First Nations PhD Scholarship

The SQNNSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and is offering a scholarship for research projects that align with the Future Drought Fund's overarching mission.

The successful applicant’s research project will align with identifying the needs of First Nations Traditional Owner groups and right holders, knowledge sharing around drought responses, resilience to drought and impact of drought on social and emotional wellbeing. The recipient will have an enhanced knowledge of drought and its effects on First Nations communities in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

The SQNNSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub aims to build drought resilience across our communities. Hub Member organisations in which our Nodes are based include:
• Longreach – Remote Area Planning and Development Board
• Roma – Southern Queensland Landscapes
• Stanthorpe – Queensland College of Wine Tourism / University of Southern Queensland
• Narrabri – North West Local Land Services
• Armidale – University of New England
• Lismore – Southern Cross University

Opportunities may exist to connect applicant’s research to other areas within the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales area working with other Hub Partner organisations.

Living stipend of $50 000 per annum + $10 000 per annum operating budget for three years.

To be eligible applicants must:

Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person of Australia
Hold an Honours degree (1st class or 2A honours) from an Australian University, and/or a Master’s degree with significant research component, or equivalent qualifications, in a relevant discipline.
Be eligible to be enrolled full-time, on-campus in the PhD program at UniSQ commencing Semester 2 2022 (11th July 2022)
Not be in receipt of any similar funding or equivalent support from Industry or Research Development Council sources

Alignment with the SQNNSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub’s mission
PhD that demonstrates a cross-sectoral and innovative research project that has potential to build drought resilience within farming systems, industries, or communities within southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales
Projects will be chosen where there is significant public good value to be gained from improving community and industry participation.

To apply, please include digital copies of the following information:

Curriculum vitae
Preliminary Thesis Topic Proposal (maximum 6 pages)
Proof of Heritage
Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards)
A proposed budget outlining how funds will be spent
A proposed timeline for completion

Please email application to sqnnswhub@unisq.edu.au with the subject line: “First Nations PhD Scholarship Application”.

Further information may be obtained by emailing Professor Celmara Pocock via Celmara.Pocock@unisq.edu.au

Closing Date: 27 May 2022