Fulbright Postdoctoral Award

Fulbright Future Postdoctoral Scholarship (funded by The Kinghorn Foundation)

Australia

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25223-AU
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.

Number of recipients

Approximately
5
Award Start Period
January 2026 - February 2026
Award Length
3 months, or 4 months, or 5 months, or 6 months, or 7 months, or 8 months, or 9 months, or 10 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Agriculture
Astronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Geology
Information Sciences/Systems
Materials Science
Medical Sciences
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Physics
Statistics
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission is pleased to offer the Fulbright Future Scholarships. Thanks to generous support from The Kinghorn Foundation, the Fulbright Future Scholarships support projects that seek to advance cutting-edge applied science, kick start innovative business collaborations that foster the creation of new jobs, or further the development of impact-driven emergent technologies. This unique opportunity provides significant funding for projects that seek to have a positive impact on the health, prosperity, and livelihoods of Americans and Australians through programs of collaborative research and development.

Applicants must adhere to additional Project Statement requirements outlined in the “Additional Comments” section under Award Requirements.

Locations
Location Selection: Applicant may propose an appropriate host
Locations Detail

Any appropriate institution, including universities, research centers, think-tanks, government bodies, relevant professional and non-profit institutions, or other institutions of research and/or higher education.

Award Length and Period

Grants must start in January/February 2026 in line with the Australian academic year and to attend the Orientation Program and Gala Presentation Dinner in February.

Areas of Interest
  • Health Sciences excluding Psychiatry, Dentistry, General Practice, Nutrition, Psychology, and Fitness
  • Natural Sciences
    • Earth Science
    • Life Science
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
  • Formal Sciences
    • Computer Science
    • Statistics, including Artificial Intelligence, Biostatistics, and Statistical Modelling
    • Systems Science
  • Professions and Applied Sciences
    • Agriculture excluding Animal Husbandry, Beekeeping, Agrology, Entomology, Enology
    • Engineering
    • Mining
Special Features

Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program

As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising, or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

All applicants are required to include a letter of invitation from their proposed institution with their application.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

Open to applicants whose Ph.D. conferral date is January 2021 or later; those with more recently conferred degrees preferred. Applicants must attain their doctorate by the proposed start date of their grant.

Following the peer review process, short-listed applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a Fulbright Selection Committee in Australia.

Additional Comments

Impact Statement: To qualify for the Fulbright Future Scholarships program, applicants must include within their project statement an impact statement identified with its own header.

The impact statement must outline the potential impact of their proposed program on the health, prosperity and livelihoods of Australians and Americans. ‘Impact’ may be defined as:

  • Significant advancement of new technologies, techniques, or other novel research with potential for practical outcomes
  • Creation of enduring bilateral commercial or research partnerships with potential for significant growth
  • Novel approaches to medical treatment or rehabilitation
  • Potential for job-creation
  • Tangible effect, benefit, or outcome for Australian and American society
Award Allowances

AUD$3,850 (approximately USD$2540) per month for a maximum of 10 months.

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Round-trip, economy class airfare directly to and from the scholar's home city and the city of the host institution capped at AUD$4,000 (approximately USD$2,600).

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

Scholars accompanied by eligible dependents for at least 80% of program duration may receive one, one-time dependent allowance of up to AUD$5,000 (approximately USD$3,300).

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

Special Award Benefits

Travel and accommodation for Scholars to the Orientation Program and Gala Presentation Dinner held annually.

Access to Fulbright Alumni in Australia prior to arrival to assist in preparation for the visit and while in Australia for social and professional networks.

Access to Australia’s National Health Care Cover Scheme (Medicare) is a benefit for U.S. Fulbrighters in Australia. Please note: Medicare enrolment can be subject to administrative delays. We therefore recommend that Medicare be considered only as supplemental coverage alongside your Fulbright-provided ASPE limited health benefits and your own comprehensive travel insurance and/or personal U.S. medical insurance.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Australia

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

Australia has a long and proud tradition of world-class research and development. Across all global ranking systems, criteria, and fields of study, Australia scores highly for its quality of education, student satisfaction and global reputation. In addition to working with some of the world's best and leading institutions, you'll have the opportunity to experience Australia's many natural wonders and picturesque landscapes.

All programs in Australia begin in late January/early February 2026 in line with the Australian academic year and Fulbright orientation activities. 

Applicants may contact the Scholarships Team at the Fulbright Commission in Australia via email with any questions.

Previous Fulbright Recipients

Current U.S. Scholars profiles can be viewed here, and U.S. Scholar alumni profiles can be viewed here.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.