About the Native Title Research Scholarship

In 2008, the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) conducted a review of funding for the native title system to identify blockages and reallocate funds to target priority areas of need. The review found a shortage of experienced research staff, including anthropologists and historians, working in native title and a difficulty attracting and retaining junior professionals.

In response, the government launched the Native Title Research Scholarship Program in 2010.

Conditions of the scholarship program:

• Available for full-time study only - with a maximum funding period of one year for a Masters by coursework, two years for a Masters by research and four years for a PhD.
• Funding provided by the scholarship is not fixed. It will depend on the tuition fees that apply for the university and the program undertaken.
• Scholarships are only offered in the year following the expiry of the tenure of the previous recipient. A maximum of three scholarships would run at any point in time and of these two may be PhD scholarships.

What costs does the scholarship cover?

• Tuition costs for degrees by research (both Masters and PhDs) are generally offered under a HECS exemption through the Australian Government’s Research Training Scheme (RTS)
• The scholarship meets the cost of tuition fees for Masters by coursework
• A stipend (equivalent to the Australian Postgraduate Award – the award for 2012 is $23,728, net of tax or $26,387 gross) will be provided for the fixed period of each degree program (maximum four years) for prospective PhD and Masters candidates for 2012.

Who can apply?

Scholarships are available for:

• research staff with at least two years experience working in NTRBs.
• candidates who have secured their enrolment and/or supervision (where relevant) in their nominated degree program before applying for a scholarship.
• candidates who provide proof of enrolment prior to the advertised deadline. If proof of acceptance is not provided in time, the scholarship offer may be rescinded and the scholarship offered to the next highest ranking candidate.
• study in a postgraduate program at an Australian institution of the candidate’s choice to allow them to collaborate with a suitable supervisor who should be highly experienced in native title.
• study in native title related areas and preferably in the discipline of anthropology or history. Other related disciplines may be possible, subject to approval.
• candidates who have the express support of their NTRB by providing a reference letter from the Head of Research at their NTRB.
• Australian citizens and permanent residents.

What conditions apply to scholarships?

Scholarship recipients must agree to:

• work for a minimum of two years at an NTRB or in the native title system in a research role following the completion of a Masters program.
• work for a minimum of three years at an NTRB or in the native title system in a research role following the completion of a PhD.
• repay FaHCSIA any funds they receive from the scholarship if they do not complete the full program in the time frame agreed.