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 For mature-age women commencing their first university degree.The Joan Bielski Scholarship is awarded every three years to women aged 35 years or over commencing the first year of their first university degree who can demonstrate hardship. Value $12,000 a year divided into Semester or trimester payments. Eligibility Female35 years or overFirst-year undergraduate studentDemonstrated hardshipValid reason for not commencing earlierAustralian citizen or permanent resident Applications Close 2 April 2026 View Guidelines → Download Application Form → Biography of Joan Bielski AO →

Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship

Education Trust Awards Tempe Mann Travelling Scholarship For research Masters and Doctoral students.Supports women undertaking advanced research relevant to their thesis at an interstate or overseas institution. Value Two awards of up to $8,000 each Eligibility Enrolled in a research Masters or DoctorateAcceptance from host institutionDemonstrated necessity for interstate/overseas researchAustralian citizen or permanent resident Tenure 2026–27 Applications Close 30 April 2026 Apply Now → Guidelines → Checklist → Tempe Mann Biography →

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 For third-year undergraduate students.Awarded to women in the third year of their first undergraduate degree at a university in NSW or ACT. Value Up to $5,000 Eligibility FemaleIn the third year of a full-time undergraduate course for any degree at any university listed on the Australian universities list with campuses in NSW or ACT, having completed two years, (possibly planning to proceed to honours) and with a good academic record in the course so far (minimum Credit average)Must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency in Australia, and provide proof Documents required

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. Value $3500 Eligibility FemaleMust be 25 years or over at the time of applying.Must have completed 1st year of study, with a satisfactory academic record, of a full-time course of her first undergraduate degree at any university

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 Applications Close 1 September 2025 View Guidelines → Apply Now →

Tish Proctor Memorial Prizes

NSW Awards TISH PROCTOR MEMORIAL PRIZES TISH PROCTOR MEMORIAL PRIZES 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

Gladys Marks Bursary

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

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

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 Details provided by Canberra Branch Value Details provided by Canberra Branch Eligibility Details provided by Canberra Branch

City (TAFE Awards)

Branch Awards City Branch – TAFE to University Awards GW NSW CITY BRANCH TAFE TO UNIVERSITY AWARDS FROM MID-2025GWNSW City Branch 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 High School Certificate. As part of its ongoing support, City Branch offers awards to outstanding women who have successfully completed their TPC to a high standard