A Look Behind the Scenes: Our Process for Selecting the 2025 Cohort
by Prof Elizabeth McKinley ONZM and A/Prof Nikki Moodie
Every year the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) welcomes applications from people dedicated to Indigenous-led social change in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. In total, last year we received 113 applications; 102 from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and 11 were received from Pacific Island countries. We were pleased we had a 30% increase in applications from the previous year.
The application stage
AFSE uses the SmartyGrants platform to receive applications, including resumes and introductory videos. Applications remain open for two months before closing in the first week of August. Late applications unfortunately can’t be accepted.
In 2024 we expanded our program to include international applicants from Pacific Island nations. Two application streams are set up to facilitate this intake: one for applicants from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and one for applicants from Pacific Island nations. This is to accommodate any additional visa processing requirements for the Pacific intake.
The selection process
The selection process takes five months and involves a large team of people. The team is made up of AFSE staff, community representatives, partner organisation representatives, and Senior Fellows. In 2023 the Selection Committee was made up of 12 people, including seven Senior Fellows. The number on this committee is dependent on how many applications we receive. The Committee is supported by a team of five operations, communications and logistics staff based at the AFSE Hub.
Applications are open for two months (June-July), and the selection process lasts three months (August to October).
The Executive Director and Deputy Director are supported by a large Selection Committee in the scoring and shortlisting of candidates. Senior Fellows are also actively engaged as members of the Committee, and others extend their support by conducting interviews with shortlisted applicants while staff contact referees.
Last year, AFSE observed an increase in applicants from the Pacific Island diaspora residing in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand. We also continue to receive a considerable number of Māori applicants located in Australia. We are continually looking for strategies to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates in our application pool.
Our selection process involves seven stages:
Eligibility: Applications are screened for eligibility. Sometimes we receive applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria on our website (for example, applicants do not reside in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand or the Pacific)
Scoring: Applications are then allocated to members of the Selection Committee for scoring. Each application is marked by at least two assessors, against the published selection criteria. We will be announcing the members of the 2025 committee in early June.
Shortlisting: the Selection Committee convenes for two meetings to discuss applicant scores and determine a shortlist of applicants to progress to the interview stage.
Interview 1: shortlisted applicants are invited to interview via Zoom with an AFSE Senior Fellow. Thirteen additional Senior Fellows participated in this interview process in 2023.
Cohort curation: Prof Liz McKinley and A/Prof Nikki Moodie meet to finalise the cohort, with reference to the interview notes provided by Senior Fellows. The Executive and Deputy Director take a range of factors into account when curating the cohort, including sectoral and project diversity or match across the cohort, and seek a diverse representation of other factors such as age, gender and life experiences.
Interview 2: Prof McKinley and A/Prof Moodie meet with applicants on the final shortlist via Zoom for a final interview. This stage does not guarantee a place in the final cohort.
Reference checks: References for each candidate are contacted to assess their suitability for a collaborative fellowship and the level of their employer’s support for their participation (if applicable). Reference checks do not guarantee a place in the final cohort.
For 2025, AFSE is excited to receive applications that strive for Indigenous-led social change in any field, sector or community. We are especially pleased to receive applications that might focus on either (1) Indigenous language and education, or (2) land, water, environment or climate related issues.
Cohorts are created based on balancing many factors such as geographical location and industry sector not just strength of application. Unsuccessful applicants are highly encouraged to apply for future cohorts.
If you have more questions about our selection process please email apply-atlanticfellows@unimelb.edu.au.
If you have more questions about the AFSE program check out our FAQs page.