Empowering women in STEM: HunterWiSE and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group launch new scholarship initiative

In 2024, Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG), a leading industry advocate for gender diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, will proudly strengthen its collaboration with HunterWiSE to offer scholarships for University of Newcastle students.

Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) has supported the HunterWiSE Schools Outreach Program since 2019, providing opportunities for more than 90 high school students in the Newcastle region to gain hands-on experiences and opportunities in STEM. For the next three years, NCIG will extend this support to fund new scholarships for female students in their second or subsequent year of a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).

"We're very proud of the role we play in supporting HunterWiSE Outreach," says an NCIG spokesperson. "Partnering with HunterWiSE to offer these scholarships is another way to actively support women in our community to pursue STEM education. This is an investment in a future workforce that is more diverse, inclusive, and well-placed to meet the demands of our region.”

At a value of $8,000 per student per year, the financial support provided by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's HunterWiSE Scholarship for Women in STEM is a means to alleviate some the financial burden of study.

“We recognise that there are many barriers to the full and equal participation of women in STEM. HunterWiSE encourages the participation of women and girls in STEM through our outreach work, and events for our professional network. Scholarships are an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment at a crucial point in the STEM pipeline”, says HunterWiSE co-founder Professor Sarah Johnson.

“We see the potential in these women who are pursing STEM degrees, and their determination in overcoming the barriers they have already faced. We've chosen to target students in their second year or subsequent year of study to demonstrate our ongoing support."

The scholarships will be awarded through a competitive application process, and all eligible students are encouraged to apply. Recipients will be offered opportunities for industry engagement and will be invited to join the Hunter Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship Network to further strengthen their professional relationships and expand career opportunities.

"Partnering with HunterWiSE in this way creates opportunities for greater impact," says the NCIG spokesperson. "Through this scholarship and our ongoing partnership, we hope to engage further with women students in STEM, and demonstrate our support for the next generation of innovators and leaders."

Information about eligibility criteria and application process can be found here. Scholarship applications close 24 February 2024, and recipients will be announced in March.