forms: Use the application form and the referee forms on the website.
4. Post your application: We do not accept emailed or facsimiled applications.
5. Give your referees time: Don’t leave your referee reports to the last minute.
6. ‘Long term’ contact: We need to stay in contact with you. If you are likely to change address, institution, or country during your application, then on your Application Form provide us with personal email and postal details where we will find you even if you are moving around.
7. We will contact you: Please be patient during the review process. While you will be keen to know the status of your application, your ringing or emailing won’t speed up the process. It is best to wait until we contact you.
8. Change in circumstances: If for any reason your circumstances change (for example, you change your course of study, receive another scholarship, or enter full-time employment) you must contact the Registrar in writing immediately in order that your eligibility for a fellowship may be re-assessed. Note: Receipt of another scholarship or full-time employment disqualifies one from receiving an FFI fellowship.

Further Scholarship Information and Application