AGECS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

AGECS supports the early childhood profession by providing funding grants for professional learning opportunities. This program is designed to further understanding and knowledge of child development and learning so that all children have access to high standards of care and education in early childhood settings.

Fellowship Guidelines

The aim of the AGECS Fellowship Program for Leadership and Change is to provide financial support via grants of up to $10,000 for individual early childhood professionals (who are members of AGECS and working in the state of Victoria) to undertake a project for a period of 6 – 12 months that will impact on the quality of services for children aged birth to 5 years. As this grant is intended to support individual professional development, all awarded funds must be deposited directly into a personal bank account and cannot be directed to an employer’s account.

Fellowship recipients are expected to demonstrate improved access to and achievement of equity and excellence in early childhood. Applicants will need to communicate their interest in making a difference in early childhood education leading to change. It is expected that such professional learning from the project will position the recipient as a leader who is able to share their learning. It is hoped that the Fellowship will lead to improved outcomes for all children, which could include those children and families experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Upon completetion of the Fellowship project, applicants are supported to produce an article and presentation to share their learnings with the early childhood community.

If you would like to know more about the application writing process, watch the application writing seminar here.

Eligibility

You must be a member of the Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies (AGECS) to apply. If you are not already a member, apply now.

You must be employed and/or working in the state of Victoria to apply. This does not mean your project must take place within the state of Victoria.  

Applications

The AGECS Fellowship Advisory Committee will consider applications that demonstrate the potential to enact leadership and change in the early childhood field. This could be in relation to:

  • Building quality programs within the early childhood field;
  • Strengthening already existing programs or practices;
  • Positive outcomes for children;
  • Increasing professional knowledge;
  • Leading new directions in programs or practices; and
  • Expanding perspectives through investigating best practice nationally or internationally.
How to apply

There are two elements to applying for the Fellowship Program for Leadership and Change:

  • the online application form
  • the budget template

Click here to fill in the application form on Microsoft Forms.

Click here to download the project budget template. Fill in the template with your project’s budget, save the Word doc as a PDF and upload it at the end of your application form. If you have any concerns regarding this, please contact engagement@agecs.org.au.

Click here to download the ECA Code of Ethics.

Submission Dates

  •  The final submission date for the first round of applications is March 15th 2024.
  • The final submission date for the second round of applications is August 16th 2024.