Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award

Lowitja Institute celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and excellence throughout our work. As Australia’s national community controlled health and wellbeing research institute, the biennial conference awards recognise outstanding contributions to the field of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing research. These awards showcase research that is culturally, ethically, and intellectually rigorous and for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award recognises an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student who is in the process of completing a Higher Degree by Research (Masters by Research or PhD), or has finished one of these degrees within the last two to three years. 

In 2023, the award was given to Dr Amy McQuire.

The success awardee will receive: 

• $5,000 towards professional development
• one full registration to Lowitja Institute's 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2025 (Kaurna Country, Adelaide, 16-19 June 2025), including travel and accommodation.

Please note, applicants should be available to attend the Awards Ceremony at the conference Gala Dinner. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student. 
• In the process of completing a Higher Degree by Research (Masters by Research or PhD), or has finished one of these degrees within the last two to three years. 
  • Field of study must be within basic science, medicine, epidemiology, public health, social health or community health. 
  • Focus of studies must be for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 
• Undertaken study that has demonstrated research benefit for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, in line with Lowitja Institute's research agenda. 
• Demonstrated community involvement throughout studies, with a high-level research impact both locally and nationally. 

• The application must be completed in full with all required supporting documentation collated and attached at submission. 
• Applicants are to provide at least one letter of support, with the referee also including brief comments against the selection criteria. 
• The referee must identify as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or community member. 
• Upload head shot of applicant, noting this is the image that will be used on promotional materials and at the award ceremony if selected. 
• Applicant biography (approximately 200 words), noting this will be used on promotional materials and at the award ceremony if selected. 
• Applications to be submitted: 
  • via SmartyGrants 
  • before Friday 21 March 2025, 11:59pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) 
• It is the applicants responsibility to ensure their full application has been submitted correctly via SmartyGrants. You will receive notification of your submission from SmartyGrants acknowledging submission of your application. 
• Lowitja Institute does not accept any liability if an application is not received (in full) by the due date. 
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.