Fulbright Announces Two New Scholarships with The University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle (UON) has become the first Australian institution to sponsor a prestigious U.S. Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship under a new partnership, officiated by U.S. Consul General Hugo Llorens on Thursday, 3 December 2015.

Aimed at strengthening research impact and reach, the partnership will produce two new scholarships for the Fulbright Program.

A Fulbright Distinguished Chair will enable an exceptional U.S. senior scholar to undertake research of shared importance to Australia and the U.S. at UON for up to six months.

The Inaugural Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship is aimed at researchers who have recently completed a PhD, enabling a U.S. scholar in any field of study to undertake up to ten months of postdoctoral research at UON.

US Consul General for New South Wales, Queensland and ACT Mr Hugo Llorens expressed his optimism for the future of the Fulbright partnership with the University of Newcastle.

“The Fulbright Program is the United States’ flagship exchange program and is the most widely recognized and prestigious international education exchange program in the world. I know this new partnership with Newcastle University will only add to the success of the Fulbright program.”

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said she was delighted to partner with one of the most respected international research exchange programs in the world.

“It is a great honour to be selected to partner with the Fulbright scholarship program and it is a strong reflection of UON’s world-class research outcomes and our commitment to growing an outstanding research- intensive university in regional Australia,” said Professor McMillen.

Executive Director of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, Dr Tangerine Holt, said the Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship was an area of great interest and future development to the Commission.

“This is a great milestone for the Commission, as it is the first time an Australian institution has sponsored a U.S. Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship.”

“The University of Newcastle is in the top 300 of institutions worldwide, and one of Australia’s leading universities for research output. We are very pleased to be able to partner with them on these two exciting initiatives and contribute to the growth of their international network,” Dr Holt said

As part of the Fulbright Distinguished Chair scholarship, UON will also facilitate a national lecture series in which the selected candidate will travel on the Fulbright Roadshow and present on topics in their field of expertise.

Fulbright Executive Director, Dr Tangerine Holt and University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Caroline McMillen sign the new Fulbright/University of Newcastle Scholarship Agreement, witnessed by US Consul General Mr Hugo Llorens and University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Hodgson