Call for Applications: AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program 2026

Application Deadline: 29 May 2026

About the Fellowship

The Visiting Fellowship program supports early-career academic or professional researchers from (by nationality or residence) Indo-Pacific Nations, France (including French overseas territories), with support from the Australian Government as part of the AFIPS Program. The Academy facilitates visiting fellowships for up to three months with one or more research organisations in Australia (universities, think tanks, institutes). Through collaborative research, networking, and engagement activities, the fellowships aim to enhance research excellence, policy relevance, and knowledge exchange on topics of mutual strategic interest to Australia and the region. The program is part of the Australia-France Indo-Pacific Security (AFIPS) Program, a bilateral initiative strengthening cooperation between Australia and France on shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. By supporting early-career researchers, the program builds lasting people-to-people connections and fosters a new generation of experts with deep understanding of regional security, economic, and political dynamics.

Fellowship Benefits

Each fellowship includes funding of up to AU$18,900 to cover:

• Travel costs – round-trip airfare to Australia
• Living stipend – to cover accommodation and daily expenses during the fellowship period (up to three months)
• Conference or training allowance – to support professional development activities

Additional Benefits:

• Access to Australian research organisations; including universities, think tanks, and research institutes
• Opportunity to advance individual research projects in a new environment
• Networking with Australian and Indo-Pacific researchers and institutions
• Collaborative research and knowledge exchange on topics of mutual strategic interest
• Enhanced research excellence and policy relevance through cross-border collaboration

Why This Fellowship Matters

The Indo-Pacific region faces complex challenges that require collaborative, cross-border research and policy engagement. Climate change, geopolitical competition, maritime security, economic interdependence, and public health threats do not respect national boundaries. Effective responses demand shared knowledge, mutual understanding, and sustained cooperation between nations.

The AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program addresses this need by:

• Enabling early-career researchers to gain international experience and build lasting professional networks
• Facilitating knowledge exchange between Australia, France, and Indo-Pacific partners
• Strengthening research excellence by connecting scholars with Australian institutions and expertise
• Supporting policy-relevant research on topics of mutual strategic interest
• Building people-to-people links that underpin long-term regional cooperation

For early-career researchers, the fellowship offers a rare opportunity to:

• Conduct research in a new country with access to world-class facilities and expertise
• Expand professional networks across the Indo-Pacific region
• Enhance their CV and research profile with international experience
• Develop skills in policy engagement and knowledge translation
• Contribute to addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges

For Australian host organisations, the fellowship brings fresh perspectives, regional expertise, and opportunities for long-term collaboration with partners in the Indo-Pacific and France.

Eligibility Requirements

Nationality/Residence:

Applicants must be (by nationality or permanent residence) from:

• Indo-Pacific Nations (eligible countries include members of ASEAN, Pacific Islands Forum, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and other regional partners – specific list available in the guidelines)
• France (including French overseas territories)

Career Stage:

• Early-career academic or professional researchers
• Typically defined as within 5-7 years of completing a PhD or equivalent research experience
• May also include advanced PhD candidates with significant research progress

Research Focus:

• Topics of mutual strategic interest to Australia and the region
• Priority areas may include security, defence, climate resilience, economic cooperation, maritime affairs, cyber policy, health security, and other regional challenges

Host Organisation:

• Must be affiliated with or secure acceptance from one or more research organisations in Australia (universities, think tanks, institutes)
• Applicants should identify potential host organisations as part of their application

What the Fellowship Looks For

The AFIPS Visiting Fellowship seeks candidates who demonstrate:

Research Excellence:

• Strong academic or professional research record appropriate to career stage
• Clear and feasible research proposal aligned with program priorities
• Potential to publish or otherwise disseminate research findings

Policy Relevance:

• Research with practical implications for Australia and Indo-Pacific partners
• Engagement with policy communities or decision-makers
• Interest in translating research into actionable insights

Collaborative Potential:

• Willingness to engage with Australian researchers and institutions
• Openness to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Interest in building long-term connections between home and Australian organisations

Regional Impact:

• Potential to contribute to knowledge exchange and research capacity in the Indo-Pacific
• Commitment to sharing learning with home institution and broader research community
• Alignment with Australia-France- Indo-Pacific strategic cooperation goals

Application Process

Applicants must submit their applications through the online portal.

Required Application Materials (typical):

• Completed application form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting research experience and publications
• Research proposal outlining project objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes (usually 2-5 pages)
• Statement of relevance explaining how the research aligns with AFIPS priorities
• Letter of support or confirmation from proposed Australian host organisation (if available at time of application)
• Budget outline indicating how the AU$18,900 would be utilised
• Two academic or professional reference letters

Guidelines Link: To access the fellowship application guidelines click here

Fellowship Timeline

• Application deadline: 29 May 2026
• Review and selection: June – July 2026
• Notification of outcomes: August 2026
• Fellowship period: Up to three months between September 2026 and June 2027 (flexible start dates)

To apply Click Here

For More Information: view the guidelines and  visit the application portal