Defence Women & Non-Binary People in STEM Undergraduate Scholarships
Defence is committed to enhancing diversity across our STEM workforce to ensure we access all parts of the Australian community to meet the challenges of the future.
The Defence Women and Non-Binary people in STEM Undergraduate Scholarships are delivered as part of the Elevate program in partnership with the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). The scholarships are sponsored by the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), the Australian Government's lead agency responsible for applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and its national interests.
Supported by Defence, the program aims to address gender inequities in STEM through fostering more women and non-binary led industry-academia collaborations in applied research and business, growing professional skills of women in STEM and propelling women and non-binary people into leadership.
The program provides:
- A scholarship.
- Access to events and networking.
- Mentoring.
- Ongoing support during scholars' university studies.
- Opportunities to engage with STEM focused areas within Department of Defence.
Applications for the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering Elevate Program: Boosting Women in STEM commencing in 2024 opened on 1 October 2022.
The Elevate program guidelines outline the scholarship opportunity, the eligibility requirements and selection criteria, the process of and time for application consideration, and the expectations of scholars engaging in the program.
More information on the program guidelines can be found here.
2025 Elevate Program
Applications for the Elevate program commencing in 2025 will reopen in early 2024.
Further details will be announced here as well as on the ATSE website.
You can also sign up to the mailing list to be notified when applications reopen.
Alternative modes of submission
ATSE is committed to providing inclusive and equitable access to all potential applicants. If for any reason you are unable to submit written responses to the questions in this application form, ATSE will also accept alternative modes of submission.
Applicants may prefer to create a video, either of themselves or from images or drawings that they compile. Applicants may also submit applications verbally via an interview with a member of the Elevate team.
Applicants must still convey responses to questions as per the application form, as assessors are still required to score applications against a set of three key selection criteria - more information on this can be found below.
To discuss your options for alternative modes of submission, please contact ATSE at ryringr@ngfr.bet.nh or call 02 6185 3240.
Applicants
Applicants are required to meet three eligibility criteria:
- Identify as a woman or non-binary person.
- Be enrolling as a domestic student.
- Be planning to undertake a STEM degree or higher studies to improve business acumen at an Australian university, commencing in 2024.
ATSE encourages applications from individuals who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; individuals from regional, rural or remote areas; LGBTQIA+; individuals from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds; low-socioeconomic backgrounds; or those living with a disability.
Diversity, inclusion, and achievement relative to opportunity will be considered in the assessment and selection process.
