Northrop Grumman Foundation Announces 2017 American Australian Association Fellowship Award

CANBERRA, Australia, Nov. 08, 2016 -- The Northrop Grumman Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2017 Northrop Grumman Foundation-American Australian Association (AAA) Fellowship for advanced research and study in science and technology.

As part of its commitment to the AAA’s Fellowship program, the Foundation will provide sponsorship to mathematics scholar Scott Mullane to undertake advanced studies in moduli spaces in the United States. Scott received a Master of Science degree at the University of Melbourne and a doctorate from Boston College, and will use the funding provided by the AAA to complete a 12 month postdoctoral scholarship at Harvard University.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation-American Australian Association Fellowship provides an annual scholarship to a highly talented Australian student undertaking research in areas of study focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This fellowship is offered as part of the AAA’s range of scholarships which provide up to $40,000 for Australia’s brightest researchers to undertake advanced graduate or postgraduate research in the United States and aim to foster intellectual exchange between the United States and Australia. 

As part of his placement at Harvard University, Scott will work on cutting edge advancements in the study of moduli spaces, which relates to many branches of science including modelling the universe in physics and analysing the structures of DNA in technology. “It is essential that Australian academics remain globally connected and part of top quality international research collaborations, and the foresight and support of the AAA is critical to allowing these incredible opportunities to occur,” said Mullane.

“We congratulate Scott on his success in winning this highly competitive award,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Northrop Grumman is proud to support STEM students at all levels in Australia, and we identify with Scott’s passion in regards to supporting Australians to expand their academic horizons at institutions across the world.”

“At the American Australian Association we are committed to developing Australian talent and to ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of research,” said Diane Sinclair, vice president, AAA. “We are thrilled to have the ongoing support of the Northrop Grumman Foundation to allow Australian scholars to forge strong links with American research partners across a range of STEM disciplines which are critical for Australia’s future.”

This is the third year Northrop Grumman and the AAA have partnered to offer the fellowship to Australian researchers. Benjamin Morrell, who received the first fellowship in 2015, studied at Texas A&M University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He said, “The experience enabled by the fellowship led to the forging of connections with collaborators, researchers, industry professionals and industry leaders throughout America that have been, and will be, invaluable in developing closer connections between Australia and the United States.”

In Australia, in addition to awarding a range of academic scholarships, Northrop Grumman sponsors scholarships for high school students and teachers from Australia to attend Space Camp® at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center® in Huntsville, Alabama. The company has also entered into strategic partnership agreements with the University of Sydney and the Australian Defence Force Academy to work jointly on education, training programs and research initiatives. For more information, please visit www.northropgrumman.com/foundation

About the American Australian Association

Established in 1948, the American Australian Association is the largest public not-for-profit organisation devoted to building strategic alliances between the United States and Australia. The Association’s Education Fund provides postgraduate educational opportunities in Australia and the U.S. Since 2002, the Association has awarded fellowships to Australians and Americans for advanced research and study in the U.S. and Australia. To date, $5 million in fellowships has been awarded to more than 200 scholars. Please visit https://americanaustralian.site-ym.com/?page=eduoverview for more information.

About the Northrop Grumman Foundation

Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are committed to expanding and enhancing the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM students globally. They provide funding to sustainable STEM programs that span from preschool to high school and through collegiate levels, with a major emphasis on middle school students and teachers. In 2015, Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation continued outreach efforts by contributing more than $17.4 million to diverse STEM-related groups such as the Air Force Association (CyberPatriot), the REC Foundation (VEX Robotics), National Science Teachers Association, and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.

Contact: 
Christian Taubenschlag (Australia)
+61 2 6161 8627 (office)
+421 774 748 (mobile)
[email protected]