Scholarships for Indigenous women to succeed in STEM

In the late 1990s, when Dr Chris Sarra became the first Aboriginal principal of Cherbourg State School, he challenged the whole school community to have High-Expectations Relationships with his students. The ‘Strong and Smart’ approach developed in Cherbourg is now used in schools across the country to embrace a strong and positive sense of what it means to be Aboriginal in contemporary Australian society. This success led to the formation of the Stronger Smarter Institute (formerly known as the Indigenous Education Leadership Institute) in 2005.

The Stronger Smarter Institute (SSI) have study scholarships available through the Teachers of STEM Initiative (ToSI). The initiative is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Association (NIAA) and is a 10-year pilot project to support First Nations women in gaining teaching qualifications in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics. ToSI includes Mentoring and Support Pathways as well as scholarship funding to enrol and attend university.

ToSI is an innovative response to support Indigenous women to succeed in STEM. Developed by The Stronger Smarter Institute, through funding provided by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Teachers of STEM Initiative provides:
Support to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women to complete STEM teaching qualifications; Professional development for educators seeking to improve the STEM educational experience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.

If you are a:
* First Nations female community member or
* First Nations female school Indigenous Education Worker or
* First Nations female pre-service teacher studying in your 1st, 2nd or 3rd year at university or
* First Nations female teacher interested in completing a Graduate Certificate in STEM or
* First Nations female existing Degree holder (Engineer etc.) who would like to study a Master of Teaching

SSI are taking written applications throughout the year. Read the guidelines and download the application where you will need to answer 9 questions. A panel of three Indigenous women will read each application and you may be invited to attend a virtual interview. Successful applicants will then be eligible to receive a scholarship to studyfrom 2023.
For any further questions, inquire here.
Please consider completing a written application for TOSI, information provided here.