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.
From 2024, the Defence Women and Non-Binary people in STEM Undergraduate Scholarships are now delivered in partnership with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) as part of their Elevate: Boosting diversity in STEM program. 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 Elevate program aims to address inequities in STEM through comprehensive scholarships enabling more diverse women and non-binary people to access tertiary STEM education, professional skills development and STEM leadership opportunities with industry and academia.
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. The 2026 Elevate program guidelines and FAQs are available for review on the Elevate Website.
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.
The Elevate program guidelines outline the scholarship opportunity, the eligibility requirements and selection criteria, the process of and timeline for application consideration, and the expectations of scholars engaging in the program.
More information on the program guidelines can be found here.
2026 Elevate Program
Applications for the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering Elevate Program: Boosting diversity in STEM commencing in 2026 opened on May 1 2025.
If you are interested in receiving updates about the program for this year, or for future years, you can sign up to the mailing list.
Applicants are required to meet all three eligibility criteria:
- Identify as a woman or non-binary person
- Be enrolling as a domestic student at an Australian University
- Be planning to undertake a STEM degree OR higher studies to improve business acumen (leadership category only), commencing in 2026
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 nccyvpngvbaf@ngfr.bet.nh or call 02 6185 3240.
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.
