Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy
Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy are for outstanding mid-career American professionals to research and gain first-hand experience of public policy in New Zealand. Two or three Fellowships of three to seven months in duration are granted each year.
Closing date: 15 April annually
Established in 1995 by the New Zealand Government to reinforce links between New Zealand and the US, Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy provide the opportunity for participants to gain firsthand knowledge of public policy in New Zealand, including economic, social and political reforms and management of the government sector.
The programme has three goals:
- to help improve the practice of public policy in New Zealand and the United States by the cross-fertilization of ideas and experience in the two countries;
- to reinforce New Zealand-United States links by enabling Americans of high intellectual ability and leadership potential to come to New Zealand to gain experience and build contacts in the field of public policy development; and
- to build a network of public policy experts on both sides of the Pacific, and encourage ongoing policy exchange between New Zealand and the United States.
Candidates will work with the Fellowship Office (Fulbright New Zealand) to identify a suitable contact in the Wellington-based New Zealand organisation(s) they wish to be placed at prior to applying. This will give the organisation an opportunity to discuss ideas with the candidate and assess suitability and capacity.
The fellowship can be anywhere from three to seven months in duration. A shorter fellowship, of say three months, might suit a candidate not wishing to relocate their family, or may better suit a host institution that has a succinct topic or piece of work needing expert eyes.
Candidates should approach their application with a preferred duration in mind and understand however that flexibility may be required.
The key differences between the shorter and longer fellowships are:
Short Fellowship
Duration: Three to five months
Stipend: Up to a maximum NZ$5,000 per month (this is adjusted if Fellow is receiving income from their home institution)
Travel: International return flights estimated at NZ$4,000
Dependents’ Allowance: none
Dependents’ Travel: A one-off grant of up to NZ$4,000 to go towards flights for a dependents’ visit (either by the Fellow back to the US or by dependents to visit NZ)
Output: A written research report; an individualised workplan with outputs negotiated with the host agency on specific policy topics (this may include internal departmental policy advice and international perspective); a report-back seminar; a Fulbright NZ evaluation report.
Long Fellowship
Duration: Six to seven months
Stipend: Up to a maximum of NZ$5,000 per month (this is adjusted if Fellow is receiving income from their home institution)
Travel: International return flights estimated at NZ$4,000
Dependents’ Allowance: NZ$1,500 per month (regardless of how many dependents, provided they spend at least 80% of the fellowship tenure in NZ)
Dependents’ Travel: International return flights estimated at NZ$4,000 per person up to NZ$12,000 (three dependents)
Output: A final in-depth written research report; a report-back seminar; a Fulbright NZ evaluation report
Final decisions on placement will be made by the Fellowships Office, after full consultation with Fellows, host organisations, and the programme’s expert advisors. Successful candidates will be based at a New Zealand government host organisation in Wellington. Fulbright New Zealand will work with the host organisation and the Fellow to finalise a suitable host agency mentor.
The Fellow should utilise their US contacts and the assistance of their host organisation to source appropriate US academic mentors. A New Zealand academic mentor will be appointed in discussion with Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Government and the host agency. The organisation of the Fellow’s specific research project and fellowship programme will be left largely to the Fellow and his/her host organisation, with an orientation briefing and oversight by the Axford Fellowships Office in New Zealand (which is Fulbright New Zealand). When necessary, further consultation will be provided.
In addition, Fellows will be expected to spend a substantial part of their time in contact with relevant organisations outside their host organisation to gain practical experience in their policy field in New Zealand. At the conclusion of their fellowships, before returning to the United States, Fellows will be required to submit a policy report for publication by the Fellowships Office and to deliver a seminar on their findings to an invited audience and interested members of the public. The length and extent of the policy report will reflect the length of the fellowship, ie a longer, more in-depth report is expected from a Fellow on a seven-month fellowship.
