The First Nations Cancer Scholarship

The First Nations Cancer Scholarship Program is funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Established by the Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora) and Cancer Australia the First Nations Cancer Scholarship (scholarship) will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, health professionals, and early-career researchers (ECRs) to undertake full-time postgraduate study (graduate certificate, masters or a PhD) or research in a cancer-related field. The purpose of the scholarship is to support scholars in building the skills and knowledge required to inform strategies to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous communities and increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer-related fields.

The scholarship provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, ECRs and professionals access to funds to support their full-time studies or research at recognised universities or institutes in Australia, the US or UK.

Up to four scholarships will be awarded yearly from 2024 to 2026.

Administered by Aurora, each scholarship is valued at up to $120,000 AUD per year, for up to three years. Recipients will also have access to up to $5,000 AUD per year in tailored academic and wellbeing support. In addition, Aurora will facilitate community and network-building opportunities for individuals and the scholarship cohort.

Scholars will have access to scaffolded personal, social, academic and wellbeing support, facilitated by Aurora. This support may include:

• Individual support: Aurora’s Pathways Scholarship team provides scholarship administration and will support scholars to access external services tailored to individual needs;
• Academic and wellbeing support: An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individual(s) with postgraduate study and/or research experience will provide cultural and professional guidance to scholars to identify individual academic, research and wellbeing supports;
• Community support: Aurora’s Pathways Scholarship team will connect scholars with one another and Aurora’s Alumni network to build a sense of belonging, connection and community. Aurora may facilitate gatherings, networking events and retreats.

The scholarship is awarded to individuals as a contribution towards the cost of undertaking full-time postgraduate study or research at recognised universities or institutes in Australia, the US or UK. The scholarship may be used for a range of purposes including (but not limited to):

• University fees/payment of HECS
• Research, fieldwork or laboratory equipment
• Accommodation and/or travel expenses related to research, fieldwork or conferences
• Textbooks and other essential study-related equipment
• Computer hardware, software, and internet
• Living expenses (for example, accommodation, transportation, food and other dietary requirements)
• Access to academic, health and wellbeing services
• Other academic and study-related resources.

The scholarship funds cannot be used for study or research-related expenses that should be covered by the university or institute.

Before applying, applicants should read the Scholarship Guidelines to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and can provide the required documents. Applications are available via Aurora’s Indigenous Pathways Portal Applicants are encouraged to contact the Aurora Pathways Scholarship team at scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au to discuss their application.

To read the full First Nations Cancer Scholarship Guidelines, please click here.

For more information visit Aurora’s Indigenous Pathways Portal or contact Aurora’s Pathways Leader for Scholarships via email at scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au.