Applications are now open for research scholarships for Government school teachers to study in the United States.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Heather Butler, said the Hardie Fellowships enable outstanding teachers employed by the Department of Education to study and conduct research for six months or longer.

'The 2009-10 fellowships will focus on the areas of literacy. curriculum, maths and science education, educational leadership, information communication technology and areas focussed on student support,' Ms Butler said.

'This is a fantastic opportunity for teachers to explore some our most important priority areas in education in greater depth.

'Their research will benefit their fellow teachers as well as many Tasmanian students.

'Now in their sixth year, the fellowships are made possible by a generous bequest by the late Professor Charles Hardie.

'Prof. Hardie was Dean of Education at the University of Tasmania from 1946-76.

'The bequest of $7.5 million is managed by Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees, with the interest available to the Department of Education to fund a number of fellowships each year.

'The fellowships are for travel in term 3 of 2009 and throughout 2010,' Ms Butler said.

Applications for the fellowships close on Tuesday June 30.

Application forms and more information are available at:

www.education.tas.gov.au/school/teaching-in-tasmania/awards/hardie  

For more information phone: 6212 3245 or email:

Learning.Services.S@education.tas.gov.au