About the Global Voices Policy Fellowship

The Global Voices Fellowship Program consists of three elements:

• Canberra pre-departure briefings
• Completion of a policy proposal
• Participation in an international conference.

The Program provides participants with dedicated policy-writing workshops, media engagement training, institutional visits, greater cross-cultural awareness, and significant professional networking opportunities. Global Voices offers unparalleled access to high-level diplomatic events for young Australians interested in international policy, intersections between high-level strategic issues, and diplomacy.

Pre-departure briefings

The Pre-Departure briefings are an opportunity for Fellows to gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s role in multilateral fora and priorities for domestic policymaking. The briefings provide Fellows with private meetings with senior government leaders, subject matter and policy experts, esteemed academics, Members of the Australian Parliament, and leaders of civil society and private organisations.

Further, Fellows participate in policy-writing workshops, media engagement training, networking skill-building, and other professional development opportunities. Fellows also meet with their Delegations Manager and are encouraged to set goals and take time to reflect.

The Global Voices Executive Team coordinate all necessary arrangements and provide ongoing mentoring to Fellows to help them get the most out of their time in Canberra.

Policy proposal

Across the course of the Global Voices program, Fellows will develop a 2,500-word policy proposal which proposes practical recommendations on a topic related to the delegation agenda. With the assistance of the Global Voices Delegations Managers, Fellows will conduct their own research into their chosen subject matter, use their first-hand delegation experience to develop their ideas further, and polish off their paper on their return home. Papers that meet the GV Journal standard are then published in our Global Voices Journal and shared with key policy stakeholders and networks so that our Fellows’ work can be celebrated by the broader community.

International Conference

This is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience spanning roughly one week, tailored specifically to the needs and interests of each delegation group. On delegation, Fellows attend briefing sessions and other related activities run by the official forum hosts. Further, through Global Voice’s extensive network of international connections you’ll also be invited to attend side events and private meetings with subject matter experts and influential world leaders.

On delegation, Fellows will also have some spare time to enjoy the city they are visiting, and most evenings Fellows will enjoy dinner out at a local restaurant and explore their surroundings.

If you are successful in receiving a Global Voices Policy Fellowship as an AgriFutures-sponsored participant, you will receive:

• Support to write and publish a policy proposal that contributes a fresh perspective to domestic and global decision-making
• All-expenses-paid travel to Canberra for a 3-day departure briefing and upskilling program
• All-expenses-paid travel to the event, including visas, comprehensive travel insurance, ground transportation, conference registration and accreditation fees, daily breakfasts and select dinners and incidental costs.

Learn more about Global Voices Policy Fellowships

Eligibility and Essential Requirements

Eligibility

To be eligible for an AgriFutures-sponsored position in the program, you must have participated in at least one of the following programs:

• evoke^AG. Groundbreakers (formerly known as Future Young Leaders) program,
• AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program or,
• the Country to Canberra program.

You must also meet all of Global Voices’ eligibility requirements outlined below:

• Be aged 18 – 30 for the full duration of the program
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in Australia for the full duration of the program
• Be available for compulsory in-person pre-departure training in Canberra (dates will be listed in the application form)
• Be available and able to travel for the full duration of the international delegation you are applying for
• Have the ability to commit at least 5 hours per week to the Fellowship program
• Currently hold or can obtain a passport well before your delegation’s travel dates
• Currently hold or can obtain a passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your delegation’s travel.

Essential Information

You do not need experience in policy or policy writing to apply.

Application Information

Before you apply

The course fees are fully sponsored by AgriFutures Australia. Eligible AgriFutures stakeholders (outlined above) are encouraged to apply with applications to be assessed and selected by AgriFutures Capacity Building staff.  Applicants are required to respond to a number of selection criteria and provide evidence of their engagement in their specified category.

The application process generally requires you to submit:

• A 500-word policy proposal* addressing a key Australian policy issue^ related to the international conference you will be attending
• A 500-word personal statement
• A description of your education and work history
• Short answer questions on how you manage teamwork, conflict, time, etc.

*While no prior experience is required, Global Voices suggests you research and prepare your proposal/responses to the application questions in advance. If successful, your proposal will become the basis of your final policy paper and help to familiarise you with the core themes of your international conference.

^Your policy proposal must relate to Australian policy, not another country or international body. 

How to apply

Applications for 2026 are currently closed. Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.

Contact

Enquiries about AgriFutures-supported positions

For questions about eligibility, funding support, or the AgriFutures application process, please contact:

Sarah Hope
Manager, Capacity Building

Emily Jones
Coordinator, Capacity Building

Information about the Policy Fellowship

For program details, structure, and delivery of the program, visit Global Voices’ website:

Visit Global Voices’ website