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2026 Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship
Lowy Institute
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Passionate about international security and ready to contribute to the work of the Lowy Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies?
Why us?
The opportunity:
Why you might love this opp:
The Michael and Deborah Thawley Scholarship offers an Australian official, officer, student, or recent graduate an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the work of two leading think tanks, the Lowy Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The scholarship provides direct exposure to the work of both organisations, at the intersection of research and policy in international affairs. The Thawley Scholar will work for a short period in the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, and spend 8–12 weeks in Washington DC at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Research to be carried out by the Thawley Scholar is flexible but is expected to place a strong emphasis on the regional and geopolitical dimensions of Australia’s strategic interests. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage Australian thinkers who can examine the world from the perspective of a superpower, and thereby understand Australia’s place in the global system.
The CSIS placement offers a rare chance to gain direct insight into US debates on global strategic challenges and policy responses, including opportunities to interact with the Washington foreign policy establishment and to meet with high-level policymakers and commentators, and then to apply that knowledge professionally upon return to Australia.
The successful applicant will receive a A$10,000 award as well as a two-stage research placement in Sydney and Washington DC. In addition to the award, flights and a travel allowance are provided for the Washington placement. Domestic travel for the Sydney placement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The timing and length of the placement is flexible within the 2026 calendar year, and a start date will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Key criteria:
Applications should consist of a short cover letter that includes a one-paragraph research agenda, a CV, and an 800-word draft article that might be suitable for publication in the Lowy Institute’s digital magazine, The Interpreter (applicants may submit previously published articles).
Please submit your application to the Director of the International Security Program, Sam Roggeveen (sroggeveen@lowyinstitute.org). Applications close at COB on 2 April 2026.
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, or an exceptional Australian postgraduate student with wider experience and demonstrated interests in international security. Please note, this scholarship is only open to Australian citizens and holders of permanent residency.
A list of past Thawley scholars can be found here.
How to apply:
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