Applications open for Elevate: Boosting women in STEM

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has opened applications for the $41.2 million Elevate: Boosting women in STEM program, funded by the Australian Government.

Elevate will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) over the next six years. The program encourages women to pursue education and careers in STEM and offer opportunities to extend qualifications, networks and professional skills in STEM and business.

To be administered and delivered by ATSE in collaboration with partners from industry and academia, the Elevate scholarship program will immerse women into a diverse and inclusive STEM ecosystem through collaborations between industry, academia and government. Three categories of scholarship are available for study in all STEM disciplines: Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Leadership.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker encouraged a diverse and broad range of girls and women to apply and pursue education and careers in STEM, claiming that more women in discovery and innovation will build the resilience, capability and breadth of Australian research.

“As well as generous scholarships to support undergraduate and postgraduate university education, the Elevate program will provide targeted professional development, mentoring and cross-sector networking that will ensure scholars graduate with career-building knowledge and skills, connections and relationships,” Walker said.

“Elevate will propel women into senior STEM leadership positions, boosting women’s voices in decision-making and future-shaping in industry and academia.”

The Elevate program is open to all prospective students who identify as women. ATSE particularly encourages applicants from individuals who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; LGBTQIA+; individuals from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds; low socioeconomic backgrounds; individuals from regional or rural areas or those living with a disability. Diversity, inclusion and achievement relative to opportunity will be considered in the assessment and selection process.

“To lay the foundations for an Australian future that has a sustainable and prosperous economy, society and environment, we need a broad range of people equipped to solve problems through creativity, collaboration and innovation,” Walker said.

Applications for Elevate scholarships will be open all year round, with an assessment period each year. For study starting in 2023, applications are now open and the assessment period begins 11.59 pm on 30 September 2022. Applications received after this deadline will be considered for scholarships starting in 2024.

Image credit: iStock.com/valentinrussanov

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