Disclaimer - This Charlie Perkins Scholarships to study at Oxford or Cambridge is made available and administered by Aurora Education Foundation and is not affiliated with Curtin. You should contact Aurora Education Foundation for up to date information about the Charlie Perkins Scholarship, and to apply.

The Charlie Perkins Scholarships are postgraduate scholarships are directed towards Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians who have the potential to become leaders in their field of study and in their communities. 

​The Scholarships were launched in 2009 in the memory of leader and activist Dr Charlie Perkins - the first Aboriginal person in Australia to graduate from university. In 2009, with the assistance of the University of Oxford, the Charlie Perkins Trust established the annual Charlie Perkins Scholarships to support two talented Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians each to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford from 2010. In 2011, with support from the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust, the Scholarships also became available for study at the University of Cambridge. 

Fifteen years ago there had never been an Indigenous Australian studying full-time at Oxford or Cambridge. Since then, 34 Charlie Perkins Scholars have been accepted into full-time studies at these universities. To date, 31have graduated. You can read more about each Scholar's journey here.

The Charlie Perkins Scholarship Trust is administered by the Aurora Education Foundation. A panel of prominent Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, together with a representative of the British Government and from Cambridge Australia Scholarships, select the Charlie Perkins Scholars each year.

• Current Students

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

• Postgraduate coursework

• Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Students

• Australian Citizen

• Merit Based

The value of each Perkins Scholarship will vary depending on the scholarship-holder’s course of study. It will cover up to three years full university and college fees, travel costs and an annual stipend for living expenses. 

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There are a number of deadlines for applying to study at the University of Oxford, depending on the course you choose. We strongly advise you check the Oxford website before you begin your application.

The deadline for students who wish to apply for study at the University of Cambridge can vary depending on where your interview takes place. Please check the website with plenty of time to prepare your application.  Please also ensure you apply before the deadline for Cambridge Graduate Funding opportunities.

You must apply directly to the university prior to applying for this Scholarship. Each course and university has its own deadlines which you must be aware of (please refer to the Charlie Perkins Trust website). Please ensure you read all the information below and contact the Scholarships team at scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au if you have any questions about the application process. 

Applicants must:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived;
• Provide written confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity from an incorporated Indigenous organisation or Land Council;
• Provide written enrolment in a postgraduate course at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge;
• Provide a budget (a template is provided) outlining how the Scholarship funds will be used and;
• Be able to demonstrate how your chosen course of study will support you in becoming a leader in your chosen field and within your communities. 

Course Application Deadline:

There are a number of deadlines for applying to study at the University of Oxford, depending on the course you choose. We strongly advise you check the Oxford website before you begin your application. The deadline for students who wish to apply for study at the University of Cambridge can vary depending on where your interview takes place. Please check the website with plenty of time to prepare your application.

When to apply

Before applying, interested candidates should check the university websites to clarify exact entry requirements for their chosen course/s. The Trust encourages candidates to consider applying to both universities to increase their chances of being accepted into their program of interest.

Applications for the 2025 Charlie Perkins Scholarships are open from 13 October 2025. Applications will close 30 January 2025 (AEST).
 

Applications are accepted online via the Aurora Education Foundation website.
 

Please ensure you submit an application with all required documents. Your application will not be considered complete or pass the shortlisting process if all required documents are not submitted by the Scholarship closing date.

The required documents include:

• A personal statement of no more than two pages, outlining:
• Why you want to study your chosen course;
• How you identify with the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community(ies) in which you live, have lived or have ancestral connection to, and the contributions you have made within the community;
• Ways in which understanding and completing your chosen course will allow you to become a leader in your field of study and in your community.
• Written confirmation of full-time enrolment from the relevant university. Alternatively, written confirmation of the application submitted to the relevant university;
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• A high-resolution corporate headshot in jpeg format;
• A copy of your most up-to-date official academic transcript;
• Academic transcripts: official transcripts of your university results (including mid-year if possible);
• Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity through a letter stamped with the common seal and signed by the chairperson of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Land Council, in whose area the person lives or has previously lived OR a letter stamped and signed by an authorised delegate of an incorporated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation;
• Completed budget (there is a downloadable template within the application form);
• One written reference from an Elder or senior member of your community to highlight your connection to community and;
• Two written academic references highlighting your capabilities and the benefits of completing the chosen course OR;
• One academic and one professional written reference highlighting your capabilities and the benefits of completing the chosen course.

Ensure all references are emailed by the referee directly to scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au

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If you intend to apply for a Charlie Perkins Scholarship, please visit the Charlie Perkins Scholarship - Aurora Education Foundation website.

For more information and to apply, please visit Charlie Perkins Scholarships to study at Oxford or Cambridge website.