The Professional Development Grant (Scholarship) has been developed to support students undertaking activities that enhance their academic learning and their personal and professional development. Funding can support a range of activities aligned with the values of leadership, service, and community impact. 

The scholarship can be used toward the following areas and types of activities:

1. Global Citizenship and Leadership

Activities that foster cross-cultural understanding, diplomacy or leadership in global or regional contexts.

Examples include:

• Attending or presenting at a United Nations or international conference
• Participating in global youth leadership summits or policy forums
• Representing Curtin in an international student or research delegation

2. Service and Social Impact

Activities that demonstrate social responsibility, advocacy or community contribution.

Examples include:

• Volunteering with humanitarian or environmental organisations
• Leading or contributing to service projects addressing social challenges
• Developing an initiative that benefits a local or global community

3. Research, Innovation and Creative Endeavour

Activities that extend academic learning through independent or collaborative inquiry or creative practice.

Examples include:

• Conducting or publishing research beyond coursework requirements
• Developing a prototype, publication or creative work with real-world application
• Presenting research or creative work at a professional or academic event

4. Professional Development and Industry Engagement

Activities that strengthen employability and future career pathways through applied learning.

Examples include:

• Completing a professional certification or specialised training course
• Undertaking an internship, practicum or field experience not otherwise funded
• Participating in professional or industry association events

• 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)

• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate coursework

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

• Merit Based

The scholarship will provide the following support:

• A total value up to $3,000 towards an approved experience

• All undergraduate and postgraduate courses

Double degrees considered.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply for the scholarship:

• Domestic student (Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, Australian permanent humanitarian or New Zealand citizen)
• Enrolled in a minimum 50 credits in any year of an eligible degree in semester 1, 2026
• Have a minimum course weighted average (CWA) of 60
• Intending on completing/participating in an event/activity that relates to one of the following four themes:
  
  • Career development
  • Leadership development
  • Promotion of social justice
  • Service to the community
• Event/activity must take place between January 2026 - August 2027
• Event/activity must not be part of a graded course activity
• Receive endorsement of the event/activity you will be undertaking from your relevant school/faculty/area

Step 1: Access application form

• Application form can be accessed via the ‘My Studies’ tab in OASIS or via the ‘Apply Online’ button on the top right-hand side of this page
• If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student and would like to be considered for this scholarship (as well as all equity and merit scholarships), we recommend that you apply for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Program here (only one application form to complete)

Step 2: Complete

• Complete the application form online
• Application form can be saved at any point of the process
• Multiple scholarships can be applied for at one time
• Tips on how to complete your application can be found on the ‘Applying for scholarships’ link on the scholarships website

Step 3: Submit

• Closing date is listed at the top of the page and within the Scholarships Channel (Student OASIS)
• Incomplete applications will not be assessed
• Once submitted, application status will change to submitted

Step 4: Receipt

• Application receipt will be sent to student email once application has been submitted

Step 5: Assessment

• Applications will be assessed by an assessment panel using the following criteria:
  • Responses to questions in application form
  • Academic merit
  • Barriers to education
  • Event / Activity
• Preference may be given to students who have not previously received this scholarship before.
• Your event/activity must:
  • Comply with Curtin’s travel process and associated student travel procedures as outlined on the Student Travel Support webpage.
  • This includes submitting and receiving approval for all associated FRA’s/TOP requests.

Step 6: Outcome

• All successful and unsuccessful applicants notified of their outcome via the Scholarships Channel (Student OASIS) within 9 weeks of the scholarship closing date

Step 7: Acceptance

• Successful applicants must accept the terms and conditions via the Scholarship Channel (Student OASIS) by the lapse date

Please note:

• Scholarship will be awarded if there are applicants of sufficient merit

Recipients must meet all of the following:

• Maintain enrolment each study period at Curtin University
• Completion of event/activity between between January 2026 - August 2027
• Not be in receipt of any other scholarship from the same funding source and/or for the same purpose

Scholarships Office

E: scholarships@curtin.edu.au

T: 1300 222 888

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

For further information about applying for scholarships including important dates and tips for preparing your application, utilise the resources available on the Applying for Scholarships webpage.