Applications open
Amount

$5,000

Number available

1

Closing date

08 February 2026

Scholarship details

Donor

Friends of the University

Establishment

The Friends of the University were established in 1981 to foster an awareness of the university and its place in the community, and to conduct activities including fundraising that promote the interests of the university. Since that time, via their biennial book fair, the Friends have raised over $1,000,000 and contributed towards scholarships, art works, music, rare books, infrastructure and more.

The Friends of the University have a wonderfully long history with the university, and it is through their continued fundraising efforts and their belief in wanting to provide students with opportunities for financial support that the Friends fund a whole suite of scholarships across the various areas of the University of Newcastle.

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions.

Applicable to equity, financial disadvantage, disability, regional and remote.


Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

  • Be enrolled any year of an undergraduate degree program that has a focus on Environmental Sustainability within a STEM degree in the College of Engineering, Science and Environment.
  • Be intending to study on a full-time basis (minimum 60 units per year).
  • Demonstrate academic progress by the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent required for entry for commencing students, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 for continuing students (evidence not required for current UON students).
  • Demonstrate the impact of educational disadvantage such as carer and sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, a long-term medical condition or disability, the ongoing effects of abuse, regional/remote disadvantage, or applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident (including holders of a permanent humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens with permanent residency).
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

Required Documentation

Required documents will be listed on the ‘Your Documents’ page of your application. The application portal accepts PDF only. A maximum of 3 PDF smaller than 5 MB can be added per document type upload field.

  • A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.
  • You may be required to provide documents to support your educational challenges and personal circumstances. These will be identified when you apply based on your individual application responses.

Benefit

The scholarship provides a lump sum payment of $5,000.

Payments are typically received 2–3 weeks after the semester census date, or 2–3 weeks after you accept your offer if the census date has already passed.


Selection

Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship application with reference to the eligibility criteria and assessment of educational disadvantage

Selection will be made by the Scholarships Officer with consideration of, in order:

  • All eligibility criteria for the scholarship being met; and
  • Demonstrated educational disadvantage.
  • Academic merit may be considered.

    All applicants will be notified of an outcome via email. This will occur within 6 weeks of the scholarship application closing date.


    College

    College of Engineering Science and Environment


    Contact Details

    Scholarships
    Student and Academic Services
    University of Newcastle
    University Drive
    CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

    Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
    Email: scholarships@newcastle.edu.au