Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship

Overview

Applications closed. Next round of applications to open in January 2024.

A prestigious national scholarship for Indigenous students to study honours in political science at ANY Australian university.

Neville Bonner's life is a study not only of courage, conscience and compassion in the face of extraordinary adversity, but also of personal and national reconciliation.

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 Selection Committee may also consider application from other subject areas (consistent with the broad aim of the Scholarship) where there is a political component to the proposed thesis.

Field of study

Political Science

Eligibility

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.

Benefits

The Scholarship is equivalent in value to the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Stipend (valued at approximately $28,854 in 2023). The scholarship also includes up front payments of the student contribution amounts relevant to the Honours year of study. The award is paid in two equal installments over the period of the Scholarship (one academic year of full-time study or pro rata over two years for approved part-time study).

How to apply

Candidates must complete the Application Form and submit it with the requested documents (as specified in the Application Form) including their original academic transcript/s and a letter of acceptance into the Honours program. The Referee Report Form and Conditions of Award can be accessed through the Resources tab.

Written evidence must be provided to confirm the candidate's status as an Indigenous Australian of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This may include a letter from an Indigenous community leader or Indigenous organisation or other documentation.

Candidates must also submit a personal statement of up to two pages in support of their application. This may include a description of their chosen honours topic, service to the Indigenous community and future aspirations.

Candidates may also include a brief resume (up to two pages). Please note that including a resume is not compulsory but if you have one, you can attach it to your application if you wish.

Additional Information is attached to the Application Form - including the Scholarship Terms and Conditions and some information on Neville Bonner.

Completed applications (including all required documentation) must be received by the Scholarship Administrator by the due date. Please do not submit additional information that has not been requested, as it will not be considered by the Selection Committee.

Referees

You need two academic referees who can comment on your suitability to undertake study at Honours level. Provide your academic referees with a copy of the Referee Report Form and write their contact details on your Application Form.

The Referee Report Form can be downloaded under the section"Reference Documents" on this webpage.

You also need one personal referee. This can be someone who is not related to you but who has known you for at least three years, who can write a letter on your personal qualities, extra-curricular activities, other interests and community involvement. Please refer to the Application Form for more details.

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.

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.

Further information

For further information, please contact philanthropic.scholarships@anu.edu.au.