Australia–France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS)

The Academy is delighted to continue its international engagement through the Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS Program).

The 2024-2027 Australia–France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS) is a flagship initiative delivered by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, with support from the Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). As part of the Australia–France Roadmap: A New Agenda for Bilateral Cooperation signed on 4 December 2023 by Foreign Ministers Penny Wong and Catherine Colonna, following its endorsement by Prime Minister Albanese and President Macron in July 2022, the AFIPS program contributes to strengthening long-term academic, policy, and institutional linkages between Australia, France, and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Anchored in the shared strategic commitment to advancing peace, resilience, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the program supports interdisciplinary, policy-relevant social science research and dialogue that addresses key regional challenges, including strategic competition and security dynamics, climate change, environmental resilience, and sustainable development.

The AFIPS program recognises the vital role of the social sciences in analysing complex regional dynamics, informing policy responses, and fostering inclusive, evidence-based approaches to cooperation. By supporting collaborative research, fellowships, and dialogue across academic, civil society, and policy communities, the program aims to generate new knowledge, strengthen regional expertise, and build enduring partnerships that contribute to a more stable and informed Indo-Pacific region.

Promote greater shared understanding of Pacific issues and the main challenges of the region, including climate change and environmental issues.
Develop high quality strategic research and distinctive perspectives on trends in the Indo-Pacific to help shape the region and the globe, and draw insights with tangible value for Australian policymakers, scholars, and the public.
Facilitate deeper links between French, Australian, and Indo-Pacific scholars, students, and policy makers.
Strengthen Australia-France strategic policy engagement.

The components of the 2024-2027 AFIPS Program are:

Applications for the 2026 (Round 2) AFIPS Visiting Fellowships, Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment grants, and Pacific Social Science grants will open on 1 September and close on 13 October 2025.

The Academy is hosting a virtual information session on 2 October 2025 for those interested in finding out more about the program or submitting an application.

View the event and register here:

Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program: Information Session

Australia-France Strategic Dialogues (Track 1.5 & Track 2)

The Academy has partnered with the National Security College at ANU to organise in-person and virtual strategic dialogues on security and defence trends in the Indo-Pacific, that aim to shape policymaking.

Track 1.5 Strategic Dialogues (in-person)

The first Track 1.5 Strategic Dialogue was held on 3–4 December 2024 in Canberra, bringing together more than 50 Australian and French experts, officials, and practitioners for a high-level exchange on regional and global security. Hosted by the National Security College at the Australian National University in partnership with leading French think-tank La Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS), and supported by both governments under the Australia–France Roadmap: A New Agenda for Bilateral Cooperation, the dialogue featured candid discussions across a wide range of topics, including major-power relations, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, South Pacific stability, economic and energy security, cyber and critical technologies, and next steps for the Australia–France partnership.

This initiative, delivered in collaboration with the Academy under the AFIPS Program, reinforced the need for deeper cooperation that reaches beyond narrow definitions of security, engaging policy, academia, and the private sector in shaping a shared, practical agenda.

More details of the first Track 1.5 Strategic Dialogue held on the 3 and 4 December 2024 can be found here: Statement: Australia-France 1.5 Track Strategic Dialogue, 3-4 December 2024 | National Security College.

Track 2 Strategic Dialogues (virtual)

Two Track 2 virtual dialogues will be held in September and October 2025 as part of the ongoing AFIPS Program. These dialogues will bring together academic, policy, and civil society voices from across the Indo-Pacific regionto explore emerging security challenges and opportunities with a focus on deepening bilateral understanding and generating practical, forward-looking recommendations. More details will follow soon.

Visiting Fellowship Program

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 three months with one or more research organisations in Australia (universities, think tanks, institutes). Each fellowship includes funding of up to AU$18,900 to cover travel costs, a living stipend, and a conference or training allowance. The program enables visiting fellows to advance their individual research projects while also building meaningful connections with Australian and Indo-Pacific researchers and institutions.Through collaborative research, networking, and engagement activities, the fellowships aim to enhance research excellence, policy relevance, and knowledge exchange on topics of mutual strategic interestto Australia and the region.

Guidelines

Guidelines can be found here: AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program – Guidelines 2026

Please review the guidelines carefully before preparing and submitting your application.

How to apply

To apply for the AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program (Round 2 – 2026), please click on the links below to take you to the AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program application form and the AFIPS Visiting Fellowship host endorsement form.

Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants

The Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants supports collaborative research projects and exchange focusing on the regional strategic environment, including on economic and non-traditional security issues.

Grants are available to researchers from Australia, France (including French overseas territories), and Indo-Pacific nations. Strategic environment grants offer funding of up to AU$10,000 per annum for collaborative projects lasting 12 to 24 months.

Guidelines

Guidelines can be found here: Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants – Guidelines 2026

Please review the guidelines carefully before preparing and submitting and application.

How to apply

To apply for the AFIPS Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants (Round 2 – 2026), please click on the links below to take you to the application form:

AFIPS Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants – Application Portal 2026

Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants

The Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants provide seed funding of up to AUD$5,000 per annum to support collaborative research (joint projects and exchanges) in and on the Pacific, including challenges around climate change, food and resources.

The program particularly encourages applications from early and mid-career researchers and aims to strengthen scholarly networks and long-term partnerships across the region.

Funded activities may include researcher exchanges, mobility, workshops, fieldwork, and other initiatives.

Guidelines

Guidelines can be found here: Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants – Guidelines 2026

Please review the guidelines carefully before preparing and submitting and application.

How to apply

To apply for the AFIPS Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants (Round 2 – 2026), please click on the links below to take you to the application form: