The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Programme 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- May 29
- 3 min read
If you're a mid-career changemaker passionate about Indigenous-led social transformation, the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) 2026 Fellowship offers a unique, fully funded opportunity to deepen your leadership and drive systemic change. Applications are now open and will close at 11:59 pm (AEST) on Monday, July 28, 2025.
🗒️AFSE Fellowship Summary
Location: Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations
Host Institutions: University of Melbourne (primary), Waipapa Taumata Rau – University of Auckland (partner)
Study Level: Master’s degree (Foundation Year) + Lifelong Fellowship
Target Group: Indigenous peoples and allies with proven experience collaborating with Indigenous communities
Fields of Focus: Social equity, Indigenous leadership, community development, policy, health, education, climate justice, and more
Value and Coverage: Fully funded tuition, travel, accommodation, stipends, and up to AUD $30,000 post-graduation project funding
Award Duration: 1-year Foundation Year (2026) + lifelong fellowship support
Application Deadline: July 28, 2025
Start Date: January 2026
Eligible To: Citizens or permanent residents of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or eligible Pacific Island nations
🎓 Fellowship Overview
The AFSE Fellowship is a transformative program that centers Indigenous knowledge systems and leadership to foster social equity. It comprises two main phases:
Foundation Year (2026)
Fellows undertake a fee-free Master of Social Change Leadership at the University of Melbourne, integrating academic learning with real-world application. The curriculum includes six modules, each featuring a week-long in-person component:
Enacting Influence – Exploring policy and political contexts of social change initiatives.
Disruption and Change – Understanding and leading transformative processes.
Collaborative Fieldwork – Engaging with communities to co-create solutions.
Indigenous Leadership – Delving into Indigenous leadership models and practices.
Powerful Encounters – Navigating complex social dynamics and power structures.
Indigenous Social Change Project – Developing and planning a personal social change initiative.
These modules are designed to minimize disruption to personal and professional commitments, requiring only 6 to 7 weeks away throughout the year. Sessions are held primarily in Naarm (Melbourne), with select experiences in Indigenous communities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Lifelong Fellowship (2027 and Beyond)
After completing the Foundation Year, Fellows become part of the global Atlantic Fellows network, gaining access to:
Up to AUD $30,000 to implement their Indigenous-informed social change initiative.
Gatherings facilitated by the Atlantic Institute in Oxford, connecting with over 1,000 changemakers from more than 80 countries.
Ongoing mentoring, events, and promotion of their work.
Continued learning opportunities and collaborations across sectors and borders.
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Foundation Year (2026)
Tuition-free Master’s program at the University of Melbourne.
All travel, accommodation, cultural activities, and program event expenses covered.
Generous stipends to support everyday expenses.
Personal academic support, including one-on-one tutoring and group study sessions.
Access to Indigenous psychologists and mental health services.
Disability support to ensure equal access.
Full access to University of Melbourne student support services.
Lifelong Fellowship (2027 and Beyond)
Up to AUD $30,000 for implementing the social change initiative and professional development.
Lifelong membership in the Global Atlantic Fellow network.
Continued engagement with AFSE through mentoring, events, and promotion.
Access to ongoing learning opportunities and collaborations.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be Indigenous peoples or allies with proven experience collaborating with Indigenous communities.
Be citizens or permanent residents of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, or eligible Pacific Island nations.
Have an undergraduate degree or 5–8 years of social change work experience (typically mid-career professionals aged 25–65).
Not be enrolled in other educational programs or have a thesis under examination as of January 2026.
Not currently participating in any Atlantic Fellowship programs.
Be proficient in English.
Have a valid passport (or the ability to obtain one).
Be available to travel for seven weeks throughout the year, including various locations across Australia and New Zealand.
Pacific Island passport holders require an Australian student visa.
📝 Application Procedure
To apply:
Visit the AFSE application portal.
Complete the online application form, which includes:
Personal and contact information.
Educational and professional background.
A detailed description of your social change initiative.
Responses to essay questions reflecting on your leadership experience and commitment to Indigenous-led change.
Submit the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume.
Academic transcripts (if applicable).
Two letters of recommendation.
Proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
Evidence of English language proficiency (if required).
Application Deadline: July 28, 2025, at 11:59 pm (AEST)
Notification of Results: By Monday, November 17, 2025
Program Start Date: January 2026
ℹ️ Additional Information
The AFSE program is particularly interested in applications focusing on Indigenous language and education, as well as land, water, environment, or climate-related issues. Each year, around 20 Fellows are selected from Australia, Aotearoa, and Pacific Island nations to join this prestigious program.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
