James Stewart Bequest (HDR)

The James Stewart Bequest (HDR) scholarship is a foundation scholarship offered by Federation University Australia to support Higher Degree by Research students conducting research in specific areas related to the life and work of Dr James Stewart. Irish physician, surgeon and philanthropist Dr James Stewart was a key contributor to the growth of Ballarat during the Australian gold rush where he spent his prime years between 1852 and 1869. He contributed through his medical work on the goldfields and during the events of the Eureka Stockade in 1854, as well as through his civic duty, philanthropy and capitalist investment. He retired in England and left generous bequests to Victorian and Irish institutions when he died in 1906, setting up trusts that would provide income in perpetuity to benefit future generations. This scholarship is available to domestic continuing students undertaking research in the history of Ballarat, Eureka, colonial medicine, the Irish in Australia, philanthropy or geology. The scholarship incorporates the wishes of Stewart's will and supports research in areas relevant to his life that were important to him and in which he made a large and important impact. One scholarship valued at $3,500 is available annually, with applications opening on January 5, 2026 and closing on March 1, 2026.