Gowrie Bursary

Overview

Applications closed. Next round of applications to open in December 2023.

The Gowrie Bursary derives from a fund that was set up in 1943 to maintain research scholarships in perpetual memory of those Australian men and women who gave their lives for their country in the Second World War.

The bursary is targeted at those who are serving or have served in the Australian Armed Forces and their lineal descendants, particularly those for whom its relatively small monetary value will make a real difference.

Field of study

The Gowrie Bursary is available to students undertaking a graduate research program at any Australian or international university.

Eligibility

The Award is available each year to Australian citizens who:

are past or present members of the Australian Armed Forces (whether permanent or Reserve), or are lineal descendants of such members (see Section 18. Definitions); and
are able to demonstrate financial hardship; and
have completed a Bachelors Degree with Honours (AQF Level 8) or equivalent (AQF Level 9 Extended) and have graduated from a university or recognised tertiary institution in Australia or overseas; and
have applied for, been accepted into, or are a continuing student in a Masters Degree (Research) or PhD program at any Australian or international university

Selection

In awarding the bursary, the following factors will be taken into consideration:

level of financial hardship demonstrated; and
educational accomplishments; and
strength of character (as evidenced, for example, by the candidate's participation in extracurricular university or community activity or by their coping or having coped with significant personal challenges); and
any impact on the applicant resulting from the their or their nominated forebear's service in the Australian Armed Forces.

Special consideration will be given to lineal descendants of a member of the Australian Armed Forces who died as a result of any occurrence which happened during their service in war or non-warlike operations in or since the Second World War.

Benefits

The bursary is currently valued at up to $8,000 per annum.

The duration of the award will be one year in the first instance. Successful applicants are required to re-apply if they are seeking funding for a second year, and to include a progress report from their research project supervisor.