APSA Congressional Fellowship Program Partners with American Australian Association

Programs

Congressional Fellowship Program

Media Release from the American Australian Association

American Australian Association announces the first Australian Capitol Hill "Congressional Fellowship" program in cooperation with the American Political Science Association (APSA) - award totals up to US$50,000

New York, NY Monday, July 17, 2006 - The American Australian Association (AAA) today announced the establishment of its first Australian Congressional Fellowship in Washington DC. In its first year, the program will provide the opportunity to award a single grant up to US$50,000 to an outstanding Australian future public policy or opinion leader to gain vital insider 'Hill' experience. The mid career professional that is selected will spend 10 months on the Hill working within a carefully constructed program that will provide insight into the workings of the U.S. Congress. This highly prestigious program will be run in cooperation with the American Political Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship program and will complement the Association's existing Education programs. This year the AAA provided 10 Fellowships to outstanding Australians to study in the United States and launched a joint initiative with the Australian Government to create a United States Studies Center in Australia.

The Fellowship may be awarded to an Australian candidate who can demonstrate both academic excellence and how their professional path would benefit Australia from the AAA APSA Congressional Fellowship. Potential candidates include political journalists, early-to-mid-career academics with outstanding records, and experts from the fields of foreign policy, economics, migration, environment, science, and social issues. Representatives from business, trade organizations, think tanks, and labor unions are invited to apply provided they can demonstrate existing political and public policy ties.

"The overall goal of the program is to provide insight and access to the U.S. legislative process for future policy and opinion leaders in Australia and to further enhance the relationships between our two countries," said Malcolm Binks, Chairman of the Association.

The Fellow who may be chosen will be based on: a commitment to transpacific US-Australian relations, quality of their written and oral presentation, preparation for the program, professional excellence, and current and future involvement in the public policy process in Australia. The Association joins only three other international organizations that participate in this 53 year program, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Fulbright program and the Asia Foundation.

For further information on exact program details and timelines please visit the American Political Science Association's website at: /section_165.cfm

For information on How to Apply please visit the Association's educational programs website at: www.americanaustralian.org/educational.

The Fellow will be chosen by an independent panel of prominent academics, entrepreneurs and business executives. Applications must be submitted by August 7, 2006, at 5 p.m. New York time; short-listed applicants will be interviewed by the judges in early August and winners will be notified by late August 2006.

About the American Australian Association: Founded in 1948, the American Australian Association is the largest non-profit organization in the United States devoted to relations between the United States and Australia and New Zealand; with operations throughout the New York / New Jersey / Connecticut tri-state and the New England and California regions. The Association builds alliances across the Pacific, particularly in the private sector. The Association has an active program of corporate, educational, economic, cultural and social activities. Please visit our website: www.americanaustralian.org

Fellowship & Media Inquiries: (Mr.) Gabriel Saffioti - Director of Corporate Affairs & Development, American Australian Association - tel: 212 338-6860 ext 203 fax: 212 338-6864; e-mail: gabriel.saffioti@aaanyc.org