FAQ 2010
The following information is relevant to applicants for the 2010 Fellowship Program in Melbourne or Sydney.
Eligibility
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program is aimed people who are passionate about making the world more sustainable. They may be university students, young professionals or more established professionals making a career transition. Applicants should either live in or be in commutable distance from Melbourne or Sydney for the period of the program.
We are looking for participants from every profession, sector, community and aspect of society who are committed to leading their community towards a sustainable future.
Age: There is no age limit. Past participants have ranged from 18 to 50 years old. The average age is late twenties, early thirties.
Nationality: There is no nationality requirement. Past participants have come from around the world as well as rural Australia. As there is a requirement to be in Sydney every Wednesday night or Melbourne every Tuesday night we ask that participants are living in Victoria, Australian Capital Territory or New South Wales from April-November 2010.
Education: There is no educational background requirement. While many of our participants have post graduate education such as MBAs and doctorates and include Rhode Scholars and Harvard graduates, we have also had first year university students and people with no university education take part in the program.
Sustainability: There is no sustainability background requirement. While many of our participants had demonstrated their commitment towards sustainability before taking part in the program many others hadn’t yet.
Read profiles of our graduates here.
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program Graduate starts Wipe It Out
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program Graduate creates renewable fuels race
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program Graduates lead urban farming
Commitment
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership Fellowship Program requires a significant time commitment from participants and this should be fully considered when applying for the program. Participants are required to:
• Attend every workshop (3hrs per week, 6-9pm each Wednesday (Sydney) or Tuesday (Melbourne) from April until November;
• Attend three residential retreats and one city based retreat
• Participate in mentorship meetings (for one hour at least once a month for the duration of the course);
• Prepare for the workshops and complete weekly assignments (approximately 2 hours a week);
• Contribute to a group or individual project (at least three hours a week but could include significantly more time based on individual desire);
• Attend a graduation evening at the conclusion of the course;
• Volunteer at least 10 hours in early 2011 to support the Fellowship program
The Fellowship Program requires a large energy commitment from participants who are continually challenged, continually exposed to innovative skills and concepts of leadership, and continually required to contribute as a member of the group
Academic Credit
It is possible for some students to achieve subject credit for this course as a ‘work experience’ or ‘project management’ subject, but it is up to the participant to arrange this through their university. Please contact your university for more information.
Cost
The Fellowship Program is scholarship-based. The cost to the participant is a $3,500 contribution to course costs as well as paying their own travel costs to the retreats.
The full cost of the program is approximately $15,000 per participant, funded by our generous sponsors and in-kind support.
If you cannot afford the $3,500 contribution there are a significant number of full scholarships available. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please outline the reason in your written application (more details below). No worthy applicant will miss out due to genuinely not being able to pay.
There is also the option to pay the $3,500 contribution on an interest free payment plan over six month.
Sydney participants will also need to cover their own transport costs to the Melbourne-based retreat in July. The Country Link train service travels from Sydney to Melbourne.
Scholarships
Scholarships include tuition costs. Fellows still need to pay their own travel costs.
Scholarship holders are required to give monthly updates on their progress through the program to the organisation who has provided their scholarship. This will include at least two speeches and a variety of short reports. If the scholarship holder withdraws from the program at any time, they are liable to repay the $8000 scholarship fee.
More scholarships will become available soon. Organisations offering scholarships to Fellowship Program participants include;
Melbourne (10 scholarships available)
Fosters in the community (1 scholarship)*
Cascade Green (1 scholarship)*
ANZ Charitable Trust (2 scholarships)*
Melbourne Community Foundation (3 scholarships)
George Alexander Foundation (2 scholarships)
Centre for Sustainability Leadership (1 scholarship)
Sydney(10 scholarships available)
Cascade Green (1 scholarship)*
George Alexander Foundation (3 scholarships)
Sydney Catchment Authority (1 scholarship)**
Centre for Sustainability Leadership (5 scholarships)
*These scholarships include at $1000 grant to be spent on the fellow’s project.
**Available to professionals working on water issues.
How to Apply
To apply for a scholarship simply indicate which scholarships you would like to apply for on your application form and outline your reason for needing the scholarship.
Dates and Locations
In 2010 the Fellowship Program will run between April and November. Workshops will be conducted every Tuesday (Melbourne) or Wednesday (Sydney) evening from 6pm to 9pm and will be held in the CBD. Participants must attend every session. There are also three residential retreats and one city based retreat during the year. Residential retreats will be held outside of the CBD and the location is to be confirmed. Fellows are responsible for their own travel to the retreats. Car pooling will be facilitated. Sydney fellows are required to cover the full cost of their travel to the third retreat held near Melbourne. The Country Link train service travels from Sydney to Melbourne.
Applications Dates
Sydney
Applications Open: 22nd October 2009
Information Session: 17th February 2010
Applications Close: 28th February 2010 midnight
Notification of interviews: 8th March
Interviews: 16th, 17th, 18th March
Notification of successful applicants: 19th March
Program Starts: 7th April 2010
Melbourne
Applications Open: 22nd October 2009
Information Session: 16th February 2010
Applications Close: 28th February 2010 midnight
Notification of interviews: 8th March
Interviews: 9th, 10th, 11th March
Notification of successful applicants: 15th March
Program Starts: 6th April 2010
International Applicants
(Applicants currently living overseas applying to either the Melbourne or Sydney programs have the option to take part in an earlier interview round).
Applications Open: 22nd October 2009
Applications Close: 3rd February 2010 midnight Australian EST time
Notification of interviews: 5th February
Interviews: 8th and 9th February by phone
Notification of successful applicants: 10th February
Program Starts: 6th/7th April 2010
Program Dates
Melbourne 2010 Dates
Every Tuesday evening (6pm-9pm) from 6th April until 16th November plus four retreats.
Retreats
9 -11th April: Regional Victoria, Fri 5pm – Sun 6pm
5-6 June: CBD, 9am – 5pm both days
25 -31st July: Regional Victoria, Sun 7pm – Sat 11am
29 -31 October: Regional Victoria, Fri 5pm – Sun 6pm
During the month of August there will be no classes and participants will work on their project independently with their project teams.
Sydney 2010 Dates
Every Wednesday evening (6pm-9pm) from 7th April until 17th November plus four retreats (including one Victorian based retreat).
Retreats
16 -18 April: Regional NSW, Fri 5pm – Sun 6pm
5-6 June: CBD, 9am – 5pm both days
25 -31st July: Regional Victoria, Sun 7pm – Sat 11am + travel to VIC
5-7 November: Regional NSW, Fri 5pm – Sun 6pm
During the month of August there will be no classes and participants will work on their project independently with their project teams.
If you are an international applicant, more FAQs can be found here