Scholarships & Awards

Overview

Graduate Women NSW Inc supports women’s education through scholarships, prizes and awards funded by bequests, donations and member support.

Education Trust Awards

Major scholarships administered directly by Graduate Women NSW.

Supports:

Undergraduate excellence
Postgraduate research

Leadership and community contribution

NSW Awards

University-administered prizes funded by Graduate Women NSW.

Recognises:

Academic excellence
Discipline-specific achievement

Financial need (where applicable)

Branch Awards

Locally managed awards offered by Graduate Women NSW branches.

Includes:

Regional HSC Scholarships
TAFE to University Awards

Canberra Branch Awards

Joan Bielski Scholarship

Education Trust Awards Joan Bielski Scholarship 1st year mature age women students commencing their first degree.The GW-NSW Education Trust invites applications for this scholarship every three years from women aged 35 years and over at the time of application, who have been accepted into the first year of their first university degree at any university listed on the Australian Universities’ List in NSW or the ACT, and can demonstrate hardship. Successful completion of the first semester or trimester of study is essential. Candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.Long time GW-NSW member, Joan Bielski AO, was a leading Australian

Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship

Education Trust Awards Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship GW-NSW invites applications from women enrolled as research master’s or research doctoral degree  second or third year student at The University of Sydney, or those who have a first degree or masters from the University of Sydney, and are enrolled for a research doctorate at another university (listed on the Australian Universities’ list) with campuses in NSW or ACT. The Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship is awarded to two women undertaking a short period of advanced research or course work in any field related to the field, at an interstate or overseas university or equivalent organisation. **PLEASE NOTE: Preference has previously been given to candidates

Jamieson Award

Education Trust Awards Jamieson Award For outstanding women completing their undergraduate degree.Recognises academic merit and significant community involvement beyond degree requirements, with preference given to those intending further study. Value Up to $5000 Eligibility High achieving women students who completed the final year of their first undergraduate degree in 2025 at any university listed on the Australian Universities’ list with campuses in NSW or ACTStudents enrolled in double degrees may only apply when the final year of the first degree was completed in 2025Preference is given to applicants who’ve made a significant contribution to their communityPreference will be given to

GW-NSW Education Trust Award

Education Trust Awards GW-NSW Education Trust Award The GW NSW Education Trust Awards are for women students in their third year of full time study, of their first undergraduate degree at a university in NSW or the ACT which is included on the Australian Universities’ list and must have good academic results in the course so far. Preference will be given to those with plans for further study. Further, preference will be given to those applicants who are studying full time or equivalent on campus but those who are enrolled full time online or equivalent are also eligible to apply. The GW-NSW Education Trust

Joan Ritchie Award

Education Trust Awards Joan Ritchie Award This annual award is for a mature age student in her second year of full-time study of her first undergraduate degree, having completed the first full year of study at a satisfactory academic level, and who is experiencing personal disadvantage (and can provide evidence). The award is provided from a bequest by the late Ms Joan Ritchie. Documents required Scanned copy (pdf) of proof of enrolment in year of applicationScanned copy (pdf) of original of all university results including those for subjects completed in your present coursePersonal impact statement to explain the nature of

Barbara Wright Postgraduate Scholarship

Education Trust Awards Barbara Wright Postgraduate Scholarship Awarded by Graduate Women NSW Central West Branch.For women from Central West NSW continuing postgraduate study. Value $8,000 over two years Eligibility FemaleAustralian citizen or permanent residentStrong connection to Central West NSWAccepted into Masters or Doctorate Application: Closed 1 September 2025 View Guidelines → Apply Now →

Tish Proctor Memorial Prizes USYD

NSW Awards TISH PROCTOR MEMORIAL PRIZES USYD Administered by School of Social and Political Sciences University of Sydneya) Most Proficient Woman Student in First Year Government at USydb) Most Proficient Woman Student Doing Postgraduate Coursework Study in Public Policy, Administration and Affairs in GovernmentEstablished from donations from members and her family and friends when she died in office as President in memory of Letitia Proctor (neé Shannon) BEc USyd (d.1993) Tish worked in banking, as a reporter to the “Financial Review”, and a tutor in Government for the Department of Adult Education at USyd. She was active in AFUW as

Gladys Marks Bursary USYD

NSW Awards GW NSW Gladys Marks Bursary USYD For a mature-aged woman student in financial distress completing a degree at USYD. Created in 1970 from contributions from members to honour Gladys Marks BA USyd MA Sorbonne (1884 -1970) Gladys joined the French Department at Sydney University, its first female academic, and rose to Acting Professor, the first in Australia. She had a long career promoting women’s education as President SU Women’s Council (1918-19), Vice-President SUWGA 1920, founding committee AFUW NSW 1922, National President AFUW 1930-32. Her portrait by Norman Carter was a finalist in the Archibald Prize 1925.Administered by Office

Gina Savage Prize UOW

NSW Awards GINA SAVAGE PRIZE UOW For top woman honours graduate in Science or Environmental Science at UOW. Established by the Illawarra Branch and named forGeorgina Savage BSc USyd (d 1972) Head of Science SCEGGS “Gleniffer Brae” Wollongong 1956-72. Founding member Illawarra Branch.Administered by the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Centenary Maths Prize USYD

NSW Awards GW NSW CENTENARY MATHS PRIZE USYD For top women graduating with Honours in Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Mathematical Statistics. Established in 1982 to mark the centenary of the admission of women to the University of Sydney.Administered by the School of Mathematics and Statistics

UNE Awards

NSW Awards GW NSW UNE Awards Science (Biology) and Arts (English) previously donated by Armidale Branch Established 2006 Administered by the UNE Foundation

Canberra

Branch Awards Canberra Branch Graduate Women NSW (Canberra) Prize in Chemistry to recognise outstanding academic achievement and to encourage female identifying students enrolled in a degree of Bachelor in the ANU College of Science.Graduate Women NSW (Canberra Branch) Prize in Computing and Engineering to encourage students who are enrolled in a degree of Bachelor in the ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics or the ANU College of Science who identify as a woman and recognise outstanding academic achievement.Mavis Prater Prize for Women in Mathematics to encourage female students enrolled in a degree of Bachelor in the ANU College of Science

City (TAFE Awards)

Branch Awards City Branch – TAFE to University Awards City Branch of Graduate Women NSW has had a long association with TAFE NSW supporting women and girls in their advancement through the pursuit of education. City Branch recognises the special role that TAFE NSW plays in preparing students for university through its Tertiary Pathways Certificate (TPC) by providing a tertiary entrance score and access to university without the HSC. As part of its ongoing support, City Branch offers awards to outstanding women who have successfully completed their TPC to a high standard and have successfully completed their first semester at University in 2026. Value These awards are to