The CSIRO Staff Association provides these scholarships as way to recognise and support members who are developing their skills and qualifications both in the workplace and the wider community.

The scholarships include the long-standing John Little study scholarship and two more recently established scholarships which aim to support women in science, and members who undertake community citizenship activities to support workers and disadvantaged people.

John Little Study Scholarship

This scholarship was established in in the early 1990s in honour of John Little, a former Technical Association Federal President and Victorian Branch Chairman. It was John's foresight that helped set the Association on the path it is on today.

A previous recipient of the John Little study scholarship, Leanne Davis, shares how the scholarship enabled her study of medical science.

“The John Little Scholarship assisted me in travelling from Geelong to Wagga and return, and for the Residential School Costs and some of the books which I tend to buy second-hand.

“Currently I am studying Genetics and Histotechniques and have been lucky to get a pathology rotation placement in Fiji for two weeks – I am very excited about that opportunity as it will also be my first overseas trip! There is still a long way to go having completed two years out of the six in a Bachelor of Medical Science degree.

“A big thank you to the union for assisting me with some of the ongoing costs of my schooling,” Leanne said.

John Little Study Scholarships are $1000 each, and the CSIRO Staff Association award up to three per year.

Women in Science Careers Scholarships

Our Women in Science Careers Scholarships recognise the importance of supporting women in developing their careers in science.

The union is committed to supporting women in CSIRO, the Australian Astronomical Observatory and the National Measurement Institute, as part of the Women in Science network and through leadership on issues of equity, diversity and work-life balance.

Women in CSIRO are significantly under-represented amongst the ranks of senior scientific staff. The lack of opportunities for networking, shadowing and mentoring has been identified as a major factor in the under-representation.

In 2013, Beck Edwards from Black Mountain in the ACT was awarded a Women in Science Careers Scholarship. This scholarship provided Beck the opportunity to travel to Adelaide to shadow fellow scientist Julie Smith and train in the techniques and protocols of carbon measurement in water samples.

“The Scholarship assisted in developing my network with analytical laboratories within CSIRO, and I gained access to a mentor,” Beck said.

Katherine Locock, a fellow recipient of the Women in Science Careers Scholarship in 2013, put her funds towards attending the Stevens Bacteria-Materials Conference and the Gordon Polymers Conference, in the United States.

“I was lucky enough to be granted one of only nine available oral presentations for the Gordon Research Seminar. As an early career researcher, new to the male-dominated of biomaterial polymer chemistry, it is important that I establish my name in this field on an international level,” Katherine said.

Women in Science Scholarships are $1,500 each and assist with the costs of travel, accommodation and sundry expenses. The Staff Association awards up to two scholarships each year.  

Community Citizenship Scholarships

Community Citizenship Scholarships assist members who undertake community citizenship activities that support workers and disadvantaged people and which could not otherwise be undertaken without the financial assistance of the scholarship.

These can be for activities that enhance workers rights and conditions, or provide local or overseas aid to disadvantaged people. Up to two scholarships of $1,500 are awarded each year. More information here.

How to apply

For further detail about these scholarships, including conditions of application, email the CSIRO Staff Association.