First Nations Cancer Scholarship

A new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer.
 
The First Nations Cancer Scholarship Program is funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Established by the Aurora Education Foundation and Cancer Australia, the First Nations Cancer Scholarship (Scholarship) will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, health professionals, and early-career researchers (ECRs) to undertake full-time postgraduate study (graduate certificate, masters or PhD) or research in a cancer-related field. The purpose of the Scholarship is to support Scholars in building the skills and knowledge required to inform strategies to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous communities and increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer-related fields.
 
The Scholarship provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, ECRs and professionals access to funds to support their full-time studies or research at recognised universities or institutes in Australia, the US or UK.
 
Up to four scholarships will be awarded yearly from 2024 to 2026. Administered by Aurora, each scholarship is valued at up to $120, 000 AUD per year, for up to three years. Recipients will also have assess to up to $5,000 AUD per year in tailored academic and wellbeing support. In addition, Aurora will facilitate community and network-building opportunities for individuals and the scholarship cohort.
 
Please note that if awarded the Scholarship, you will not need to re-apply each year. 

This scholarship is for:

Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Only

Areas of study:
Details not available.
At Institution:
Details not available.
Study Level:
  • Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate
  • Mid-Career Research
  • Postdoctoral
  • Postgraduate Coursework
  • Postgraduate Research
Study Load:
Full Time
Location:
Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this scholarship, an applicant must:
- Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived;
- Provide written confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity from an incorporated Indigenous organisation or Land Council;
- Provide written confirmation of full-time enrolment in a postgraduate course (graduate certificate, masters or PhD) at a recognised university in Australia, the US or the UK OR provide written confirmation from a recognised research institute;
- Must be undertaking full-time graduate study or research in a cancer-related field in health, research and policy. A list of applicable fields is provided under Further Information;
- Provide a budget outlining how the Scholarship funds will be used. The budget must also outline all additional funding and income;
- Be able to demonstrate how the graduate study or research will impact Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in improving cancer-related outcomes and;
- Be able to demonstrate an aspiration towards employment or continued employment in a cancer-related field. 
 
Examples of potential eligible study situations:
  • Jennifer is interested in completing a Master of Health Promotion at Monash University. She is committed to working for her local AMS to lead smoking cessation initiatives in schools and communities;
  • TJ is a registered nurse who wants to develop their skills to better support those impacted by cancer. TJ would like to complete a Graduate Diploma in Cancer and Hematology Nursing at the University of Sydney;
  • Natalie is an early career researcher who requires funding to support her while exploring targeted therapies for paediatric brain cancer at a leading research institute.
  • Ben is a PhD student developing a community-centered model of care for mob who need to travel to remote communities to receive cancer treatment. Ben requires support to undertake additional field trips and attend conferences.
  • Liz wants to complete a Master of Creative Arts Therapy at Murdoch University. Liz is committed to expanding her skills to work effectively with adults, youth and families impacted by cancer. 
If you would like more information or are uncertain if your course is eligible, please contact the Scholarships team at scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au.
How to Apply

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:

    • How you identify with the Aboriginal and 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;

    • A description of the graduate course or research including key focus areas;

    • How undertaking the study or research will impact Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in improving cancer-related outcomes;

    • The skills and/or knowledge you will develop by completing the study or research and;

    • Your aspiration to pursue and/or continue a career in a cancer-related field.

  • Written confirmation of full-time enrolment from the relevant university and/or institution. Alternatively, written confirmation of application and/or research proposal submitted to the relevant university and/or institution;

  • Current Curriculum Vitae (CV);

  • A high-resolution corporate headshot in jpeg format;

  • A copy of your most up-to-date official academic transcript;

  • A budget outlining how Scholarship funds will be used (there is a downloadable template within the application form);

  • Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity through a signed statement from an incorporated Indigenous organisation or Land Council;

  • One written reference from an Elder or a senior member of your community to highlight your connection to community and;

  • If undertaking graduate study or research, either:

    • Two written academic references highlighting your capabilities and the benefits of completing the study or research; OR;

    • One academic and one professional written reference highlighting your capabilities and the benefits of completing the study or research.

Ensure all references are emailed by the referee directly to scholarships@aurorafoundation.com.au
Further Information

Study areas may include, but are not limited to:
 
Clinical and Allied Health fields including:

  • Oncology

  • Radiology

  • General surgery

  • Genetics

  • Immunotherapy

  • Pain management

  • Reconstruction

  • Haematology

  • Pathology

  • Nursing

  • Palliative care

  • Life after treatment

  • Cultural care and support

  • Health services research

  • Music and art therapy

  • Nutrition and dietetics

  • Occupational therapy

  • Social work, including individual and family

  • Physiotherapy and exercise physiology

  • Psychiatry

  • Care coordination

  • Cancer survivorship

  • Gynecology 

  • Neurology

  • Endocrinology

  • Lymphoedema

  • Audiology

  • Prosthetics and orthotics
    Policy fields including: 

  • Public health

  • Design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, regulation

  • Education

  • Economics

  • Health promotion and

  • Health leadership and management
    Research fields including:

  • Social and cultural determinants of cancer

  • Social and emotional wellbeing

  • Laboratory research

  • Clinical research studies

  • Program design, administration, monitoring and evaluation

  • Environmental

  • Biology

  • Genomics

  • Genetics

  • Causes of cancer, prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis, cancer treatment and/or health disparities. 

$120000 approx. total
3 Years
4 scholarships offered
Closed
Open: 16/06/2025
Close: 12/09/2025