What is the Tim Fischer Fellowship?
The Tim Fischer Fellowship (TFF) is a prestigious program designed to support individuals passionate about making a difference in rural and regional Australia through the power of education.
Inspired by Tim Fischer’s honesty, integrity, and selflessness, this Fellowship supports a recipient with up to $50,000 in funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help turn their bold ideas into reality. The proposed project must include an education element, whether through communities, workplaces, youth, students or other educational contexts.
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, a dedicated professional, a researcher or an emerging innovator, this Fellowship is your opportunity to create real impact and advance your career.
2026 Key Dates
CEF Awards luncheon Friday 9th October (Sydney)
Fellowship Commences October 2026
Applications for 2026
are now closed
Applications open 14th July – 24th August
2026 Key Dates
Applications Open Tuesday 14th July
Applications Close Monday 24th August
Finalist in person interviews Thursday 8th October (Sydney)
CEF Awards luncheon Friday 9th October (Sydney)
Fellowship Commences October 2026
The Fellowship objectives
– Recognise an individual who is passionate about making a difference to rural and regional Australia.
– Support an individual’s mission by funding them to explore new ideas and insights to put their ideas into practice.
– Inspire change across rural and regional Australia through the power of education.
– To strengthen communities and influence services and policies both locally and nationally.
– Support further study or exploration to contribute to the mission of CEF.
CEF Mission
“To promote and enable equal access to further education and career opportunities for rural and regional youth, irrespective of background, circumstances or location through community-based encouragement and financial assistance. To help close the educational attainment gap which exists between country and city students”
What you will receive
– Up to $50,000 for project activities, research or education.
– Access to mentors and a network to advance your leadership skills and expand your network.
– Invitations to key events and networking opportunities.
– Support to share your insights and inspire change in rural and regional Australia.
Who can apply?
The Tim Fischer Fellowship is open to individuals from all fields and career stages.
To be eligible, you must:
– Be an Australian resident and 18 years or older.
– Be passionate about supporting regional and rural communities.
– Be willing to represent Country Education Foundation (CEF) as an ambassador.
– Have a strong vision and commitment to your area of study, work, or interest.
– We encourage CEF students, alumni or volunteers to apply
While preference is given to individuals from rural and regional areas, this is not a requirement.
Your commitment
Tim Fischer Fellows will adhere to the Program Guidelines, participate in regular updates and create a report documenting their learnings and be confident to present these in public, and at CEF events.
Why apply?
– Gain financial support to bring your ideas to life.
– Connect with influential mentors and industry leaders.
– Enhance your career with exclusive development opportunities.
– Make a lasting impact in rural and regional Australia.
Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Apply today and take the next step in your journey to drive positive change.
How to apply
Applying for the Tim Fischer Fellowship is simple!
Follow these steps:
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Complete the online application form on the CEF website.
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Submit a 2-minute video explaining your idea and its potential impact.
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Provide a short written bio and image of yourself (max 350 words).
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Detail how you plan to utilise the Fellowship funding (max 350 words).
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Explain how this Fellowship will benefit your career and community (max 350 words).
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Share how you plan to communicate your insights at the conclusion of the Fellowship.
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Upload up to three supporting documents (e.g., CV/resume, project portfolio).
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Provide two referees (one personal and one professional).
Important: Applications must be submitted by 5.00 PM AEST on 24th August 2026.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Applications will be accepted via the online application form and you can preview the questions prior to your response here.
Selection process
A panel of experts will evaluate applications based on:
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Alignment with the Fellowship’s mission and objectives.
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Clarity and feasibility of the project proposal.
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Potential impact on rural and regional communities.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with the judging panel on Thursday 8th October 2026.
The successful recipient will be invited to attend the CEF Award Luncheon on Friday 8th October 2025 in Sydney where the Tim Fischer Fellow will be announced.
Download the Brochure
The TFF Brochure
A full brochure outlining the program is available here. Click the cover to read the brochure in your browser. Or click the text to download the brochure as a pdf.
Download the TFF Brochure
Our 2026 Tim Fischer Fellowship finalists
Alyssia Kennedy
Life After School
Life After School equips young people with practical skills, confidence and knowledge to successfully navigate adulthood.
Through accessible education, particularly in rural and regional communities, the program builds financial literacy, independence and work-readiness, strengthens community connections and advocates for practical life skills to become an integral part of Australian schooling.
Andrea Huglin
Outback Through Our Eyes: First Nations Youth Tourism Ambassadors
This program will develop and test a work-connected education model empowering very remote First Nations youth as tourism ambassadors.
Through digital storytelling workshops across three Queensland communities, young people and Elders will create tourism stories, build skills and strengthen intergenerational connections, producing a practical framework for future regional programs.
Dr Erin Smith
Rural Ready: Preparing the Next Generation of Rural Health Professionals for Disasters
This project will develop immersive, game-based rural disaster simulations for paramedicine, nursing and allied health students.
Through realistic, interprofessional scenarios, students will build disaster preparedness, confidence, decision-making and collaboration skills. The scalable educational resources will strengthen the future rural health workforce and help build more resilient regional communities.
Frederique Dennison
Quendi Regional: A Circle of Excellence for Regional Queensland Schools
Quendi is an AI learning platform designed to strengthen student thinking, recall and confidence without providing answers.
The Fellowship would pilot Quendi in a regional or state school, testing an accessible model for responsible classroom AI and demonstrating how effective learning techniques can reach students, regardless of location or school resources.
Nicole Chiesa
Agri Life Skills Repeatable Model
The Agri Life Skills Program connects rural and regional young people with hands-on industry experiences, career pathways and practical life skills.
The Fellowship would develop a repeatable event-based model and digital platform, enabling communities to deliver accessible programs tailored to local industries while building young people’s confidence, employability and workforce readiness.
Sanna Lundmark
Boas Language Academy
Boas Language Academy will expand its successful regional model nationally, creating employment pathways for migrants while improving access to language education.
Through an online platform, teacher training and community initiatives, the project will connect regional communities, reduce migrant underemployment, strengthen social belonging and showcase the skills of regional Australia’s migrant communities.
Tim Fischer Fellows
Our 2025 Tim Fischer Fellowship recipient
Annabelle Hudson
Annabelle, from Young, NSW, is passionate about helping rural and regional young people recognise their potential and trust their unique path.
As a psychology tutor at the University of NSW and the University of Technology Sydney, and with experience in the youth suicide prevention research team at Black Dog Institute, she bridges research with real-world impact.
With Fellowship support, Annabelle aims to co-design a tailored program for rural and regional students that helps them build self-knowledge and self-belief, recognise their strengths, and set meaningful goals.
By expanding their sense of possibility and equipping them with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges, she aims to empower rural young people to pursue futures that reflect who they are and what matters most to them.
1946-2019
The Hon Tim Fisher AC
The Hon Tim Fischer AC (1946–2019) was an Australian politician, diplomat, and veteran known for his distinguished career in public service and his contributions to Australian society.
He was known for his warmth, intellect, down-to-earth demeanour, and was also a passionate advocate for regional Australia, education, rail transport, and the arts. He was an author, broadcaster and family man.
The Hon Tim Fischer AC was a wonderful supporter and strong advocate for CEF’s work in rural and regional Australia. The former Deputy Prime Minister was involved with CEF for over 15 years.
”Good education provides not only individuals with keys for a positive future; individual meshing cogs to create real progress but also the seeds on which the fabric of the nation can build and progress.
The Hon Tim Fischer AC
The Country Education Foundation is a great facilitator in this regard, a great overall cog in the machinery of the nation – it is deserving of wide support.
