In 2009, with the assistance of the University of Oxford, the Charlie Perkins Trust established annual Charlie Perkins Scholarships to provide two talented Indigenous Australians each year with the opportunity to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford from 2010. With support from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and Cambridge Australia Scholarships Ltd., the scholarships will also be open for study at the University of Cambridge from 2011.
These postgraduate scholarships are particularly directed towards Indigenous Australians who have the potential to become leaders in their field of study and in their communities. The first two Charlie Perkins Scholars are being funded by the Australian Government, the British Government (through the Chevening program) and Rio Tinto.
A panel of prominent Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, together with a representative of the British Government and Cambridge Australia Scholarships, will select the Charlie Perkins Scholars in 2011.
Participating Colleges
The Scholarships are tenable at the following participating colleges at the University of Oxford: Balliol College, Corpus Christi College, Green Templeton College, Jesus College, Keble College, Linacre College, St Catherine's College, Trinity College and Wolfson College. At the University of Cambridge, the participating colleges will include: Clare Hall, Darwin College, King’s College, St Edmund’s College, Trinity College and Wolfson College. A number of other colleges at both universities are currently considering coming on board.
Location
The Scholarships are offered for study at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Financial value and details
The value of each Perkins Scholarship will vary, depending on the scholarship-holder's course of study, for up to four years. It will cover full university and college fees, travel costs and an annual stipend to cover living expenses. For the 2012-13 academic year the stipend is £13,800 (approximately $AUD21,600).
Eligibility
Selection of successful applicants will be based on the academic success of the candidates and their potential to contribute as leaders and role models.
Deadlines
The deadline for students who wish to apply for study at the University of Oxford is 20 January 2012. An exception to this is for programs offered by the Medical Sciences Division and in Philosophy where the deadline is 6 January 2012.
The deadline for students who wish to apply for study at the University of Cambridge is 1 December 2011.
When you apply to Oxford or Cambridge you will be required to nominate two of the participating colleges listed above.
When and how to apply
Before applying interested candidates should check the university websites (University of Oxford; University of Cambridge) to clarify exact entry requirements for their chosen course/s. The Trust encourages candidates to consider applying to both universities to increase their chances of being accepted into their program of interest.
Applications for the 2012-13 Charlie Perkins Scholarships open on Monday 15 August 2011. Applications will close at 5pm AEST on Friday 14 October 2011.
Applicants will need to apply directly to the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge for admission to study (please check deadlines) and also to the Trust for a Scholarship.
Only applicants who are accepted to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge will be eligible to receive the Charlie Perkins Scholarships.
Before applying interested candidates should contact the Trust for further information and to discuss college selection.
Read more on how to apply for a postgraduate Scholarship.
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