Awards, prizes and scholarships

We are committed to recognising and supporting the academic achievement of students – and inspiring them to excel and make an impact in the world – with some of the most generous awards, prizes and scholarships in Australia.

Awards, prizes and scholarships

Have you been offered a scholarship?

We've collected everything you need to know about accepting it, including terms and conditions, receiving payments and frequently asked questions.

Accepting an award, prize or scholarship

Meet some of our recipients

Nicole Thomson

PhD Science 
Recipient of the 2023 Dame Margaret Blackwood Soroptimist Scholarship

"The 2023 Dame Margaret Blackwood Soroptimist Award has had a profound impact on my academic journey, providing not only financial security but also enabling opportunities that significantly contribute to my overall growth and success. The financial stability afforded by this prestigious award has relieved me of the need to work while pursuing my studies full-time, allowing me to channel all my energy and focus into my research."

Shenali Fernando

Master of Science 
Recipient of the 2023 Klemperer-Ducker Scholarship

"I have always been fascinated by the natural world, especially our native plants and ecosystems. The University of Melbourne has supported my interest, and I have had the pleasure to learn from many wonderful and talented staff along the way. Receiving this award means a lot to me. It gives me not only the financial support I need to pursue my studies to the best of my abilities, but also the motivation to continue working in this field to hopefully make a contribution to it someday."

Claire Kenefick

PhD Science 
Recipient of the 2023 Dr Betty Elliott Horticulture Scholarship

"This scholarship will allow me to conduct a field experiment to understand the minimum depth of crushed concrete growing media required to support healthy plant growth. Without this funding, I could not conduct this experiment that will allow us to make naturalistic plantings more sustainable."

Teza Mwamulima

PhD Science
Recipient of the 2023 Yvonne Aitken Bursary

"It is an honour to have been selected to receive this bursary. This award means a lot because it will help me cover some of the unintended costs incurred especially during my field work. My time at the University of Melbourne has been so rewarding, thanks to the supportive working environment and highly qualified staff that any researcher would ever wish for. Thanks once more and I hope that you will continue to offer this scholarship to well deserving students."

Giving to science

Most of our scholarships are supported by generous benefactors. For more about supporting student awards and scholarships, visit our Giving to Science page.

Do you have questions or need support?

  • For enquiries about your application, or if you are a current scholarship recipient, contact the Science Awards team.
  • For general information about Faculty of Science student awards, prizes and scholarships, submit an enquiry.