Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPSP) 2024-2027

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) continues its international engagement through the AFIPS Program, supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as part of the Australia-France Roadmap.

Objectives of the AFIPS Program 2024-2027:

Foster a shared understanding of key challenges in the Pacific region, particularly those related to climate change.
Encourage high-level strategic research in the Indo-Pacific.
Establish new and lasting connections between researchers, policymakers, and institutions in France, Australia, and the Indo-Pacific.
Strengthen strategic cooperation between Australia and France in the Indo-Pacific.

Program Components:

Visiting Fellowship Program – Early-Career Researchers (OPEN NOW for 2025)
Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants (available Q4 2025 for 2026)
Pacific Social Sciences Research Grants (available Q4 2025 for 2026)
Strategic Dialogues 1.5 and 2.0 (held annually in partnership with the National Security College, ANU)

Visiting Fellowship Program – Early-Career Researchers

This program aims to support early-career researchers in the social sciences residing in mainland France, French overseas territories, or the Indo-Pacific region, as well as nationals from these areas.

Under this initiative, ASSA will facilitate research stays of up to three months at Australian institutions (universities, think tanks, research centres).

Each early-career researcher will receive funding of up to AUD 18,900 (approximately EUR 11,316), covering:

Travel expenses;
A living allowance in Australia;
Costs associated with participation in conferences, workshops, seminars, or fieldwork.

This program is designed to enhance research capacity and encourage scientific collaborations on key Indo-Pacific issues.

The Visiting Fellowship Program will be available in 2024/25, 2025/26, and 2026/27, supporting 5 to 6 Fellows per year.

How to Apply – 2025 Intake

The detailed guidelines for the 2025 Visiting Fellowship Program are available on the ASSA website.

Required Documents:

A detailed and up-to-date CV of the applicant;
A letter of support from the Australian host institution (completed and signed);
A letter of support from the applicant’s home institution (completed and signed).

Applications for 2025 must be submitted by 30 June 2025, at 11:59 PM (Canberra time, Australia) via the online application form available on the ASSA website.