Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship

Established in the year 2000 by the Federal Government, The Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship is Australia’s most prestigious scholarship for Indigenous Australians to study Honours in Political Science (or related subjects) at any recognised Australian university. One Neville Bonner Scholarship may be awarded each year. Political Science may be broadly interpreted to include such subjects as government, political geography, political history, political anthropology and political economics.  The Scholarship is equivalent in value to the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Stipend (valued at approximately $28,597 in 2021).

Scholarship details

Value: $28,854 approx. total

Duration: 1 Year

Availability: 1 scholarship offered

Application dates

Closed

Open: 08/01/2024
Close: 16/02/2024

Options


This scholarship is for:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
Academic merit

Areas of study:

  • Humanities, culture and social sciences

At Institution:

Any in Australia

Study level:

  • Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma

Study Load:

  • Full Time

Location:

  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • SA
  • QLD
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA

Eligibility Criteria

The award is available each year to a student who:
  • Is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
  • Identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person;
  • Is recognised as such by their community;
  • Is currently enrolled (or has been enrolled) in a course of study leading to the award of a Bachelor Degree with majors relevant to the enrolment in an Honours year in politics or political science (or related subjects) at a recognised Australian university;
  • Receives an offer of admission into an eligible Honours program.

How to Apply

Please refer to this ANU link for more information on how to apply for this opportunity.
 
Candidates must provide:
  • a completed Application Form
  • original academic transcripts
  • a letter of acceptance into the Honours program
  • evidence to confirm the candidate’s status as an Indigenous Australia of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • a personal statement of up to two pages
  • a brief resume of up to two pages
Completed applications (including all required documentation) must be received by the Scholarship Administrator by the due date. 

Further Information

Honours admission:
Acceptance into the Honours program at the relevant university is a prerequisite for the confirmation of the award of the Scholarship. An applicant who is not currently a student of the University at which he or she wishes to undertake the Honours program must apply separately and concurrently for admission to that university.
 
Referees:
You need two academic referees who can comment on your suitability to undertake study at Honours level.
 
Selection process:
The Selection Committee will take into account the academic achievement of the student, the suitability of the applicant for an Honours year of study as assessed by the referees, the relevance of the proposed Honours research project to the Scholarship objectives, the student’s aspirations including expressed interest in service to the Indigenous community, and other criteria as included from time to time by the Selection Committee.

There are no interviews conducted for this scholarship. Selection is based on the information provided in the Application and supporting documentation (including University transcripts) and the referee reports.

The award of the Scholarship is conditional on the Scholar gaining entry into the Honours program.