1. What are you looking for in the Personal Statement section of the ADM Fellowships Expression of Interest (EOI) application? 

The EOI personal statement (500 words) should be a personal account of your motivations for applying for an ADM Fellowship. We want to understand how you would love, under God, to “be raised up to engage a sceptical and hurting world with the good news of Jesus, as you serve in our churches, communities, nation or world” – both during the Fellowship and into the future.

In your personal statement, you might like to address concrete questions such as:

  • How do you plan on engaging a sceptical and hurting world with the good news of Jesus – both during the Fellowship and into the future?

  • How do your gifts, expertise, experience and background provide a foundation for doing this?

  • What are your vocational goals? What factors have motivated you to pursue this path?

  • How have you integrated your faith and vocation? How you think about the connections between the gospel and your field of expertise? Why is the vocational path that you are on a good place for you to be a public advocate for Christianity and to contribute to serving the Church and its witness?

  • Which kinds of audiences do you hope to engage in the future and how will an ADM Fellowship help you prepare for this?

  • Is there a particular person who inspires you as a model for the above?

  • Why is an ADM Fellowship of interest to you?

Note: You do not need to address all of these specific questions, rather they are suggested as prompts to help you write your statement.

 

2. Does my project have to be on an explicitly Christian or theological topic? 

Well, yes and no. ‘No’ in the sense that your project could be in any field, for instance, history, healthcare, the arts, psychology or education. We welcome projects both that are within the specific subject areas of theology, biblical studies and church ministry, as well as from many other fields and areas.

However, ‘yes’ in the sense that the applicant must have a clear vision for how completing their Fellowship project would provide them with opportunities to engage a sceptical and hurting world with the good news of Jesus and to contribute to serving Christ and His Church. For instance, perhaps your project will make a new contribution to a field of research which highlights biblical insights on a particular issue. Or perhaps your project will work towards change in a sector or organisation, such that it moves closer to a Christian understanding on an issue or area of practice. Or perhaps completing your project will allow you to be engaged as a subject-matter expert on an important theological or pastoral area for the Church, or on an important issue affecting our broader society and you have a vision for how you might do so from a Christian perspective.

In short, our Fellows pursue diverse projects across many different fields and sectors. But they all do so within the larger framework of developing their work for the purposes of engaging a sceptical and hurting world with the good news of Jesus, as they serve in our churches, communities, nation and world.

 

3. The ADM Fellowships Program has supported a number of research and writing projects in the past. Why is that? 

Research and writing projects are particularly useful for raising up Christian women for a lifetime of engaging a sceptical and hurting world with the good news of Jesus. Completing a research project can enable a Fellow to speak in the public sphere with the authority of expertise in her field. Completing a writing project also allows a Fellow to sharpen their communication skills, putting them in a strong position to be a clear and gracious advocate for the Christian faith. Having said this, the ADM Fellowships Program supports a wide range of projects, many of which are not based around research or writing. We encourage Christian women from a variety of backgrounds, fields and experience to apply. We also warmly encourage women in ordained or lay ministry to apply.

 

4. What is a focused project? Why do I need to have a specific project to apply to be a Fellow?

ADM Fellowships support focused, major projects for a number of reasons. For instance, completing a defined project allows a Fellow to ‘get runs on the board’ which form the foundation for further opportunities after their Fellowship and help set them on a sustainable pathway to continue their contribution. Furthermore, completing a project allows a Fellow to produce specific and valuable outputs which can be shared with our churches, communities, nation and world. For some examples of past projects, read about our current ADM Fellows.

 

5. Can I use an ADM Fellowship to complete a thesis which is part of a higher degree program I am enrolled in, such as a PhD or Masters thesis?

This is technically permissible; however, we will give preference to candidates who have developed a focused Fellowships project and persuasive rationale for it, which is separate to the requirements of a thesis or degree program. The outputs should go beyond material examinable as part of a degree.

 

6. Can I use an ADM Fellowship to complete a coursework degree program?

No. Completing coursework cannot be the Fellowship project. There need to be clearly defined outputs. However, through the period of the Fellowship, you may need to engage in coursework, study, training or professional development for yourself to complete the project. To assess this, we will assess whether the planned the coursework is to be pursued in service of the broader Fellowship project and outputs, public engagement and impact, and not as the endpoint.

 

7. Do I have to work at the office? Is there any flexibility?

Yes, and yes. As stated in the terms and conditions, ADM Fellows are expected to work at the office on their allocated workdays. However, the ADM office culture follows a generous flexible work policy, which means core office hours are 10am – 3pm, and those who work more than 3 days, can choose to work a day from home. While ADM Fellows are not employees of ADM, similar office habits are encouraged for Fellows.

Further flexible work arrangements can also be requested in writing by ADM Fellows on a case-by-case basis – for example, for a project that requires the use of a studio, archives or conducting interviews, or for other personal and carer needs. In such cases, Fellows would still be encouraged to come in for Fellows’ gatherings approximately once a month for two hours.

 

8. I am not an Anglican. Am I still able to apply?

Yes. Our Fellowships are open to all Christian women (over the age of 18) who have a personal commitment to ADM’s theological principles. The full eligibility and assessment criteria are ADM Fellowships and ADM Senior Fellowships can be found on the Apply page.

 

9. Are international applicants eligible to apply?

Yes. International applicants can apply but you must be able to work in the ADM office in Sydney during the period of the Fellowship.

 

10. If I apply for a base level ADM Fellowship will I be competing against Senior level applicants?

No. We review applications for ADM Senior Fellowships and applications for ADM Fellowships separately. Base level applicants are not compared with Senior level applicants. As a general rule, all applications are assessed relative to stage and opportunity, also taking into account career interruptions. Each year, we aim to award at least one base level Fellowship. 

 

11. I have more questions.. Can I speak with someone about my particular situation?

Yes! If you have questions about whether an ADM Fellowship is right for you, or how to approach the application, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us at hello@deaconessministries.org.au and we can reply over email or arrange a phone or video call with you.