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About the APDC | APDC Staff | Contact the APDC | Education | Events | Fellowships | Futures | History | Publications | What's New? | Links | Site map |
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Chief of Air Force (CAF) FellowshipsThe Air Power Development Centre, formerly the Air Power Studies Centre (APSC), was formed in 1989 as a centre of expertise of Australian air power. The Chief of Air Force (CAF) Fellowship Program was established in 1990 in order to develop awareness and foster greater understanding of Australian air power. Initially, the fellowships were awarded to officers only, but in 1996 the program was extended to include airmen and airwomen. The Air Power Development Centre also sponsors research and study fellowships for representatives from regional air forces and those of our major allies. Objectives of the CAF FellowshipThe CAF Fellowship program provides the opportunity to spend 12 months preparing a substantial work on a significant aspect of Australian air power. For some applicants, the Fellowship year also provides an opportunity to achieve a postgraduate qualification from the University of New South Wales. While nominations are open to all personnel, preference will be given to those personnel whose qualifications, experience and reported performance demonstrate they are able to complete the necessary research, analysis and writing, and to work in demanding staff appointments. Fellowships are offered to Australian personnel and a number of overseas applicants. Australian Fellows are posted to the Air Power Development Centre (APDC) for one year. Officers from some of the regional air forces will also be posted to the APDC for up to a year. Prospective RAAF Fellows must propose a suitable topic for their research before they commence the Fellowship, and must have a sponsor for their work. Sponsors are the primary stakeholders in the Fellowships. They endorse the topics to be undertaken by Fellows and, in some cases, will identify specific air power issues that require study. The aim of the Fellowship program is for successful fellows to have an agreed follow-on posting, usually in the sponsor's organisation, where they can implement their research findings. Commanders who have an issue requiring study and follow-on implementation, and who are prepared to sponsor staff or other interested member for the Fellowship and follow-on posting, are invited to direct inquiries to the Air Power Development Centre. There have been Fellows at the APDC and its predecessor, the Air Power Studies Centre, for almost a decade. Initially, the Fellows received little recognition for their valuable work and they did not receive any formal education on air and space power. The current Fellowship program addresses both these shortcomings. On arrival at the Centre, Fellows complete a four-week, 12-seminar series on air power as an introduction to the Fellowship proper. The seminar series, 'From Kittyhawk to Kandahar', is conducted under the supervision of Dr Chris Clark, a noted air historian. Fellows are expected to be active participants in the entire series, and will write and present papers during the seminars. To ensure that the maximum value is obtained from this series, the APDC facilitates Fellows gaining excellent access to the necessary resources and helpful staff. At the end of the seminar series, Fellows must pass a written examination before continuing their Fellowship year. During the Fellowship year, all Fellows are required to complete a substantial research paper. Additionally, the Fellows will have to present their work at regular intervals to their sponsor and to the staff at the APDC. All Fellows will have a member of the APDC staff appointed as a supervisor for the year. Supervisors conduct regular reviews of Fellows' progress, and act as mentors where required. The completed Fellowship papers will be examined by staff at the Centre and appropriate subject matter experts to ensure they are suitable to be published for worldwide distribution. For some Fellows, preparation of the Fellowship paper will be their sole focus for the year. Others may elect to enrol in the Defence Studies Program at the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy. This study is undertaken as an independent activity to the preparation of the Fellowship paper. For this stream, there will be an academic supervisor and a supervisor from the APDC. Successful graduates will be awarded a graduate diploma by UNSW. They may upgrade this later with further work to a master's degree. Suitably qualified Fellows can enrol in the Master's program, where their Fellowship paper, in conjunction with substantial academic work during the year, leads to the awarding of a Master of Arts (Research). The Fellowship program provides an opportunity for members to develop their research and analytical skills to a high degree, produce a complex written argument, and defend their findings in front of a critical audience. Fellows will complete a research project that is important to the Service and they will usually have to implement their findings after the fellowship. Fellows will also develop a deeper knowledge of air and space power. Fellows from overseas who undertake the six-month program will complete the air power seminar series, including writing and delivering papers, and complete a shorter Fellowship paper. During this period, these Fellows can also elect to undertake study at the University of New South Wales leading to the award of a graduate certificate by UNSW. They may complete further work at a later date to upgrade this to a graduate diploma. The Fellowship program may appear demanding. This is deliberate and realistic for our expectations, and history shows that the standards we require are well within the capabilities of RAAF and overseas personnel. The APDC aims to make a difference at the strategic level and develop thoughtful personnel with a deep knowledge of air power. We have deliberately asked UNSW - which is among the top universities in Australia - to participate in the academic opportunities offered by the Fellowships, to ensure that the standards will be constant and high. Applications will close in June each year, and will be publicised by DEFGRAM and message. Personnel contemplating applying for a CAF Fellowship, should consider the following key points:
The CAF Fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals to achieve an outcome that is valuable to the Service as well as ensuring that the RAAF maintains a core of members well-versed in air power and capable of advancing its application. Fellowships will be demanding, but enjoyable, and will be an important point in your career. Applying for FellowshipsApplicants require an appropriate and substantial research project for their Fellowships, and a sponsor who:
The Fellowship program stresses air power. Successful applicants will be expected to complete a reading list, 'An Introduction to Air Power', before their arrival at the APDC. This will assist Fellows to prepare for the introductory four-week seminar series and the examination on air power that must be successfully completed before continuing the Fellowships. Guidance on the format of applications for CAF Fellowships is provided with the DEFGRAM, or can be obtained from the Air Power Development Centre. Applications should be forwarded to DP-AF, through your sponsor and chain of command, for consideration. Applicants whose topics are considered suitable and who meet the posting requirements for the Fellowship year will be interviewed at the Air Power Development Centre in June 2005. Those selected for interview will be asked to submit a short paper [750 words] on the research topic and its value to the RAAF before the interview takes place. Successful applicants will be posted to the Air Power Development Centre for duty starting January of the Fellowship year. Current Fellowship TopicsThe following are topics being researched by the Centre's current Fellows. These Papers will be listed in the Fellowship Papers section as they become available.
Previous Fellowship TopicsBelow are some of the previous topics discussed. Please visit the Fellowship Papers section of the Centre's publications catalogue to view what's available.
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