The 2024 information session included an overview of the program’s aims and objectives, tips and tricks for applying for the program, followed by a Q&A session for applicants.
Please read the Elevate Program guidelines in full before applying.
These guidelines contain information related to the process of selecting Elevate scholars for the 2024 round of the Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM program (‘Elevate’) and the conditions of the award for the Elevate scholarships.
This document sets out:
(a) the Elevate Program and scholarship opportunities
(b) the eligibility requirements and selection criteria
(c) the process of and timeline for application consideration
(d) the expectations of scholars engaging in the program.
Process and timeline for application consideration
The deadline for Elevate Program applications commencing in 2024 is 5:00pm (AEST) 31 August 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. ATSE highly encourages applicants to start the application process early.
Timeline for study beginning in 2024
- Applications opened 12:01am AEDT 1 October 2022
- Deadline for 2024 consideration 5:00pm AEST 31 August 2023
- Assessment period September and October 2023
- Scholarships announced November 2023
- Scholarships commence January 2024
Applying to Elevate
To understand which applications were ranked highly by assessors in 2022, please review the document ‘Applying to Elevate’ below.
This document has been prepared to assist you with your application and includes details on:
- What selected applications had in common
- Additional elements for postgraduate research and leadership scholarships found in highly ranked applications
To assist Elevate applicants, we have provided downloadable blank application forms that allow individuals to preview the application questions in advance.
Undergraduate Scholarship Application Form (1)
Postgraduate Research Scholarship Application Form (1)
Leadership Scholarship Application Form (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
Are people who identify their gender as non-binary eligible to apply for the Elevate Program?
Yes. The Elevate program is open to anyone who identifies as a woman or as non-binary. While the term non-binary is regularly used to include all people who do not identify as a man or woman, Elevate acknowledges that this term may not describe your own gender identity, and therefore, you are welcome to nominate a different term. Please note that this information will not be shared with anyone outside ATSE, including assessors. Your answer to this question will only be used by ATSE to determine your eligibility for the program.
Am I eligible for the Elevate Program if I have already commenced my studies?
No. The Elevate Program is only available to those who plan to commence a new course at an Australian university in 2024.
If you are already studying, you are ineligible for your current degree.
You can apply in the future if you choose to undertake further studies.
What are the visa eligibility requirements for Elevate scholars?
To be considered for the Elevate Program, students will need to be enrolling at an Australian university as a domestic student for study based in Australia.
Students must be entitled to stay in Australia, or enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time.
The only visas that allow students to enrol as a domestic student are Australian Permanent Resident visas, including humanitarian visas.
Are international students eligible for the Elevate program?
The Elevate program is only open to individuals who can enrol as a domestic student. International students are not eligible for the program. If you are unsure of your status, please contact your prospective university to confirm whether you will be enrolling as a domestic or international student.
Scholarships
I have received an Elevate scholarship in the past. Can I apply for another scholarship in a different category to support further study?
No, scholars who have received one Elevate scholarship are not eligible for a second Elevate scholarship.
What are the payments for the three scholarship categories?
The table below outlines the payment for full-time students (AUD) in each category of scholarship. Part-time students will be paid pro-rata.
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate Research | Leadership | |
| Maximum duration of scholarship
(The shorter of these periods applies where there is a range) |
3 years
OR Minimum length of degree at full time rate |
3 years
OR Minimum length of degree at full time rate |
2 years
OR Minimum length of degree at full time rate |
| Upfront Payment | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Quarterly Payments (full time rate) | $2,083.33 | $6,416.67 | $8,125.00 |
| Maximum total amount paid | $30,000 | $82,000 | $70,000 |
How does the Elevate Scholarship interact with other scholarships, particularly the Research Training Program (RTP) for PhD students?
Elevate scholars may hold more than one scholarship.
It is the responsibility of an Elevate scholar to ensure that:
- they are eligible for any other scholarship they hold concurrently,
- and that the Elevate scholarship will not impact or contradict their eligibility for the second scholarship.
Applicants with existing scholarships are advised to contact their university’s scholarship office to understand the implications of holding another scholarship in addition to the Elevate Scholarship.
For a student to continue to be eligible for an RTP scholarship, they must not be in receipt of an equivalent award, scholarship or salary related to their course of study that provides a living stipend greater than 75% of their annual RTP stipend rate.
