Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowships

The Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Program gives three Queenslanders the opportunity to undertake research at the Smithsonian Institution based in the United States of America.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo. It has facilities in Washington, D.C. and New York City, and research centres in Arizona, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Belize, Panama and Kenya.

Important dates

May 2009: Applications open.

14 August 2009: Applications close.

November 2009: Fellows announced.

Eligible research areas
Applicants may apply to work in any area of mutual interest with the Smithsonian Institution. Potential fields of research include:

• evolutionary, systemic, behavioural and environmental biology
• biodiversity, conservation and climate change
• earth, mineral and planetary sciences
• astrophysics
• anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and Indigenous and cross-cultural studies
• material and folk culture
• science and technology
• art, design, crafts and the decorative arts
• materials conservation
• museum management practice, education and outreach.

Take a look at previous fellows' projects.

Project duration
Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowships are for 13 to 26 weeks.

Maximum award
Up to A$30,000 will be awarded per fellowship. The amount depends on the project duration and covers:

a base amount of A$4,000 to cover airfares etc, and

a weekly contribution of A$1,000 towards the fellow's cost of living for the duration of the fellowship.

Obligations as a fellow
All fellows are required to:

• enter into a formal agreement with the Queensland Government
• take up the fellowship within 12 months of notification
• provide a written report on the project results and make presentations to interested parties when the project is finished, and
• make every reasonable effort to attend the fellowship announcement function.

How to apply

1. Read the application guidelines.

2. Fill in the application form (PDF or DOC).

3. Arrange for two referees to complete the referee's report form (PDF or DOC). Applications submitted without these will not be considered.

4. Check you have included all attachments listed in Section 9 of the application form.

5. Submit your original application and nine copies by 5pm on 14 August 2009 to:

Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Secretariat
International Collaborations
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Executive Building Floor 4
100 George Street Brisbane
PO Box 15185
CITY EAST QLD 4002

More information

See applicant information, or contact International Collaborations on 07 3405 5620 or email international.collaborations@premiers.qld.gov.au.

You can also download the Fellowship Tip Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions as well as the Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship program presentation

If you're having difficulty accessing this PDF document contact us on 07 3405 5620 or email international.collaborations@deedi.qld.gov.au and the information will be provided in a suitable format.