Scholarship details
Study levels
Postgraduate
Student type
Future students and Current students
Study area
Justice and Law and justice
Eligibility criteria
Indigenous Australian
Citizenship
Australian
Application dates
- Applications open
- 4 May 2026
- Applications close
- 31 July 2026
What you'll receive
You will receive a scholarship valued at up to $14,000.
The scholarship will be paid as a stipend in four instalments of $3,500 per teaching period for up to one year, following confirmation of your enrolment after the census of each teaching period.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:
- be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- be either:
- commencing the JQ20 Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence in the July or October 2026 intake, or
- currently enrolled in the JQ20 Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence
- not have previously been in receipt of the scholarship.
Preference will be given to candidates who live within Brisbane/South-East Queensland.
How to apply
To be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application online by Friday, 31 July 2026.
Your application should also include the following attachments:
- a copy of your current QUT academic transcript (if available), or any previous academic transcripts or academic records from other institutions
- a copy of your resume / curriculum vitae (CV)
- a written submission (150 - 300 words per question) addressing the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself and your professional attributes, values, and leadership qualities. Explain how you can use these attributes and qualities to contribute to the field of investigations and intelligence.
- Explain how your studies will help you achieve your future career aspirations.
- Tell us why you are interested in studying the JQ20 Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence, and explain your intentions for studying and working in the field of investigations and intelligence.
Applicants may also attach a letter from their employer supporting their undertaking of the JQ20 Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence and their scholarship application.
What happens next?
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the selection panel and will be required to supply evidence to support the claims made.
It is usual for scholarship selection interviews to be undertaken at QUT; however, interviews may be held off site by mutual agreement of the parties.
Conditions
About the scholarship
With the introduction of QUT’s new Graduate Certificate in Investigations and Intelligence in 2024, McGrathNicol are eager to support new students entering the field of investigations who come from diverse backgrounds, and with a particular focus on supporting Indigenous Australian students.
Investigators and intelligence analysts are vital to ensure proper investigation of issues and to develop strategies and solutions that resolve public and private sector issues such as non-compliance to regulations, fraud, scams, and breaches of legislation. As the demand for professionals in investigations and intelligence fields increases, so too does the need for such professions to be inclusive and representative of the communities in which they operate.
McGrathNicol wishes to support QUT in its efforts to attract, retain, support and develop Indigenous Australian talent, thereby creating inclusive environments that empower a strong, supportive and diverse community.
McGrathNicol also recognises that financial challenges faced by many Indigenous Australian students when undertaking further study. This scholarship opportunity seeks to dismantle such barriers to entry.
Therefore, in the hope of fostering a more inclusive and representative workforce in the investigations and intelligence landscape, especially for Indigenous Australian people, McGrathNicol intends to establish the McGrathNicol Indigenous Scholarship in Investigations and Intelligence.