Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) / University of Melbourne
Fully funded one-year leadership fellowship for Indigenous and Pacific leaders and allies driving social change in Australia, Aotearoa NZ, and the Pacific.
The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Fellowship Program is a prestigious, fully funded one-year leadership fellowship for up to 20 Indigenous and Pacific leaders — and committed allies — from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and eligible Pacific Island nations.
Fellows undertake either a fee-free Master of Social Change Leadership or a Graduate Certificate in Social Change Leadership at the University of Melbourne, without needing to relocate full-time. Instead, the programme is structured around five intensive in-person modules held across Melbourne, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations (approximately 40 days of travel), complemented by fortnightly online tutorials.
A central feature is each Fellow's Social Change Initiative — a practical, community-rooted project that participants develop and strengthen throughout the year. Projects can span public policy, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, cultural preservation, media and storytelling, the arts, community development, and more.
The fellowship covers full tuition, all travel costs for modules, and accommodation during intensive sessions. Fellows also receive academic supervision, mentorship, and peer learning grounded in Indigenous and Pacific knowledge systems.
Upon completing the Foundation Year, participants become Senior Fellows and lifelong members of the global Atlantic Fellows network — a community of over 1,100 Fellows from 70+ countries — with ongoing access to international summits at Rhodes House, Oxford, collaborative projects, and further funding opportunities.
Key dates:
To apply, you'll need:
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or an eligible Pacific Island nation, hold an undergraduate degree or have 5–8+ years of relevant leadership experience, and have at least five years of community or professional leadership experience.
