Canberrans with clever ideas will have the chance to share their expertise in the United States from 2017, after the ACT government announced funding for a new Fulbright Scholarship.
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The scholarship is an ACT-exclusive extension of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission program, which has seen some 5000 scholars from the two countries share ideas, experience and culture over the last 66 years.
While the scholarship is open to postgraduate, postdoctoral or professional applicants, the newly funded program will mainly focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the motivation behind funding the scholarship was for ACT recipients to put their newfound expertise to use upon returning to the capital, or for American recipients to benefit Canberra with their knowledge or expertise.
Announcing the founding of the scholarship in Washington on Monday morning (AEDT), Mr Barr said the details of the scholarship would be worked out with the Fulbright Commission in the coming weeks.
Funding has been secured for three years, with the first scholar to begin their studies in 2017.
The commission's executive director, Tangerine Holt said the partnership gave the territory and United States a "welcome opportunity".
"The Australian-American Fulbright Commission and Board of Directors welcomes this partnership as a strategic opportunity to build long-lasting relationships between the ACT and American people through a shared focus on innovation and entrepreneurship exchange," Dr Holt said.
Applications for the first scholarship will open in May 2016, with the recipient to be announced later that year.
