Applicants for both the Masters and PhD scholarships are requested to ensure that they have the correct application form, which was updated on the 14th March.
For women, who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, enrolled in a postgraduate Masters degree (by research or including a thesis) at a South Australian university.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- be studying for a postgraduate award which is classified at Masters Degree level. This must be by research or include a thesis component; and
- have completed at least six months full time equivalent of their masters program; and
- have a good undergraduate academic record; and
- not be in full time paid employment or on fully paid leave during the tenure of the Scholarship; and
- not have received a scholarship or award in the same category (previously named the AFUW-SA Diamond Jubilee Scholarship) in 2024; and
- and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
There is no restriction on field of study. The scholarship may be held concurrently with awards offered by organisations other than the AFUW-SA Inc. Trust Fund.
How a scholarship may be used
This scholarship is not intended to fund basic costs that should be met by your University, unless unforeseen costs are incurred. (Please explain if this is the case). The scholarship is intended to help students in the critical phase leading up to completion of their studies. The scholarship must be used within twelve months of the date of the award (June 2025), i.e. by the end of June 2026.
Selection criteria
Selection of winners is based on financial need, the likely impact of the scholarship on progress, referees’ comments, the purpose for which the scholarship will be used, and the applicant’s academic profile and contribution to the academic and wider community.
Value
The amount of each scholarship will not exceed $3,000 but may be less depending on requirements of the successful applicant/s, if more than one scholarship is offered based on applicant rankings and funds available. No one will be awarded more than one scholarship in any one year. In exceptional circumstances the trustees of the Graduate Women SA Trust Inc Fund reserve the right not to award a scholarship.
Source of funds
Until 2009 funds for these scholarships were raised annually by the Academic Hoods and Gowns Hiring Service run on a voluntary basis by the then trustees, members of AFUW-SA Inc. (later GWSA Inc.) and friends. Funds are now sourced from income earned on that legacy of capital and subsequent investments, bequests and donations.
Closing date for applications 31st March 2025.
Lodgement of applications
Your application must be emailed (including attachments) to: bursaries@gwsa-trust.com.au by close of business 31st March 2024.
Applications received after the due date will not be considered.
Applications remain the property of the trustees of the Graduate Women SA Trust Fund.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all necessary documentation, including references, are received prior to the closing dates.
The only exception to this is official documentation not available by the closing date, such as evidence of enrolment at an institution. Please list such items in a covering email accompanying your application and forward them no later than three weeks after the closing date for applications.
The Trust Fund Trustees and scholarship selection committee members are all volunteers. Assistance for applicants will be made available where possible by responding to written requests for advice sent to: info@gwsa-trust.com.au This will not include details concerning receipt of necessary documentation or status of applications. Winners will be notified by email and results posted on the Trust website after 30th June. If you have queries please allow sufficient time for a reply, or consult the FAQ page.
Intellectual property
The Trustees recognise that postgraduate students retain ownership of intellectual property arising from any research undertaken during their course of study.
Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged. In the normal course of events, the successful applicants will be notified by the last day of June in the year of the award. Subsequently, a list of winners will be loaded to the Trust Fund Web site. The decision of the selection committee will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.