Birthing on Country Scholarship at Southern Cross University 2026

Introduction:

SISTABIRTH is a Birthing on Country initiative, it is a culturally significant and community-led project designed to improve maternity care for Indigenous women across three diverse Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) in Australia.As part of the SISTABIRTH project, we are offering two Honours Scholarships, each valued at $10,000, to support two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health graduates for an honours program exploring Birthing on Country

Eligibility requirement for Birthing on Country Scholarship at Southern Cross University:

• Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Applicants must meet the entry requirements to enrol in the Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours) program full-time at Southern Cross University.
• Be a recent graduate from an SCU or other university within the last five years.
• Applicants must be willing to be based at either the Gold Coast or Coffs Harbour campus; however, other locations may be considered.
• Applicants must also be committed to travel and engage with rural/remote communities.

Value of the scholarship:

A AUD 10,000 For One Year award is available to support a full-time student

Application Process:

• Applicants must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, meet Honours entry requirements at Southern Cross University, and have completed a Bachelor degree within the last five years.
• The scholarship supports research on Birthing on Country (BoC), smoking cessation initiatives (iSISTAQUIT), and improving Indigenous maternal and infant health outcomes, including engagement with rural and remote communities.
• Successful candidates receive a living stipend of AU$10,000 per year for full-time Honours study. Applications are open until filled, with projects expected to begin in Term 1, 2025.

NOTE:

• Demonstrate understanding of Birthing on Country and your motivation to engage with rural/remote communities (150 words)
• Demonstrate provision of culturally appropriate woman-centred care (125 words)