Applications are open for the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program 2025. This program aims to support research that will lead to positive outcomes such as improved service delivery, the development of new services, improved ability to advocate effectively or the improved capacity to undertake future research projects.
About Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program
A flagship program fostering community-engaged and coproductive research, the Community Fellows Program recognises that community organisations are often best placed to undertake the research most relevant to their organisation and the communities they serve.
Through the Community Fellows Program, they aim to support research that will lead to positive outcomes such as improved service delivery, the development of new services, improved ability to advocate effectively or the improved capacity to undertake future research projects. A small research budget will be allocated to each Community Fellow to enable them to undertake their research. A Collaboration Agreement will be created specifying project details, levels of financial support and expected outcomes.
Benefits of Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program
- Grants of $7,000 are made available to the community-based organisations to compensate them for the time that Fellows spend working on their research projects.
Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program Requirements
- Your organisation was not awarded a Community Fellowship as part of the 2023/2024 cohort.
- The head of your organisation/department is supportive of your application and your possible participation in this Program.
- You are an employee with valid working rights in Australia (they are unable to support volunteers).
- Your organisation is a small to medium-sized community organisation (up to 199 employees).
- Your organisation is incorporated and holds insurance to the value of $10 million public liability and $2 million professional indemnity insurance (this is a fairly typical level of coverage for small organisations).
- You are Victorian-based and able to spend time at the University's Parkville campus, including a three-day orientation on 12, 13 and 14 February 2025, as well as other research training and work-in-progress events throughout the year.
- You can commit 200 to 350 hours work on the project (depending on its complexity) including active participation in cohort-based activities.
In addition, successful applicants will:
- work at a community organisation that is involved in work that promotes social equity and works with marginalised communities.
- have a viable idea for an original project such as a scoping report, literature review, data analysis or a small research project.
- have a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- have a commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting ethical research.
- have experience in managing and completing projects.
- have the capacity to conduct the research project (with guidance and support from an
- Academic Mentor).
Application Date and Process
In addition to general contact and organisation information you will be asked to answer the following:
- Tell them about yourself and your work experience up to 100 words]
- Briefly describe the work of your organisation up to 100 words]
- Provide a short working title for your proposed research project [up to 25 words]
- Describe your proposed research idea and the challenge and/or opportunity it seeks to address up to 200 words]
- How will the Community Fellows Program help you achieve your aims? What support do you require from the University (e.g. academic mentoring, access to academic resources)? [up to 100 words]
- How will your organisation use the outputs / outcomes of your project? [up to 100 words}
You will also be asked to provide a CV and a letter of support from the head of your organisation.
Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
21 October, 2024
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Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program
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