- This may mean RTP scholars will not be able to hold an RTP scholarship and an Elevate scholarship at the same time.
- We encourage students to contact their prospective university’s scholarship office to confirm their eligibility.
- For further information, please refer to the FAQs for the Research Training Program on the Department of Education Website.
Students who have been unable to secure an RTP scholarship are encouraged to apply for an Elevate postgraduate research scholarship for study in applied research.
What is the difference between the Postgraduate Research and Leadership Scholarships?
There are two different categories of the Elevate program offering support for postgraduate study; the postgraduate research category and the leadership category.
Postgraduate Research Scholarships
We encourage applicants commencing a PhD or Master by Research in 2024 to apply for a Postgraduate Research Scholarship.
We will prioritise students whose research is an industry collaboration or links with industry, particularly in the fieldsof advanced manufacturing, agriculture, digital futures, energy resources and renewables, health technology, minerals and mining equipment, technology and services and water resources.
However, applications from all STEM disciplines are welcome.
Students undertaking postgraduate STEM degrees with a coursework component of greater than 75% are ineligible in this category. Students wishing to undertake a Master degree by coursework in STEM may wish to apply for a leadership scholarship, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Postgraduate Research Scholarships will provide financial support, along with opportunities for professional development, industry engagement, networking and mentoring. The goal for these scholars is to foster more women- and non-binary-led industry-academia collaborations in applied research and business.
Leadership Scholarships
We encourage applicants intending to study either a higher degree to improve business acumen, e.g. Master of Business Administration or a Master by coursework related to start-ups, mature business or skills that address industry areas of national importance, to apply for a Leadership Scholarship. Women and non-binary people who are more than 5 years post-graduation, who have experience either within or outside the STEM sector, are encouraged to apply for leadership scholarships.
Applicants applying for a higher degree to improve business acumen must have completed a prior STEM qualification.
The industry priority areas of national importance, targeted through the National Reconstruction Fund, are renewables and low emissions technology; medical science; transport, value-add in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors; value-add in resources; defence capability and enabling capabilities.
As part of the Elevate consultation process, the following areas were also identified as priority disciplines: natural sciences (agriculture, environmental sciences, climate sustainability and adaption, geology and entomology), engineering (material engineering, chemical engineering, minerals, energy, transport and circular economy) and technology (cybersecurity and data skills).
Leadership Scholars will receive financial support, along with opportunities to develop board and executive leadership skills including governance and strategy.
The goal is for these scholars to lead and excel in the STEM ecosystem and to elevate women and non-binary people into leadership in industry, research organisations, government and business.
How many scholarships are available?
The number of scholarships awarded each year may vary and is determined by ATSE in consultation with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Up to 500 scholarships across the three categories will be awarded over the six (6) years of the program (2023-28).
During this period, there will be up to 80 undergraduate, 370 postgraduate research and 50 leadership scholarships, for study at a university located in Australia to gain, extend, or build on STEM education and qualifications.
Elevate Program
Does the Elevate Program involve more than financial support?
Yes. In addition to financial support, Elevate scholars will be immersed in, and supported by, an inclusive network of ATSE’s partner organisations and influential leaders. Scholars will be provided with professional development, mentoring, cross-sector networking and industry engagement as part of the program.
If I am selected to participate in the Elevate program from 2024, am I able to defer the enrolment in my degree, and thus defer my place in Elevate?
Offers to participate in the Elevate program made in one calendar year are only valid for the following calendar year and cannot be deferred. You must confirm your enrolment in your degree by April 30, 2024 and must commence your degree by September 30, 2024 to be eligible for the Elevate program.
Scholars who choose to not take up their scholarship can apply for an Elevate scholarship in a future year, however, a scholarship offer in one year does not guarantee a scholar will be found suitable in a subsequent year.
I understand that one of the program objectives is to support industry collaborations for the Postgraduate Research Scholarships? What does this look like in practice?
A major objective of the Elevate program is to foster links between academia and industry. Elevate has partnered with a variety of organisations; a complete list can be found here (link). This includes another of ATSE’s flagship STEM Careers programs, the Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), which will expose Elevate scholars to industry and extend their professional network.
There will also be opportunities for Elevate scholars to connect with a mentor from industry. The workshops provided as part of the Elevate program will assist scholars to develop skills in research translation, communication, engaging with industry, and protecting your intellectual property.
