About this scholarship
The scholarship reflects ACU’s commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators. This scholarship supports Indigenous students who are passionate about creating impact through innovation, leadership, and knowledge. It empowers recipients to pursue STEM qualifications that can drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
The scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and promote equitable access to university by assisting with essential education-related expenses such as textbooks, study materials, technology, and other academic resources.
Scholarship type
Equity
Value
- This scholarship is valued at $3,000, to be paid in one lump sum
- There are up to five scholarships available.
Student type
Future or Commencing Students
Eligibility
This scholarship is open to applicants who meet all the following criteria:
- Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students (Confirmation of Aboriginality will be required)
- Study load: full-time enrolment in Semester 1, 2026
- Course: Bachelor of Computer Science/Master of Data Science
- Campus: North Sydney
- Financial hardship and/or hardships or barriers faced in accessing higher education
- Commitment to community service
- Applicants cannot be in receipt of the NextGen Women in STEM Pathways Scholarship
Application process
Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application:
- A written statement* of approximately 300 words outlining:
- any hardship or barriers** you have faced in accessing higher education
- how this scholarship will assist you
- how you engage with your local community and how this reflects the mission and values of ACU.
- Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status (for more information on this requirement please visit COA)
- Evidence to support hardships or barriers outlined in written statement. This may include a statement from a medical professional, statutory declaration, or other relevant document. Evidence of financial hardship may include:
- most recent Tax Assessment Notice; or
- Centrelink Income Statement; or
- the most recent 60 days of bank transactions AND pay slips from the last 6 weeks
* Statements are assessed on content, not language skills. If you access assistance from advisors, tutors or AI technology to complete your personal statement, please ensure that your submission accurately reflects your personal situation with regards to the criteria.
** Hardships or barriers may include but are not limited to financial disadvantage, living in a regional, rural or remote area, single parent background, ongoing medical conditions, non-English speaking background, first in family to attend university, social, cultural disadvantage or adjusting to life in Australia as a refugee.
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed based on the strength of the following criteria:
- Written statement
- Demonstrated financial need and/or demonstrated hardships or barriers faced in accessing higher education.
- Evidence supporting the responses to application questions.
Selection process
The recipients will be selected by the ACU Scholarships Office in consultation with the Office of the Provost.
Other
Recipients may be contacted by ACU to ask if they are interested in participating in the marketing of the scholarship. Participation is optional.
Indigenous Code and Data Scholarship
About this scholarship
The scholarship reflects ACU’s commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators. This scholarship supports Indigenous students who are passionate about creating impact through innovation, leadership, and knowledge. It empowers recipients to pursue STEM qualifications that can drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
The scholarship aims to reduce financial barriers and promote equitable access to university by assisting with essential education-related expenses such as textbooks, study materials, technology, and other academic resources.
Scholarship type
Equity
Value
- This scholarship is valued at $3,000, to be paid in one lump sum
- There are up to five scholarships available.
Student type
Future or Commencing Students
Eligibility
This scholarship is open to applicants who meet all the following criteria:
- Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students (Confirmation of Aboriginality will be required)
- Study load: full-time enrolment in Semester 1, 2026
- Course: Bachelor of Computer Science/Master of Data Science
- Campus: North Sydney
- Financial hardship and/or hardships or barriers faced in accessing higher education
- Commitment to community service
- Applicants cannot be in receipt of the NextGen Women in STEM Pathways Scholarship
Application process
Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application:
- A written statement* of approximately 300 words outlining:
- any hardship or barriers** you have faced in accessing higher education
- how this scholarship will assist you
- how you engage with your local community and how this reflects the mission and values of ACU.
- Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status (for more information on this requirement please visit COA)
- Evidence to support hardships or barriers outlined in written statement. This may include a statement from a medical professional, statutory declaration, or other relevant document. Evidence of financial hardship may include:
- most recent Tax Assessment Notice; or
- Centrelink Income Statement; or
- the most recent 60 days of bank transactions AND pay slips from the last 6 weeks
* Statements are assessed on content, not language skills. If you access assistance from advisors, tutors or AI technology to complete your personal statement, please ensure that your submission accurately reflects your personal situation with regards to the criteria.
** Hardships or barriers may include but are not limited to financial disadvantage, living in a regional, rural or remote area, single parent background, ongoing medical conditions, non-English speaking background, first in family to attend university, social, cultural disadvantage or adjusting to life in Australia as a refugee.
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed based on the strength of the following criteria:
- Written statement
- Demonstrated financial need and/or demonstrated hardships or barriers faced in accessing higher education.
- Evidence supporting the responses to application questions.
Selection process
The recipients will be selected by the ACU Scholarships Office in consultation with the Office of the Provost.
Other
Recipients may be contacted by ACU to ask if they are interested in participating in the marketing of the scholarship. Participation is optional.