Bursaries
2021 BURSARY APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN 12 APRIL 2021.
In conjunction with our Bursary partners, bursaries are awarded annually across a wide range of criteria.
Make a Bursary Enquiry
If you would like to discuss bursaries with us, please send our an enquiry.
About the Bursary Program
NCWQ Bursary Recipients demonstrate qualities of leadership; community service; perseverance; and determination, often despite life’s obstacles, to follow their personal and professional passions.
PLEASE NOTE!
The timeline for 2021 is:
- Monday 12 April:-Applications will open
- Monday 2 June:– Applications will close
As the downloading of application forms and their submission are all done electronically, the Coronavirus restrictions will not affect the bursary program.
For any queries, please contact:
Kathy Cavanagh
Bursary Program Coordinator
bursaries@ncwq.org.au
NCWQ holds an annual bursary fund-raising morning tea and fashion parade to help raise funds for the NCWQ-sponsored bursaries.
Bursary FAQs
NCWQ Bursaries are awarded to the successful Queensland female student applicants for one of the range of bursaries on offer each year. The Bursary Listing details the specific criteria for each bursary on offer.
Since the Bursary Program commenced in 2009, over 200 bursaries have been offered
The timeline for the 2021 Bursary Program is:
- Monday 12 April 2021 – Applications open.
- Monday 2 June 2021 – Applications close. Applications submitted or post-marked after that date will not be considered.
- Thursday 24 June 2021 – Bursary Fundraising Morning Tea.
- Monday 12 July 2021 – All applicants will be advised of the selection panel’s decision after 12 July 2021. Please note that no correspondence will be entered into for feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
- Tuesday 3 August 2021 – The Presentation of the bursaries is in Brisbane. (In accordance with any Coronavirus restrictions at that time.) We welcome the attendance of the successful recipient of each bursary to this function, where there will be the opportunity to accept the bursary from the sponsor.
Applications open on Monday 12 April 2021. Further details will be available closer to that time.
Each bursary has its own criteria. To find out more about the specific criteria, contact the Bursary Program Coordinator, Kathy Cavanagh, on 0407 117 378 or bursaries@ncwq.org.au
Full details of each of the bursaries on offer in 2021 will be available on this website12 April 2021.
We always welcome bursary partners. Please contact our Bursaries Coordinator, Kathy Cavanagh Ph: 0407 117 378 or Email: bursaries@ncwq.org.au

What Previous Bursary Award Recipients Say...

"Being a bursary recipient has not only given me financial support but also provided me a great networking opportunity and allowed me to return my confident, self-esteem to continue my journey."

"I am most grateful to have received, in 2017, the Elements Living Bursary, sponsored by Chiou See Anderson, and the Forum Communicators bursary in 2018"

"Being a bursary recipient has given me the confidence to extend myself further. It has not only supported my academic studies, but it helped my work as performing artist."

