The Joan, Arthur & Helen Thacker Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Scholarship

Established by the University of Otago Council in 2014, through the provision of funding from Helen R Thacker, this scholarship aims to support students of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent to undertake postgraduate studies in the field of Health Sciences at the University of Otago. The purpose of the fund is to support research and training in health sciences subjects that may have a future benefit to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.

Scholarship details

Value: $60,000 approx. total

Duration: Duration of the program

Availability: 1 scholarship offered

Application dates

Closed

Close: 01/10/2024

Closed

Open: 01/10/2025

Options


This scholarship is for:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants

Areas of study:

  • Dentistry
  • Health services and support
  • Medicine

At Institution:

  • Registered Training Centre
  • Other

Study level:

  • Postgraduate coursework
  • Postdoctoral
  • Postgraduate research

Study Load:

  • Full Time

Location:

  • Overseas

Eligibility Criteria

The scholarship is open to students who are:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
Australian citizens and residing in Australia at the time of application;
Planning to enrol in a postgraduate course of study in either Dental Technology, Dentistry, Oral Health, Medicine, Neuroscience, Pharmacy or Radiation Therapy at the University of Otago;
Planning to undertake study/research that is likely to be of future benefit to their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community;
Intending to return to work in Australia after their course of study.

How to Apply

Every application for the scholarship must be submitted to the Doctoral & Scholarships Office no later than 1 October in the year prior to when that study will commence. Applicants are required to submit:
Their full tertiary academic transcript;
A curriculum vitae including the names and contact details of two academic referees;
A letter of support from the applicant’s Dean or Head of Faculty or appropriate person;
A statement of the proposed course of study, including the location and dates, which explains the possible benefit of the study to their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community (no more than 500 words);
A copy of their passport details page;
A clear declaration that the applicant is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent: that the applicant identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait community in which they come from.

Further Information

Award of the scholarship is dependent on the recipient being admitted to the programme
and enrolled in the degree for which the funding is given.
For a candidate undertaking doctoral study, an annual progress report must be submitted
to the Graduate Research Committee. For a Master’s or other postgraduate students, an
annual progress report should be submitted to the Course Program Co-ordinator. The
report must be submitted at the conclusion of each year and a copy sent to the
Development & Alumni Relations Office, for the Donor;
The recipient must acknowledge support of the Joan, Arthur & Helen Thacker Aboriginal
Postgraduate Scholarship in any publication resulting from the Scholarship either during
or following its tenure;
The University of Otago reserves the right to use the names, photographs, and details of
successful applicants for advertising and publicity. The award holders must agree to be
reasonably available to participate in interviews and promotional activities if requested by
the University of Otago.