Disclaimer - This Roberta Sykes Scholarship is made available and administered by Aurora Foundation and is not affiliated with Curtin. You should contact Aurora Foundation for up to date information about this scholarship program, and to apply.

The Roberta Sykes Scholarship provides supplementary financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate students who wish to undertake full-time studies at any recognised overseas university. Roberta Sykes scholars must embody academic excellence and demonstrate a commitment to contributing to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Roberta Sykes Scholarships are administered by the Aurora Education Foundation and jointly funded by the Australian Government (National Indigenous Australians Agency), the British High Commission (Chevening), Cambridge Australia Scholarships Ltd, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the University of Cambridge. 

• 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
• Higher Degree by Research

• Australian Citizen

• Merit Based

The value of the Scholarship is up to a maximum amount of AUD $75,000, paid directly to the recipient in equal instalments at the start of each semester or term, subject to academic progress. 

For more information visit the Aurora website.

Study level:

• Doctoral Research
• Postgraduate Coursework
• Postgraduate Research

Area of study:

• Any area of study

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:

• Be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived; 
• Hold an Undergraduate degree with strong performance; 
• Be accepted into a Postgraduate coursework or research degree at an overseas university; 
• Be able to demonstrate that they have or will have sufficient funds to support themselves during the course of their Postgraduate study, such as through another scholarship, private sponsorship or personal funds; 
• Be able to demonstrate that their studies will be of benefit to their community upon their return to Australia.

Please complete an online application form via Aurora 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 contribute in tangible, applied ways to advance the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
• 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 a 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

Application documents explained:
 

A Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent is a signed statement, including a common seal that is typically administered by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Heritage Association, Corporation or Land Council. 

The individual is responsible for confirming their own Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity. If an individual is unable to obtain either of the above materials please contact Aurora’s Pathways Scholarships team via email at scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au.

Aurora understands that the process to obtain a Confirmation of Aboriginality with a common seal is complex, but it is required for your application to the Scholarship, any applications without this document will be marked as incomplete and will not be assessed.

Reference types:

Academic: academic staff such as Lecturers, Tutors and Course Coordinators - someone who can speak to how you have undertaken your studies. Professional staff members, such as Student Success Officers, will not be accepted.

Professional: someone who is/was your reporting manager.

For more information, please visit Aurora Foundation website.

E: info@aurorafoundation.com.au

W: www.aurorafoundation.com.au