The Academy is delighted to continue its international engagement through the Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS Program), with support from the Australian Government as a component of the Australia-France Roadmap. These programs are due to be launched in January 2025 and will include research and collaboration grant opportunities and a new Visiting Fellowship program.
The objectives of the AFIPS Program are to:
- Facilitate deeper links between French, Australian, and Indo-Pacific scholars, students, and policy makers.
- 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.
- Promote greater shared understanding of Pacific issues and the main challenges of the region, including climate change and environmental issues.
- Strengthen Australia-France strategic policy engagement.
The AFIPS Program will be delivered by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia with support from the Australian Government and key stakeholders including the Australian National University (ANU) National Security College.
Program Elements:
Strategic Dialogues
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. These dialogues will involve participants from across the Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions, mainland France and French overseas territories.
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
The Visiting Fellowship Program
The Visiting Fellowship program will support early-career academic or professional researchers from Indo-Pacific Nations, France, and French overseas territories, with support from the Australian Government as part of the AFIPS Program. The Academy will facilitate visiting fellowships for up three months with one or more research organisations in Australia, with funding support for research, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Funding for visiting fellows of up to AU$18,900 for travel, stipend, and conference/training allowance will be available, enhancing research and translation capacities among social scientists working on issues of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants
The Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants will support 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, Indo-Pacific nations and French overseas territories. Strategic environment grants offer funding of up to AU$10,000 for collaborative projects lasting 12 to 24 months.
Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants
This opportunity is an expansion of the Academy’s existing Australia-France Collaborative Reserach Grants program, in partnership with the Embassy of France in Australia.
More information
More information will be available on this website, with applications for the Visiting Fellowship Program and Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment grants to open, in January 2025.
Please note that the Academy’s social media will not be monitored during 16 December 2024 until 13 January 2025.
For more information please contact –
Anna Devenport
international@socialsciences.org.au
