Australian Bicentennial Scholarships Fellowships

Reference request form

(British applications)

Section A: to be completed by the applicant

Referee DetailsApplicant Details

NameSurname

AddressFirst names

Dept.

Institution

Tel

emailDate of despatch

Section B: for the attention of the referee

Dear Sir/Madam

The above scholar, who has given your name as a referee, has applied for an Australian Bicentennial Scholarship/Fellowship to Australia under the terms of the scheme administered by the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies (see below for details). The objects of the scheme are to “promote scholarship, intellectual links, and mutual awareness and understanding between the United Kingdom and Australia, in particular:

a)to enable United Kingdom graduates to study in approved courses or undertake approved research in Australia;

b)to enable Australian graduates to study in approved courses or undertake approved research in the United Kingdom, and

c)to make allowance within the Scheme for disadvantaged persons.”

I would be most grateful if references could reach me by email at the address below,between23 February and27 April 2015. Due to the volume of applications it will not be possible to acknowledge receipt of references, so I take this opportunity of thanking you most sincerely for your assistance.

Yours faithfully

ProfessorCarlBridge

Head, Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, King’s College London

Email

Australian Bicentennial Scholarships Fellowships

Further particulars

Each year the Australian Bicentennial Scholarships and Fellowships Trust invites applications from British postgraduate students or academic staff members for Australian Bicentennial Scholarships and Fellowships tenable in Australia.

The objects of the scheme, as defined in the deed of Trust, are to ‘promote scholarship, intellectual links, and mutual awareness and understanding between the United Kingdom and Australia, in particular: a) to enable United Kingdom graduates to study in approved courses or undertake approved research in Australia; b) to enable Australian graduates to study in approved courses or undertake approved research in the United Kingdom; and c) to make allowance within the Scheme for disadvantaged persons.’

An applicant for a Scholarship must be registered as a post-graduate student at a British tertiary institution, or be eligible for such registration at an Australian tertiary institution, and be usually resident in the UK (‘usually resident’ is defined as living permanently in the UK for at least 3 years, excluding time spent in the country on an overseas student visa). He/she should normally have at least an upper second class honours degree.

An applicant for a Fellowship should have a good post-graduate degree or equivalent experience, and should be seeking to further his/her education or professional experience but not through taking a further degree.

Candidates may be in any discipline, but they must demonstrate that there are special scholarly or practical advantages to be gained from a period of study in Australia, and that an appropriate host institution is available. Younger scholars are preferred, but while there is no formal age limit a scholar or fellow must be likely to be able to make a formal contribution in his/her field for at least ten years. Each scholarship or fellowship will offer a grant of up to £4,000, and may be used to supplement other awards. Please note that preference is often given to applicants who can demonstrate that a Bicentennial grant will complete a guaranteed funding package for the whole degree or project. A successful applicant must provide evidence that they will undertake a period of research/study in Australia. A detailed report on the scholarship/fellowship is required within three months of the scholar’s/fellow’s return to the UK.

Application notes

The application should include:

  • a completed application form
  • a curriculum vitae (2 pages, incl. footnotes and references)
  • a statement detailing the research project,or programme of study,(2 pages) and where it is to be carried out
  • the names of two referees
  • evidence of having been accepted by the proposed host institution (this may be forwarded separately)
  • and details of any other awards applied for or received.

Please note that no other application form will be accepted. Incomplete applications will be considered ineligible. Applicants must arrange for their referees to send their reports direct to the Menzies Centre. The Centre does not pursue late references. Only emailed applications and references will be accepted.

Monies will be released between 1 August 2015 and31 July 2016. A scholar/fellow must take up the award by31 July 2016 or forfeit it.