M&E MacDonald Development Studies Scholarship

Applications open
Amount

$22,500

Number available

1

Closing date

23 August 2026

Apply for this scholarship

Scholarship details

Donor

The MacDonald family

Establishment

The M&E MacDonald Development Studies Scholarship is established to support undergraduate or Honours students with ambition to make a positive difference in our world. Ambition to apply their studies to shaping human and social futures in the local, national or global arena. Human and social challenges such as poverty, inequality, political instability, environmental sustainability or community and social development.

Recognising some students face additional challenges or disadvantages in pursuing their ambition, this scholarship provides assistance to students within the Development Studies program with financial challenges, regional or remote disadvantage, or who may be experiencing other personal circumstances impacting study.

The donors for this scholarship value supporting students who are committed to transform their own lives, and after graduation transforming the lives of others, by undertaking a Development Studies program at the University of Newcastle.

Applicable to academic achievement, equity, financial disadvantage, disability, regional and remote, domestic and international students.

Eligibility

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

  • Be enrolled in any year of the Bachelor of Development Studies, including Honours, with University of Newcastle.
  • Be intending to study on a full-time basis (minimum 60 units per year).
  • Have an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent of 75 or higher for commencing students, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 for continuing 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.
  • Not have previously received this scholarship.
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.
  • This scholarship is open to both domestic (Australian/New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents) and international students.

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

This scholarship provides a total benefit of up to $22,500 up to a maximum 3-year tenure, provided ongoing eligibility is met. The scholarship provides $7,500 annually, paid as $3,750 in each semester.

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 and any required supporting documents, with reference to the eligibility criteria.

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