Got a great idea but don’t know how to get it off the ground? Finding the time and funding to kickstart a new social innovation can be difficult. You can have what you think is the best idea in the world but without the resources to make it happen, all you really have is, well, an idea. And ideas are a dime a dozen.
To make things even more challenging, because you’re an individual it is likely that your idea is ineligible for funding from many grant-makers, trusts, and other philanthropic funders which are limited to funding organisations with charitable status. Fortunately, new programs headed by forward-thinking organisations are emerging to help budding changemakers really make a difference.
Imagine being given 12 months and $100,000 to pursue your big idea for social change? While this may sound too good to be true, it is exactly what the Myer Foundation & Sidney Myer Fund is offering to exceptional leaders across all sectors (private, public and not-for-profit) and from all types of professional backgrounds.
Over the past four years the Myer Innovation Fellowship program has supported some of Australia’s brightest, self-directed leaders to forge breakthrough solutions to challenges facing Australia today – from education, poverty and disadvantage to sustainability and the environment. Unlike, many opportunities for social change, the Fellowship program provides support to individuals rather than organisations. Previous recipients include Jordan O’Reilly (Hireup), Sophie Weldon (StoryPod), Marita Cheng (AuBot), and Andrew Robinson (QuestaGame).
As a Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to take twelve months away from your current role to develop your ground-breaking idea into a plan for action. Fellows each receive $100,000 and an additional $30,000 for approved expenses such as work space, rent, travel and contracting of external expertise.
Expressions of Interest for 2018 Fellowships are now open and will close at midnight 8 October 2017 AEST. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step outside the routine and rhythm of everyday life and chase down an answer to the great tests we face as a nation. Apply today.
