Essential guidance for applying to the next cohort of Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity
AFSE is receiving more high-quality applications each year. Proposals don’t have to be polished or corporate, but we are looking for well-prepared and justified project applications. Successful applications tend to be prepared well in advance of application close date and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Working collaboratively
The third selection criterion is “a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively”. We have received some applications with novel ideas, but without evidence of experience or readiness to work in a collaborative environment. We see this as key to your success in the Fellowship and for project implementation and impact.
Please contact us to discuss your approach well in advance if you are planning to submit a joint application with another person. Places are limited and AFSE can provide advice about how to present your work for consideration.
Some ideas and proposed projects have received were already well-established, and had the partnerships and funding required for implementation. In these cases, it was not clear how the Fellowship could develop the work further.
Communicating your project
Don’t spend too much time telling us about the problem your project is solving. The best proposals get to the main point of the project in the first sentence or two. AFSE is proud to be led by Indigenous academics who are familiar with the origins and consequences of colonialism, racism and inequity. Spend the limited time/space you have in the application describing your project instead of providing a recap of the damage colonialism has done to our families, communities and lands.
It’s worth doing some preliminary research on what’s already being done in the area of your project. This is especially important if you are using the project and the Fellowship to change industries or sectors, but also important to justify the merit and ethics of your idea. Can you briefly describe what has happened – or not happened – in your field, sector or area that makes your project important? Is your project replicating existing work you might not be familiar with? Could it build on existing work?
Discussing your ideas with others can help. Make sure you can briefly describe what has been done in your field, sector or area, or gaps that exist. What makes your project important? It can build on existing work but be clear about what it adds.
Achieving clarity: be able to explain what you want to do, why you want to do it and for whom you are doing it. Avoid jargon and acronyms. Imagine the questions the reader would have and answer them. While stating your problem succinctly make sure you spend adequate space in the proposal on the solution you propose.
Making your video
We ask you to answer two questions in the video: 1) why will this program benefit you and 2) why is this the right program for you at this point in time. We encourage you to incorporate into your answer any ways you have prepared for the Fellowship or plan to make space for the Fellowship and full-time study amongst your other commitments.
Be authentic, show us your passion for this idea both in the application and your video; be conversational in tone (rather than formal writing and reading a script on the video).
It can help to practice your video a few times and get comfortable in front of the camera. Being relaxed in your video helps the viewer to connect with the content and your personality.
For more information check out our FAQs page or email apply-atlanticfellows@unimelb.edu.au
