CSIRO and Fulbright partner on Flagship research

By June 25th, 2008

CSIRO and the Australian-American Fulbright Commission have entered into a partnership to sponsor a new scholarship beginning this year.

The Fulbright CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarship will enable one high-quality US postgraduate student per year to spend up to 12 months in Australia, working with one of the CSIRO National Research Flagships.

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Geoff Garrett AO, says that the scholarship will unite one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the world with Australia’s most ambitious research undertaking.

“The quality of Fulbright scholars is renowned and CSIRO is very pleased to offer one of them the chance to work on a project of real significance to Australia,” Dr Garrett says.

“While the Flagships target Australia’s national priorities in water, climate, energy, health and more, many of their innovative outcomes will contribute to worldwide responses to these challenges.”

The Australian Fulbright program was established in 1949 through the first treaty ever signed between Australia and the USA and is co-chaired by the Australian Prime Minister and US Ambassador to Australia.

“The quality of Fulbright scholars is renowned and CSIRO is very pleased to offer one of them the chance to work on a project of real significance to Australia,”

Dr Garrett says.

CSIRO has a long-standing relationship with the Fulbright program, with the first CSIRO staff member to receive a Fulbright scholarship spending time at Harvard University in 1950.

Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission, Mr Mark Darby says “We are excited to form this partnership with Australia’s premier scientific research organisation, CSIRO. This new scholarship will not only profile the quality science being done in Australia, but build long term collaborative links with leading US institutions and researchers.

Applications for this new scholarship are now open, with students applying through the normal US process.

For Australian citizens wishing to spend time in the USA, the Australian Fulbright program is also now open for applications.

More information is available on the Fulbright Commission’s website: www.fulbright.com.au

National Research Flagships

CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The nine Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.

Fast facts

  • The Fulbright CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarship will enable one high-quality US postgraduate student per year to spend up to 12 months in Australia, working with one of the CSIRO National Research Flagships
  • The scholarship will unite one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the world with Australia’s most ambitious research undertaking
  • The Australian Fulbright program was established in 1949 through the first treaty ever signed between Australia and the USA and is co-chaired by the Australian Prime Minister and US Ambassador to Australia