Do I need to commence in Semester 1 in 2024, or can I commence my studies later in the year?
If selected for the Elevate Program commencing in 2024, scholars are not required to commence in Semester 1. However, study must commence before 30 September 2024. Scholars are required to confirm the course in which they will be enrolling by 30 April 2024.
Scholars are advised to liaise with their university as to the commencement timeframe for their chosen course of study.
Elevate scholarships cannot be deferred to a future year.
Choice of study
Can I receive an Elevate scholarship to study medicine, pharmacy or nursing?
Students planning to undertake degrees administered by non-STEM faculties, such as in a Faculty of Arts, or who are planning to undertake a degree that qualifies an individual for a specific occupation, e.g. medicine, nursing, speech pathology, etc. are not eligible to apply for the program.
A list of ineligible degrees can be found in the Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM program guidelines.
If I am undertaking a double degree, and one degree is not a STEM discipline, am I eligible for the Elevate program?
Provided one degree is an eligible STEM degree, applicants who are planning to undertake double degrees are eligible to apply. Scholarship funding will be provided for a maximum of three years (full-time), even if the double degree extends beyond this period. It is expected that the Elevate scholar is enrolled and completing STEM courses throughout the duration of their scholarship. If a scholar defers and does not resume their eligible STEM degree, the Elevate Scholarship will be terminated.
I am planning to undertake a single-year Honours degree. Am I eligible for the Elevate program?
Single-year Honours degrees are eligible, provided it is a new enrolment and not a continuation of your Bachelor degree. Please note however, depending on the personal circumstances of the applicant and their reasons for applying, single-year Honours degrees may be deprioritised by assessors.
Is an industry connection within the proposed research project necessary to be awarded a scholarship?
In line with the objectives of the Elevate program, the assessment panel for the postgraduate research scholarship applications will prioritise students whose research is an industry collaboration or has links with industry, particularly in the categories of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, digital futures, energy resources and renewables, health technology, minerals and mining equipment, technology and services, and water resources. However, applications from all eligible STEM disciplines are welcome.
In your application, we ask that where possible you outline any potential translational or commercialisation opportunities that may arise from your project. Please include details of any collaborations your research group has or intends to foster, e.g. your laboratory or supervisor is funded by industry through an ARC Linkage grant.
For a Leadership Scholarship, what is considered eligible under ‘higher degree to improve business acumen’?
A higher degree to improve business acumen is any postgraduate degree that improves your knowledge and skills of business, including business planning, operations, finance, and strategy. This may be to improve your understanding of risks and opportunities, improving efficiency at your job or solving complex problems.
This may include, but is not limited to, degrees administered by the business, commerce, economics or law faculties of your chosen university, such as a Master of Business Administration.
Application process
I have started my application but now wish to change the category in which I am applying. How do I do this?
ATSE is happy to assist you with changing your scholarship category in your application. Please contact ATSE via email elevate@atse.org.au or 02 6185 3240 no later than 5:00pm (AEST) on 30 August 2023.
Can I upload additional documents to support my application?
Additional documentation to support your application is not required, nor expected. However, we appreciate that there may be information you wish to advise ATSE of to support you. You are welcome to provide this information in an email elevate@atse.org.au.
Please note this additional information will not be provided to the selection panel and will not be assessed as part of your application.
I applied last year. Do I need to submit a new application?
If you applied for the Elevate program commencing in 2023, you will need to create a new application to apply for 2024 commencement. Applications are not rolled over until the next year. Please refer to the Elevate Program guidelines to confirm that you remain eligible for the program.
How will the applications be assessed?
ATSE has taken an intersectional and inclusive approach to building three expert selection committees, one for each scholarship category. Panels comprise a diverse group of people, with representatives from various sectors (higher education/academia, industry, government and non-profit organisations), with diversity in disciplines, background and lived experience, and from different career stages.
I have a question that has not been answered in the Elevate Program Guidelines or FAQs, who can I talk to?
Please direct any questions during the application period to ATSE and we will endeavour to respond to all questions within three working days.
ATSE will not respond to enquiries submitted after 5:00pm (AEST) on 30 August 2023. We recommend anyone seeking guidance or advice for their applications submit their questions in advance of the deadline.