This scholarship is made available and administered by The Pinnacle Foundation and is not affiliated with Curtin. You should contact The Pinnacle Foundation for up-to-date information about the scholarship, and to apply. 

The Pinnacle Foundation provide educational scholarships, mentoring and opportunities for young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential. Scholarships are awarded for full-time study at public institutions of higher education in Australia, for the purpose of gaining an educational or vocational qualification in any profession, trade or the arts.

Pinnacle enables young LGBTQIA+ Australians to realise their full potential, become self-reliant, maintain their dignity and give back themselves. The lasting social and economic benefits for the individual, the LGBTQIA+ community, and wider society are great. 

• Current Students
• Future 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)

• Pathways to undergraduate
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate coursework
• Higher Degree by Research

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident

• Need Based
• Merit Based

Pinnacle Foundation Scholarships awarded to:

• Students in their first year as a Pinnacle scholar are valued at $9,000.
• Awarded to returning scholars are valued at $6,750.

Multi-Year Scholarships
Scholarships may be granted on a multi-year basis, subject to the scholar continuing to satisfy the eligibility and selection criteria, and demonstrating an excellent attendance record, acceptable academic performance, a positive mentor review, and having made a positive contribution to the Pinnacle family.

• Full-time studies in a pathway, undergraduate, postgraduate coursework or HDR course

To be eligible for consideration for a Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship, you must meet every one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Australian citizen or permanent resident (proof required during application stage)
• At least 18 years of age and younger than 27 years of age on 31 August (the closing date for applications)
• Have achieved good or reasonable scholastic results given your circumstances
• Will be undertaking fulltime studies at a public tertiary institution (including TAFE or university)
• Identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community

Application
Please visit The Pinnacle Foundation's website to apply: Apply for a Scholarship - Pinnacle Foundation

Application Dates
Applications open 1 July 2026 and close on 31 August 2026 (10:00PM AEST)

Selection Criteria
Eligible applicants will be assessed for a scholarship by the Selection Committee and State/Territory Committees based on the following selection criteria:

• Have faced, and attempted to overcome, challenges because of your identity and/or sexual orientation and/or sexual characteristics
• Have personal or social circumstances which may hinder completion of your education. Personal and social circumstances may include whether you are first in family to attend a tertiary institution, identify as being from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, are culturally and linguistically diverse, have a disability, have been in foster care, have been homeless, or were raised or live(d) in a regional, rural or remote area of Australia
• Can demonstrate sufficient motivation to complete a course or the remaining years of a course (as the case may be) of fulltime study and demonstrate an understanding of the rigors of academic life
• Are clear about where your studies may take your career; and
• Are proud to be a part of a diverse Australian community, including with respect to gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual characteristics

Decriable Scholar Attributes
Scholarship applicants demonstrating the following attributes will be preferred:

• Self-awareness, courage and determination
• Problem solving capacity and initiative
• Social and political awareness
• Involved in extra-curricular activities including, but not limited to, causes related to the LGBTQIA+ community, politics, sport, music, a trade and/or the arts

For all enquiries, please contact:

The Pinnacle Foundation 

• Phone: 0411 111 154‬
• Email: info@thepinnaclefoundation.org

• Realise Your Full Potential | The Pinnacle Foundation
• Apply for a Scholarship - Pinnacle Foundation