First Nations Cancer Scholarship

The First Nations Cancer Scholarship Program is funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia. Established by the Aurora Education Foundation and Cancer Australia, the scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, health professionals, and early-career researchers to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research in a cancer-related field. The purpose of the scholarship is to support Indigenous scholars in building the skills and knowledge required to inform strategies to improve cancer outcomes for Indigenous communities and increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in cancer-related fields. The scholarship provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students, early-career researchers, and professionals access to funds to support their full-time studies or research at recognised universities or institutes in Australia, the US or UK. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but less than 1% of health professionals identify as Indigenous. This scholarship aims to address this critical gap. Each scholarship is valued at up to $120,000 AUD per year for up to three years. Recipients also have access to up to $5,000 AUD per year in tailored academic and wellbeing support. In addition, Aurora facilitates community and network-building opportunities for individuals and the scholarship cohort. The scholarship may be used for university fees, research equipment, accommodation, travel, textbooks, computer hardware, living expenses, and access to academic, health and wellbeing services. Scholars receive scaffolded personal, social, academic and wellbeing support, including individual support from Aurora's Pathways Scholarship team, academic and wellbeing support from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mentors with postgraduate experience, and community support through connection with other scholars and Aurora's Alumni network.