Anne Wexler Master's Scholarships in Public Policy

Application information for Australian Applicants

Eligibility

Nationality
Applicants must be Australian citizens by birth or naturalization and whose permanent residence is in Australia. Evidence of citizenship must be supplied with the applications (eg birth certificates or biodata page of passport)

Academic qualifications
Undergraduate academic record leading to an Australian Bachelors degree which would meet admission requirements to a U.S. Masters program.

Residency requirements
Applicants must have been a full time resident in Australia for at least two of the past five years.

Age
As a guideline, applicants should be under 40 years of age when applications close.

Interview requirement
Short-listed applicants must be available to attend an interview by video conference or similar.

Medical requirements
Successful applicants will be required to pass a medical examination at their own expense before a Scholarship offer can be finalised.

Previous experience
Previous travel (either personal or professional) to the U.S. will not exclude applicants, however where two applications are considered of equal merit, preference will be given to the applicant who has not previously travelled to the U.S.

Other Scholarships
Wexler Scholars cannot be in receipt of other scholarships which fully fund a Master’s degree program.

Selection criteria:

Applicants will be selected on the following criteria:

High academic and professional merit: Applicants must have a record of achievement in their chosen field, such as academic record, publications, professional recognition or presentations.

Scholarship proposal:  Proposals need to be feasible and relevant to the interests of the applicant, and Australia and the U.S.

Proposals should:

• Outline the study program and or research project
• Define and outline goals of the project and their significance to Australian and United States interests and its institutions in achieving these goals
• Define the relevance and value of the program to further the mutual understanding and relationships between the United States and Australia
• Outline potential outcomes
• Define the potential benefits to the applicant's institution, employer and/or profession
• Outline how results and/or outcomes will be disseminated
• Outline the long term links that may be established at a personal, or professional level.

Leadership potential: Applicants must outline their ability to promote mutual understanding between Australia and the United States.

Adaptability: Applicants must demonstrate their willingness to adjust successfully to life in the U.S.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed by an expert multi-discipinary selection committee established by the Fulbright Commission. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview, which may be by teleconference or video conference. Final approval will be by the bi-national Anne Wexler Scholarship Board.

Scholarship Conditions:

Commencement of studies
The Wexler Scholarship must be commenced after 1 July 2012 and before 30 June 2013. Candidates must spend a minimum of one academic year in the host country and and complete a full Masters degree while in receipt of the Anne Wexler Scholarship. Wexler Scholarships cannot be deferred. The Scholarship cannot be used to fund a Master's degree program which has already commenced.

Other Scholarships
Wexler Scholars cannot be in receipt of other scholarships which fully fund their Master’s degree program

Employment
Wexler Scholars can receive payment for their services (i.e. guest lecture, performance, teaching assistance, research) as long as it directly relates to, and does not interfere with their academic program and complies with the conditions of their visa.

Visa requirement
Wexler Scholars must travel on an approved visa. Advice on obtaining a visa will be provided by the Program Manager. Employment opportunities depend on visa conditions.

Funding period
Funding is for a maximum of two years. If staying longer, scholars are required to provide proof of funds to support the remainder of their stay in the United States.

Non-transferable scholarship benefits
The benefits offered under a Wexler Scholarship are not transferable either in whole or in part to any other person or for any other purpose.

Any significant change in a scholar's plans from those stated in the original Scholarship application must be approved by the Fulbright Commission before any benefit under the Scholarship will be granted or continued.

Host institution
Successful candidates must prove affiliation with a host U.S. institution via proof of enrolment.

If affiliation is in progress but unconfirmed at time of application submission, please provide any email/s or copies of informal correspondence which indicate current negotiations.

Travel
An allowance for travel is provided.

Scholars are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and where possible, must use U.S. or Australian airlines for their flights to and from the United States.

Final Report
Wexler Scholars will be required to submit 6 monthly progress reports and a detailed final report to the Fulbright Commission on completion of their studies.

Application information

In order to apply, interested individuals must complete a formal application Application Form.

Applications must include 3 references using the Referee Form.

Application and referee forms:

Application and referee forms will be available when scholarships open in 2012. Sample application forms are available below to assist with preparation for applications.

Download the sample application form.

Download the sample referee form.

For further information

For all scholarship application enquiries, contact the Manager, Scholarships and Strategic Engagement at the Fulbright Commission.

For Australian applicants seeking assistance in identifying a suitable U.S. educational institution, contact your local U.S. Educational Advisor in Australia.

Note: Referees must have known the applicant for a minimum of 12 months

Selection Process and timeline:

Applications open	1 July 2011
Application close	5pm AEST, 30 September 2011
Short-listed candidates notified	Early November 2011
Interviews for short-listed candidates	Mid-November 2011
Final approval by Wexler Board	End of November 2011
Candidates advised of outcome	Early December 2011

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