Frequently asked questions
How to apply
Who can apply for a Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship?
Applications are open to Queensland organisations that employ teachers (Department of Education or non-state schools).
The applicant organisation (the school) nominates the teacher for the fellowship. The teacher must be a registered and practising Queensland teacher. The nominated teacher 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 (outlined in the Guidelines). Registered teachers from all grade levels (Prep–Year 12) can be considered for a fellowship.
What is the closing date for applications?
Applications for the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship close at 2pm AEST, Monday 12 June 2023.
How to apply for a Queensland–Cooper Fellowship?
Applications must be submitted online using the 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 declaration. The declaration must be signed by the nominated Fellow and an authorised representative from the applicant organisation.
Should the nominated Fellow’s curriculum vitaé (CV) or resumé be submitted with the application form?
No. The nominated Fellow’s CV/resumé is not required, as all of the necessary information is provided in the application form.
Can the application be revised after submission?
No. However applicant organisations must advise the department of any changes that are likely to affect eligibility.
Available funding
How much funding is available per fellowship?
Queensland Government funding of up to $20,000 (excluding GST) is available for one international trip for each Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship. Fellows can travel for 8–12 weeks, and the duration of the travel determines the funding entitlement. Applicant organisations do not have to apply for the maximum funding.
How many fellowships will be awarded?
One Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship will be awarded in this funding round.
How is the fellowship funding paid?
The fellowship funding is paid to the applicant organisation, that is, the Department of Education (state schools) or school body (private schools) that employs the Fellow.
What are the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt payment instalments?
There are two payment instalments (excluding GST):
- Payment 1: the total approved funding less $2,000.
- Payment 2: $2,000 if applicable.
Does the fellowship cover the Fellow’s salary?
No. The Fellow’s salary must be paid by the applicant organisation.
What can the fellowship funding be used for?
Travel costs of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) to support one return international economy airfare and associated travel costs. This includes domestic travel costs to secure visas, and internal flights while in the USA (if applicable). The applicant organisation will be required to supply a financial acquittal statement for the travel component of the fellowship, and will have to return any unused funds.
Living allowance of $1,250 per week (excluding GST) to cover the costs of living expenses including accommodation, meals and incidental costs. Funding is available for a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks duration ($15,000 maximum) for one international trip.
The living allowance funding does not have to be acquitted. However, the Fellow will have a reduced entitlement to living allowance if they spend less than the approved travel time in the USA. For example, if a Fellow is approved for 11 weeks travel but only travels for 10 weeks, the original travel entitlement will be reduced by one week accordingly and $1,250 would have to be returned to the department or withheld from the final fellowship payment.
Is additional Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship funding available if the travel costs or living costs rise?
No additional Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship funding is available per award. Any additional costs incurred must be borne by the Fellow and/or the applicant organisation.
Is the Fellow entitled to additional funding if the standard travel allowances in the applicant organisation exceed that of the fellowship award?
The Fellow must negotiate any additional funding with the applicant organisation, if applicable.
Other conditions
What is a Financial Incentive Agreement?
The Financial Incentive Agreement (FIA) is the legally binding document that outlines the conditions of the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship, including the payment schedule and the reporting requirements. The FIA is comprised of the Cooper Hewitt Fellowship application, the Cooper Hewitt Fellowship Financial Incentive Agreement Terms and Conditions and the Cooper Hewitt Fellowship Guidelines.
The applicant organisation signs the FIA prior to submitting a signed declaration page with the application form, but the FIA is not finalised until the Queensland Government authorised officer signs a separate FIA execution page.
Applicant organisations must ensure that they read, understand, and accept the Terms and Conditions prior to commencing an application for funding.
Who signs the declaration page?
The Financial Incentive Agreement Terms and Conditions declaration page must be signed by the nominated Fellow and the authorised representative from the applicant organisation. The submission processes for state and non-state schools is:
Non-State school applicant organisations
- Print the declaration page.
- The nominated Fellow signs the top section of the declaration page; scans the signed page (PDF) and emails it to the officer in the applicant organisation who is authorised to sign the declaration.
- The authorised officer in the applicant organisation signs the appropriate section of the declaration page; scans the fully signed page (PDF) and returns it to the nominated Fellow.
Note: there is provision for authorised officers from both state and non-state applicant organisations to sign—please strike through the section that does not apply. - The nominated Fellow uploads the scanned copy of the fully signed declaration page with the online application form.
State school applicant organisations
- Print the declaration page.
- The nominated Fellow signs the top section of the declaration page; scans the signed page (PDF) and emails it to the Department of Education for their delegate to sign. The scanned, signed page should be emailed to scholarships@qed.qld.gov.au where it will be signed by the delegated Department of Education officer.
- The authorised Department of Education delegate signs the appropriate section of the declaration page; scans the fully signed page (PDF) and returns it to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. The nominated Fellow does NOT upload the declaration page with the online application form.
Fellows from state schools
How do state school teachers find out about internal processes associated with the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship?
State school teachers can email scholarships@qed.qld.gov.au to ask about Department of Education processes for managing the fellowship, and to secure approval to travel overseas on the fellowship.
Further information
Further information about the Queensland–Cooper Hewitt Fellowship Program and relevant documents are available on the Queensland Science website.
For other queries, email the science grants team at science.grants@des.qld.gov.au
For technical questions about the online application process or form, please contact SmartyGrants.
Email: service@smartygrants.com.au
Phone: (03) 9320 6888 and quote your reference number.