Applications are open for the 2012 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship in International Security at the Lowy Institute, Sydney, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC.  This is an exceptional opportunity for an Australian official, officer, student or recent graduate to play a part in the work of two leading think tanks dedicated to generating policy ideas on global strategic affairs.  Applications close 10 August 2012.

The Thawley scholarship involves a $5,000 award and a two-stage research internship, based first in Sydney and then in Washington DC. In addition to the award, full travel and living costs are provided for the Washington placement. Domestic travel and partial living costs for the Sydney placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The program involves the successful candidate’s spending an initial period based at the Lowy Institute, in Sydney, followed by a placement of 8-12 weeks with CSIS in Washington DC. This would provide direct exposure to both organisations’ work at the intersection of research and policy in international affairs, access to their research networks, and involvement in their policy work.

The timing and length of the internship is flexible (within the broad timeframe of September 2012 to the first half of 2013) and would be negotiated with the successful candidate.

There is no specific professional profile for the preferred applicant, but a competitive candidate will typically be either a promising junior to mid-career Australian Government official or Australian Defence Force officer, an exceptional postgraduate student, or a recent graduate with wider experience and demonstrated interests in international policy. The scholarship is open to Australian nationals only.

The program includes the successful applicant’s direct involvement in research and policy projects at both the Lowy Institute and CSIS, as well as the opportunity to prepare one or more short research items to be considered for publication, whether sole-authored or co-authored.

Potential topics for research under the scholarship may vary from year to year, but there will typically be a strong emphasis on understanding the global dimensions of Australia’s strategic interests and role. The CSIS placement in particular offers a rare chance to gain direct insight into US debates on global strategic challenges and policy responses, and then to apply that knowledge professionally upon return to Australia.

Applications should include a short piece of original written working setting out some policy-related thinking on an issue relating to Australia’s global strategic interests and role, or an aspect thereof. This ‘policy brief’ should be no more than 800 words in length, and can contain analysis, recommendations or both. The quality, readability and policy-oriented style and content of this piece of writing will be an important consideration in the selection of the successful applicant.  In selecting a topic, applicants should pay special attention to the way in which it is, and can be shown to be, global rather than solely regional in nature.  The successful applicant will have the opportunity to submit a more developed version of this brief for publication.

Applicants should also provide:

• a covering letter explaining how the scholarship would benefit their career development

• the names and contact details of two professional and/or academic referees

• a summary CV, including professional and/or academic career highlights

• an academic record if the applicant is a student or recent graduate (within the past two years)

• personal contact details, including telephone and email.

Applications should be sent to: Rory Medcalf at rmedcalf@lowyinstitute.org

or

Rory Medcalf

Program Director for International Security

The Lowy Institute for International Policy

PO Box H-159 Australia Square NSW 1215

The deadline for receiving applications is 5pm on 10 August 2012.