$140,000 in science scholarships open to WA students

Western Australian university students can now apply for the chance to receive a $7000 scholarship to help further their career in science under the 2008 Science and Innovation Studentship Awards (SISA).

The award program provides undergraduates and recent graduates with the opportunity to undertake a 10-week research project with a Western Australian company of their choice during their university summer holidays.

The Department of Industry and Resources Deputy Director General of the Industry Development Group Joe Ostojich, said the awards program is designed to encourage creativity and innovation amongst students, allowing them to broaden their professional experience as well as gain valuable skills in developing and applying their own ideas.

“The Science and Innovation Studentship Awards aim to successfully promote research interaction between industry and academia, with a focus on issues that are essential to the long-term development of the State’s industry,” he said.

“Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to work on a broad range of projects in the areas of nanoscience, physics, information technology, biomedicine, sport and health sciences, medicine and engineering, helping to advance the State’s reputation as a leader in science and innovation.

“Up to 20 local university students will be awarded the $7000 scholarship, and I encourage all eligible participants to apply.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have lived in Western Australia for more than two years and be either an Australian Citizen, permanent Australian resident or hold a permanent Humanitarian Visa. Students must have also completed the equivalent of a minimum of two years full-time study in a science discipline, and intend to continue with research studies.

Expressions of Interests are also open to Western Australian companies who would like to host successful student applicants and become Host Organisations.

Australian of the Year and plastic surgeon Dr Fiona Wood from McComb Foundation, one of last year’s Host Organisation’s, said that the foundation was very keen to continue supporting the students as it was a great program.

Dr Nicolette Binz from the Lions Eye Institute, another of last year’s Host Organisations, said the Science and Innovation Studentship Awards was an extremely valuable and worthwhile program.

“We hosted a student from last year’s award program and she proved to be a very dedicated and switched on student,” Dr Binz said.

“I am pleased to know that awards like these are available to WA students, and I hope the Science and Innovation Studentship Awards continue to be supported by the State Government to help our outstanding science students.”

Applications for Host Organisations close on 8 August while applications for students to submit a research project close on 12 September.

For further information on how to apply for a scholarship or to be a Host Organisation, simply contact Dagma D’Costa from the Department of Industry and Resources on (08) 9222 3076 or visit http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/sisa

The Science and Innovation Studentship Awards are administered by the Department of Industry and Resources through the Industry Development Group.