Scholarship details
Study levels
Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research
Student type
Future students and Current students
Study area
All study areas
Eligibility criteria
Indigenous Australian
Citizenship
Australian
Application dates
- Applications open
- 19 January 2026
- Applications close
- 22 March 2026
What you'll receive
The Oodgeroo Noonuccal Scholarship Program consists of two scholarships:
- undergraduate scholarship:
- $7,500 to be offered annually to an Indigenous Australian who is, or will be, enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in 2026
- postgraduate scholarship:
- $10,000 to be offered annually to an Indigenous Australian in any QUT faculty or school who is, or will be, enrolled in either a graduate diploma or a master degree. The master degree program may be either a coursework or research degree in 2026.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or New Zealand citizen
- be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
- have not received this scholarship before
- have been accepted and/or enrolled full-time in an undergraduate course for Semester 1, 2026 (for the undergraduate scholarship)
- have been accepted or enrolled in either a part-time or full-time postgraduate course for Semester 1, 2026 (for the postgraduate scholarship)
- not be in the final semester of your studies.
How to apply
To apply for this scholarship, you will need to complete and submit the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Undergraduate and Postgraduate scholarship application form by Sunday 22 March 2026.
Your application should also include the following attachments:
- your current QUT academic transcript (if available), or any previous academic transcripts or academic records from other institutions
- two written referee statements (academic and from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person)
- a written submission (150-300 words per question) addressing:
- share your story by explaining how your connection to mob and culture has shaped your personal attributes and values. Describe how you have used these qualities to demonstrate leadership and support others in creating a positive impact
- explain what interests or experiences motivated you to choose your current course of study. Discuss how completing this course will contribute to your future career aspirations
- describe a circumstance where you have shown resilience, determination, or adaptability in your educational journey. Explain how receiving this scholarship would support you to stay focused on your study goals
- reflect on Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s life and legacy as a leader, storyteller, and advocate. Share what inspires and motivates you most about her, and how you see yourself creating a positive impact in your community.
How to get the most out of your application
- Poor spelling or grammar reflects a rushed and inadequately written application. Type your answers into a Word document to check for spelling and grammar before submitting answers into each response field.
- Remember there's a maximum of 300 words per question. Be informative, clear and concise to provide answers that stand out from other applicants.
- Check the terms and conditions to ensure you are following all necessary steps and supplying all the relevant information required for the scholarship.
What happens next?
We will assess your application based on merit, community involvement, and the extent to which your studies relate to the life and work of Oodgeroo Noonuccal.
Conditions
Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship
Conditions for keeping the scholarship for both undergraduate and postgraduate students include:
- maintain a 4.0 grade point average
- maintain active engagement and communication with the Oodgeroo Unit, QUT
- attend the official scholarships presentation ceremony
- give consent to photographs being taken for the purposes of promotional activities and other events, including media, webpage/s by the Oodgeroo Unit, QUT and QIC Limited
- commence studies in the semester in which the scholarship has been awarded.
In addition to fulfilling their study program, the scholarship recipient should note their responsibilities include:
- notifying the Oodgeroo Unit, QUT immediately of any change in enrolment status, unsuccessful completion of a semester, deferral or withdrawal from a course or study program
- providing feedback to the Oodgeroo Unit, QUT if requested.
About the scholarship
In recognition of a lifetime commitment to Indigenous Australians and her outstanding contributions to Australian literature, Oodgeroo Noonuccal was awarded three honorary doctorates by Australian universities.
She received two honorary doctorate awards for her contribution to Australian literature - a Doctorate of Letters from Macquarie University and a Doctor of the University from Griffith University.
In 1992, Oodgeroo received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Education Queensland University of Technology for both her contribution to literature and in recognition of her work in the field of education.
This scholarship is an ongoing acknowledgment of these lifetime achievements.
Contact us
Scholarship Team
- Phone
- 3138 7624
- scholarships@qut.edu.au
- Website
- https://www.qut.edu.au/scholarships
Testimonials
Unlocking your potential
Maddie Clausen, Undergraduate Oodgeroo Noonuccal Scholarship recipient 2023, Jagera and Bundjalung‘This scholarship has not only allowed me to unlock my full potential here at QUT as I drive towards my dream career as a primary school teacher but has also given me the opportunity to connect and speak about the great and courageous women who this scholarship is in honour of, Oodgeroo Noonuccal.’
