Australian Not for Profit Fulbright Leadership Scholarship Announced
10 November 2011 at 10:53 am
The economic and social significance of the Australian Not for Profit sector is being be recognised with the launch of the first Australian Fulbright Scholarship created specifically for the sector.
The Fulbright Professional Scholarship in Non-Profit Leadership was launched in Sydney today by the U.S. Ambassador and Fulbright Commission Honorary Co-Chair, Jeffrey Bleich.
The scholarship is a joint initiative of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission , the Australian Scholarships Foundation and Origin Foundation.
The prestigious Fulbright Program is the largest educational scholarship of its kind and was created by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright and the U.S. Government in 1946. Aimed at promoting mutual understanding through educational exchange, it currently operates between the U.S. and more than 155 other nations.
The Australian-American Fulbright Program was established in 1949 through a bi-national treaty between the Australian and U.S. governments. The Prime Minister of Australia and the U.S. Ambassador serve as Honorary Co-Chairs.
The Program is funded by both governments and a generous group of sponsors, and awards about 50 Fulbright Scholarships every year to Australians and Americans.
“The recognition provided by a Fulbright Scholarship is extremely important in lifting the profile of the NFP sector,” says Chief Executive of the Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF), Amy Lyden.
“It emphasises the need to invest in the sector’s leadership capability.”
Dr Tangerine Holt, Fulbright Commission Executive Director, says that, “The Commission is delighted to partner with ASF and is thrilled with the investment made by the Origin Foundation to the NFP sector.
“It will provide an amazing opportunity for Not for Profit managers who are at the forefront of leadership to further develop their distinctive capabilities through the innovative exchange of knowledge and cultural engagement.”
Lyden says the new scholarship will enable managers and directors of NFP charitable organisations to enhance and improve their skills. The new knowledge they bring back to Australia will help to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector.
“The Australian not-for-profit sector touches virtually every Australian, yet few comprehend the scale or significance of the sector,” Lyden says.
“This means that improving the sector’s effectiveness in delivering its services represents big gains for the Australian community.”
The scholarship entails $40,000 per year to fund a three to four month education opportunity with a U.S. university or charitable organisation. One scholarship will be awarded each year from 2013 to 2017.
This scholarship will enable emerging leaders in the Australian NFP sector to undertake a program of research and professional development which would otherwise not be available to them. Recipients will have the opportunity to improve their academic skills and knowledge, exchange information with peers and join the prestigious alumni of Fulbright Scholars worldwide.
The first applications for the scholarship will be received in 2012. For those interested in applying for the scholarship, visit: www.scholarships.org.au
The Fulbright Alumni is an exclusive and prestigious group – membership of this group will further assist in raising the profile of the NFP sector in Australia. Former Australian recipients of Fulbright scholarships include: Professor Allan H M Fels; the Rt Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC; Dr Jill Ker Conway; Mr Frank T Moorhouse; Mr Nick Greiner AC; and Professor Nancy F Millis AC.
