Scholarship details
Study levels
Undergraduate
Student type
Current students
Study area
Data science, Engineering, Health, Information technology, Science, technology and engineering and mathematics
Eligibility criteria
Academic performance
Citizenship
Australian
Application dates
- Applications open
- 29 September 2026
- Applications close
- 10 December 2026
What you'll receive
Up to 35 Tech Futures Scholarships are awarded every year across six partner universities.
If successful, you will receive:
- $5,000 in fully flexible financial support for your final year of study
- an immersive, nine-month technology leadership experience valued at $15,000, designed specifically for final-year STEM students
- opportunities to learn from researchers, innovators and industry experts, while exploring the role technology can play in shaping Australia's future
- access to the Westpac Scholars Summit and membership to the W100 Scholars Network, a lifelong community of scholars from diverse disciplines, experiences and backgrounds
- automatic membership to QUT's College of Excellence
Scholars will explore how technology, leadership and innovation intersect, while building the networks, perspectives and confidence to navigate what's next.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- have completed secondary education (Year 12 or equivalent) between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024
- in 2027, be enrolled in your final year or honours year of your first undergraduate degree
- be studying in a STEM discipline, including (but not limited to):
- Information technology, computer science, data science
- Software engineering, cyber security, AI or related fields
- Biomedical science, health technology or medical science
- have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 or above
- demonstrate a commitment to a career in technology or tech-enabled impact aligned to one of the Trust’s impact areas:
- Innovation for Impact
- Connected and Stronger Society
- Sustainable Futures
- Asia-Pacific Leadership
- show leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive contribution to Australia’s future
- be available to participate fully in the scholarship and leadership programs, including:
- Westpac Scholars Summit (28-29 April 2027)
- Two Leadership Program Residentials (July and September TBC)
- provide an academic reference (template provided in application)
Please note, current or previous Westpac Scholars are not eligible to apply.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the Westpac Scholars Trust online application system available via this webpage.
Applications are now open for 2027 Westpac Tech Futures Scholarships. Applications close 10 December 2026, 5.00pm AEDT.
What happens next?
We will assess your application against the eligibility criteria and your responses to the application questions.
- Only applications that meet all eligibility criteria will be assessed.
- Top candidates will be shortlisted and invited to attend an interview. The interview panel will be made up of representatives from the Westpac Scholars Trust and QUT.
- Offers will be made to the top ranked candidates following interviews.
The scholarship application process is highly competitive with a limited number of scholarships available. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants will be offered an interview or receive a scholarship.
Key dates:
- Information session webinar: 3.30pm - 4.30pm AEDT, Wednesday 21 October 2026. Register here.
- 2027 applications close: 5pm AEDT, 10 December 2026
- Shortlisting: December 2026 - January 2027
- Finalist interviews: First two weeks of February 2027
- Notification of outcome: Late February 2027
Conditions
To keep your scholarship, you must:
- be enrolled in an eligible degree and discipline at QUT for the duration of the scholarship
- maintain a course grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 higher
You can't:
- defer your scholarship offer
- hold any other scholarship except an Equity Scholarship. If you have any questions about holding other scholarships, contact scholarships@qut.edu.au
About the scholarship
The Westpac Tech Futures Scholarship is an immersive technology leadership experience for outstanding final-year STEM students who are curious about the future and motivated to make a positive contribution through technology.
Westpac believes that Australia’s future will be shaped not only by advances in technology, but by the people making decisions about how technology is used. The scholarship is designed to help emerging STEM leaders develop the judgment, self-awareness, adaptability and leadership capability needed to contribute responsibly and effectively in a rapidly changing world.
For more than a decade, the Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship supported students at the beginning of their university journey. The Westpac Tech Futures Scholarship builds on that legacy, supporting students at a different moment: as they prepare to take their next step beyond university. It is designed for students whose technical capability is already established and who are ready to develop the leadership skills, networks and perspectives needed to help shape Australia’s future through technology.
Testimonials
Kanu's scholarship story
2017 Westpac Young Technologist Kanu Agarwal studied a double degree in mathematics and computer science at QUT. She now works as an Associate Data Scientist at Westpac and is driven to encourage more women and girls to pursue careers in STEM.
