Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship

A prestigious national scholarship for Indigenous students to study honours in political science at ANY Australian university.

Neville Bonner's life is a study not only of courage, conscience and compassion in the face of extraordinary adversity, but also of personal and national reconciliation.

Established in the year 2000 by the Federal Government, The Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship is Australia's most prestigious scholarship for Indigenous Australians to study Honours in Political Science (or related subjects) at any recognised Australian university. One Neville Bonner Scholarship may be awarded each year.

Political Science may be broadly interpreted to include such subjects as government, political geography, political history, political anthropology and political economics. The Selection Committee may also consider application from other subject areas (consistent with the broad aim of the Scholarship) where there is a political component to the proposed thesis.

The Scholarship is equivalent in value to the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Stipend (valued at approximately $34,315 in 2026). The scholarship also includes up front payments of the student contribution amounts relevant to the Honours year of study. The award is paid in two equal installments over the period of the Scholarship (one academic year of full-time study or pro rata over two years for approved part-time study).

The award is available each year to a student who: 

• is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person;
• is recognised as such by their community;
• is currently enrolled (or has been enrolled) in a course of study leading to the award of a Bachelor Degree with majors relevant to the enrolment in an Honours year in politics or political science (or related subjects) at a recognised Australian university;
• receives an offer of admission into an eligible Honours program.