About the scholarships

The scholarships are administered by the Aurora Project and funded by:

• Rio Tinto plc (RT)
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
• The Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP).

The 2005 Report identified problems with the recruitment and retention of lawyers to the native title system and in particular to NTRBs. Both the Aurora Native Title Internship Program and the Australian Government - Rio Tinto NTRB Scholarships are contributing to improved recruitment and retention at NTRBs. Initially funded by Rio Tinto, in 2009 the scholarships were renamed the Australian Government - Rio Tinto NTRB Scholarships in recognition of funding provided by the government.

Structure of the Masters of Law program

The Master of Laws (LLM) in Mineral Law and Policy provides students with:

• knowledge of the current legal, policy and economic issues and challenges in mineral resources investment and development
• a comparison of national laws, regulations and contractual arrangements that currently govern the exploitation of mineral resources
• the opportunity to develop sophisticated legal and policy approaches to mineral resource management and sustainable development within the industry
• the skills required to advise the various stakeholders that participate in the industry.

The core subjects cover:

• both the substantive law relating to mining practice and the international and local context of the industry
• the relationships and conflicts between those who are most affected by mining law and policy - mining companies, the state, indigenous peoples, landowners and the local community.

Program requirements include:

• the three core subjects
• elective subjects to specialisation in human rights, investment law, environmental law and project analysis and mining finance.
• a dissertation, PhD proposal or an industry internship.

Program duration:

• Study commences in September for one year of full time study, made up of three terms.
• An internship either at Rio Tinto or with one of its outside counsel during the August holiday period (with some flexibility around timeframe) may be possible depending on exams, coursework and other research commitments.

For more information about the LLM program please visit the University of Dundee's website.

What costs does the scholarship cover?

The total value of the scholarship is A$42,502 paid in British Pounds (as at Dec 2011):

• Living allowance is paid to each scholar directly into their bank account, monthly in arrears with the first payment by the end of September. Payments will stop if the scholar chooses to return home before the 12 months study period is complete.
• Arrival allowance will be transferred directly to the scholar’s bank accounts by the end of September.
• Thesis allowance will be transferred directly to the scholar’s bank account by the end of April.

FaHCSIA provides an additional A$15,000 towards the living expenses of those recipients of the scholarship who are working in an NTRB at the time they receive the scholarship.

What conditions apply to the scholarships?

Scholarship recipients must agree to:

• work for a minimum of two years at an NTRB providing mining and resources-related legal advice to native title claimants in Australia following graduation from the LLM program. This work may be as an employee of one or more NTRBs, or another entity involved in advising traditional owners.

Who can apply?

To apply for a scholarship candidates must:

• be Australian citizens or permanent residents, and normally reside in Australia
• have successfully completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at an Australian tertiary institution by close of semester one of the year that they are applying for the scholarship
• be prepared to make a legally binding commitment to provide mining and resources- related legal advice to native title claimants in Australia, for a minimum of two years, within the NTRB system.

There are no age restrictions for applicants.

Alumni network

Participation in the scholarship program links you to Aurora’s extensive alumni network.  As an alumnus, you will receive emails inviting you to events and directing you to check employment opportunities in the area of native title, policy development and Indigenous affairs at the job network on this website.