The American-Australian Arts Fund (AAAF) provides support of up to US $10,000 to emerging Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Indigenous Australi...
Roberta Sykes Scholarship
The Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation provides supplementary financial assistance to Indigenous Postgraduate students who wish to undertake studies at any recognised overseas university. The scholarship is offered for one year, but recipients may reapply for a subsequent year of the same program of study. Roberta Sykes Scholarships are jointly funded by the Australian Government (National Indigenous Australians Agency), the British High Commission (Chevening), Cambridge Australia Scholarships Ltd, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, and the University of Cambridge.
Scholarship details
Application dates
How to apply
Internally managed. Fill our online form at https://aurorafoundation.com.au/our-work/indigenous-pathways-portal/scholarships/roberta-sykes-scholarship/
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This scholarship is for:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
Academic meritAreas of study:
- Any Area of Study
At Institution:
- Other
- TAFE
Study level:
- Postgraduate coursework
- Postgraduate research
Study Load:
- Full Time
Location:
- Overseas
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived;
- Hold an Undergraduate degree with strong performance;
- Be accepted into a Postgraduate coursework or research degree at an overseas university;
- Be able to demonstrate that they have or will have sufficient funds to support themselves during the course of their Postgraduate study, such as through another scholarship, private sponsorship or personal funds;
- Be able to demonstrate that their studies will be of benefit to their community upon their return to Australia.
How to Apply
Please complete an online application form. You will need the following documents:
Your personal statement should address the following:
Why you want to study your chosen course, how you identify with the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which you live/have lived and past contributions you have made within your community and ways in which understanding your chosen course will benefit the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community (and wider community) following the completion of your course.
A current curriculum vitae (CV);
Academic transcripts: official transcripts of your university results (including mid-year if possible);
Offer letter – offer letter or proof of application to selected institution. This will need to be sent directly to scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au;
Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent: through a signed statement, including a common seal.
Budget;
A high resolution headshot;
Four references: 2 Academic and/or Professional, 1 Personal and 1 Community – for more explanation on this please see the “further information” tab.
Further Information
Application documents explained:
A Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent is a signed statement, including a common seal that is typically administered by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Heritage Association, Corporation or Land Council.
Aurora understands that the process to obtain a Confirmation of Aboriginality with a common seal is complex, but it is required for your application to the Scholarship, any applications without this document will be marked as incomplete and will not be assessed.
Reference types:
Academic: academic staff such as Lecturers, Tutors and Course Coordinators – someone who can speak to how you have undertaken your studies. Professional staff members, such as Student Success Officers, will not be accepted.
Personal: someone who you hold a long-standing relationship with and can speak to your character and aspirations.
Professional: someone who is/was your reporting manager.
Community: a recognised Leader or Elder in your community.