2020 Bursary Program (CLOSED)
The NCWQ 2020 Bursary Program is now CLOSED!
- Monday 27 April – Applications open CLOSED
- Monday 1 June – Applications close CLOSED
- Tuesday 4 August – Presentation event
List of 2020 Bursaries
Overview
Demonstrated commitment to the needs of special education students.
Eligibility Criteria
- A female mature-aged (over 25), student enrolled in a course to become a special education teacher.
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated community involvement in empowering others
Eligibility Criteria
A female student, aged between 16-24 years, living in the Brisbane City Council area, enrolled in high school or tertiary studies, and identifying with the LGBTIQ community
An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated involvement in your home community and in your present study context
Eligibility Criteria
- A female first year, full-time student in a tertiary course, such as at university, TAFE, the Conservatorium of Music
- A constituent of the Maranoa electorate, Queensland although you may have relocated for your studies
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated previous achievements in your studies
Demonstrated community involvement
Eligibility Criteria
- A female over 16 years of age
- Diagnosed with a mental illness
- A student in a post-secondary school education program or recognised course
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated commitment to leadership through active participation in a group with the aim of improving the lives of seniors
Eligibility Criteria
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia
- A female, under the age of 25
- Enrolled in full-time studies or commencing full-time studies within 6 months of application
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Current involvement with school and local community, planning to commence an education degree in 2020
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in Year 12
- Planning to study teaching on completion of your secondary schooling
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated commitment to leadership through active community participation; reporting to ESA on how the bursary assisted you
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in tertiary studies
- An immediate family member (parent, child, brother or sister) has a cancer diagnosis at the time of applying for the bursary
- Resident of regional or rural Queensland. (Your home is outside the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast)
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated record of achievement in the field of communication and leadership in your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of Queensland enrolled in your first or second year of a tertiary course, such as university or TAFE
- Willing to address Forum members at one of their major functions
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Balance in maintaining your own identity goals with your family responsibilities
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently or have been a stay-at-home Mum
- Now combining full-time or part-time study (either on campus, or by distance/online) at a tertiary institute, TAFE college or other post-secondary course with parenting responsibilities
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Interested in working with children in the Early Years (Birth to Grade 3) focussing on the “whole” child – emotional, physical and educational care
Eligibility Criteria
- A female full-time student beginning at least your second-year studies of Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education), or a Major in Early Childhood Education at a Queensland Tertiary Institution, with the desire to work with children in the Early Years (Birth to Grade 3) and seeking support to assist you in your studies
- Able to indicate why you have chosen to work with children in the Early Years (to Grade 3)
- Residing in Queensland and state that you intend to do so for the foreseeable future.
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated commitment to leadership in your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of Logan City
- Enrolled in full-time tertiary study
- Able to demonstrate commitment to leadership in your local community
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated commitment to leadership in your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of the Moreton Bay Regional Council area
- Enrolled in full-time tertiary study
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Committed to a career in urban design, as shown by an early trailblazer in this field
Eligibility Criteria
- A female, full-time student in a tertiary urban design course, such as architecture, landscape architecture, engineering or social, urban and regional planning
- In at least your third year of study in the urban design field
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Commitment to education and the advancement of women
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in at lest your second year of tertiary studies
- Working towards teaching qualifications to pursue this chosen career
- Have been actively involved in community and/or volunteering activities
- Live in Queensland as an Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Involvement in your local home community and planned involvement at your tertiary institution
Eligibility Criteria
- A female first year, full-time student in a tertiary course, such as at university, TAFE or the Conservatorium of Music
- A resident of regional Queensland who has relocated from home for your tertiary studies. (Your home is outside the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast)
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Capacity to achieve educational outcomes and involvement in school or local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female high school student from a refugee background, having lived in Australia for at least 1 year
- Must be willing to attend the bursaries presentation ceremony to accept the bursary and speak publicly.
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated leadership within local community
Eligibility Criteria
- An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Woman
- Enrolled in a tertiary studies program, such as University, TAFE
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Documented mentoring relationship and progress to date
Eligibility Criteria
- A woman actively undertaking a planned professional development program to increase your leadership and governance (i.e. boardroom readiness) skills
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated previous success in the STEM area of study and career goals in the STEM field
Eligibility Criteria
- A young woman, under the age of 25, enrolled in the first year of tertiary studies in a recognised STEM course
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated articulation of research focus and its anticipated practical benefits
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in a PhD (or other Doctorate) course, where the research will have an outcome of direct benefit to women and their families.
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Intending to assist you to attend a Medical Women’s International Society event, documented interest in the field of medicine and your career aspirations
Eligibility Criteria
- A female, full-time student enrolled in a medical degree course, in at least your third year of study.
- A student member of the Queensland Medical Women’s Society
- Registered or can show evidence of the intent to register for a relevant Medical Women’s Event (Refer to note at the end of the application form for examples)
- A resident of Queensland
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Intending to assist you to attend a Medical Women’s International Society event, documented interest in the field of medicine and your career aspirations
Eligibility Criteria
- A female, full-time student,, less than 30 years of age, either a medical graduate or a final year medical student.
- A student member of the Australian Medical Association Queensland and of the Queensland Medical Women’s Society
- Registered or can show evidence of intent to register for a relevant Medical Women’s Event (Refer to note at the end of the application form for examples)
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated record of achievement in the science field, through school or university studies or science-related project
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of Queensland enrolled in at least the second year of study in a Bachelor’s degree in a physical science, majoring in a field such as physics, chemistry, engineering, geology.
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Detailed use of bursary in staging production, performance or exhibition within the creative arts industry
Eligibility Criteria
- A female second or third year student enrolled in a tertiary course (University, TAFE, Conservatorium, etc.)
- Planning a production, performance or exhibition as part of your assessment, probably towards the end of your creative arts industry course
- An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Documented examples of leadership within your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- An Indigenous (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) female student who has completed at least their first year studying in the education, medical or health sector.
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated contribution to your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of the South Burnett Regional Council area
- Enrolled in a full-time, part-time or distance education course – either university or TAFE, to further develop your skills as a primary producer, or for the benefit of those residents of the local region
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Detailed achievements in your studies, your goals and involvement in your local community
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in post-secondary study
- Eligible to receive a disability support pension
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Description of what you hope to achieve from your study program and how the bursary will help you to do so
Eligibility Criteria
- A female student enrolled in post-secondary study at University, TAFE or other recognised learning institution
- Eligible to receive a disability support pension for a learning (intellectual) disability
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Documented examples of leadership through empowering others, your personal growth and maximising mentoring opportunity
Eligibility Criteria
- A female aged between 18 – 35 years old from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CALD) background
- Able to demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities
- Have made a difference, whether at a large-scale or grass-roots level
- An Australian citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated involvement in local community and career aspirations
Eligibility Criteria
- A female resident of Queensland
- Enrolled in last or second last year of full-time studies in journalism either as a single degree or a double degree course
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated love of maths and physics and their practical application to Engineering, and examples of your leadership
Eligibility Criteria
- A female full-time student currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Engineering degree (Civil, Electrical or Environmental), in your second, third or fourth year of study
- Enrolled in a university located outside the South East Queensland region, as defined by www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/regions/queensland
- A resident of Queensland of good repute with no past or current disciplinary proceedings against you
- An Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated love of maths and physics and their practical application to Engineering, and examples of your leadership
Eligibility Criteria
- A female full-time student currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Engineering degree (Civil, Electrical or Environmental), in your second, third or fourth year of study
- Enrolled in a university located outside the South East Queensland region, as defined by www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/regions/queensland
- A resident of Queensland of good repute with no past or current disciplinary proceedings against you
- An Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa
Apply
CLOSED.
Overview
Demonstrated passion and commitment to international development and volunteering, with the desire to articulate and inform the public on the aims and outcomes of these activities
Eligibility Criteria
- A female Queensland tertiary student, 35 years of age or younger.
- Studying development, international economics, law and human rights, public health, international relations or another related field
- An Australian citizen
Apply
CLOSED.
Whilst many of the bursaries from 2019 have continued, there are some variations in the 2020 program.
Connecting women since 1905
The National Council of Women of Qld. Inc., which has been working for women in Queensland since 1905, is part of NCWA Inc. which was recognised by the Australian Government as one of three peak Women’s organisations in 2000.

Interested in our Bursary Program?
We welcome enquiries from potential bursary partners and bursary applicants. Please contact the NCWQ Bursary Program Coordinator.