About the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship Program

The Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship program supports registered Queensland school teachers to visit the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City to undertake a research project, and for an immersive learning experience from world leaders in design education.

The aim is for Fellows to benefit from this unique experience, and on returning to Queensland, to share new design teaching practice knowledge and skills with their peers and community.

Fellowship applications addressing the following target investment areas are sought:

  • the development of high-quality teaching skills
  • building a teaching culture that meets global challenges, such as design for sustainability
  • improved capacity to deliver design education
  • growing the public value of design.

Applications are open to Queensland organisations that employ teachers (Department of Education or non-state schools).

Available funding

Funding of up to $20,000 (excluding GST) is available to the successful Fellow to travel to the United States of America (USA) for a stay of 8–12 weeks in duration. Funds are to be used for travel and a weekly living allowance.

Important dates

Applications close 2pm, Monday 12 June 2023.

An announcement about the successful Fellow will be made in mid-2023.

The Fellowship travel period will be between September and November 2023, to coincide with the USA’s 2023 National Design Week and National Design Awards program run by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Who can apply

Applications are open to Queensland organisations that employ teachers. The applicant organisation nominates a Fellow, who must be a registered and practising teacher

The nominated Fellow must work in an area of mutual interest with the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum that is aligned to one or more target investment areas identified in the guidelines.

Eligible organisations include:

  • the Department of Education for state school teachers
  • private school organisations for private school teachers.

To be eligible the nominated Fellow must:

  • be an Australian citizen, or have Australian residency
  • reside and work in Queensland
  • be a currently registered and practising school teacher in Queensland. Registered teachers from all grade levels (Prep–Year 12) can be considered for a fellowship.

Nominated fellows from non-state school applicant organisations must confirm that their Queensland employer will continue to pay their salary while they are undertaking the fellowship.

Guidelines and conditions

Information on eligibility criteria, how applications will be assessed, and how to apply for a fellowship are available in the program guidelines.

How to apply

Applications must be made online using SmartyGrants website.

Applicant organisations must:

  • complete an online application form:
  • submit a signed, scanned PDF letter of endorsement that confirms the nominated Fellow is a currently registered and practising teacher in Queensland, and supports the proposed fellowship
  • submit a signed, scanned PDF Financial Incentive Agreement terms and conditions declaration. The declaration must be signed by the nominated Fellow and an authorised representative from the applicant organisation.

Key resources

Further information

Email: science.grants@des.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3170 5758