[Asutralia] Charlie Perkins Scholarship

The Charlie Perkins Children’s Trust was formed in 2002 in the memory of the late Dr. Charlie Perkins AO. For more information about Charlie Perkins click here.
The Trust was initially set up to assist Indigenous children in the following areas:

• improving the health of Indigenous children
• educating and training Indigenous children
• researching into improving the status of Indigenous children
• addressing the welfare of Indigenous children
• making donations to cultural organisations that promote issues relevantto Indigenous children.

In recent years, the Trust has assisted with the funding of:

• a dialysis unit in Kintore in the Northern Territory
• swimming pools in Kintore and Maningrida in the Northern Territory
• prizes for Indigenous students at Sydney University and an annual oration

In October 2008, the Trust’s purposes were expanded to include the education of students as well as children and the Trust was re-named as the Charlie Perkins Trust for Children & Students.
The Trust is working with the University of Oxford to establish two annual
Perkins Scholarships for Australian Indigenous students to study at the University
of Oxford from 2010.
How to apply
How to apply for a scholarship to study at the University of Oxford
Before you do anything you should contact us to arrange a time to discuss your application.

Application process
There are 2 steps to completing the application process. Applicants should:

• Step 1: Apply to the University of Oxford for admission to a degree program and for acceptance to an Oxford college
• Step 2: Apply for a Charlie Perkins Scholarship

Note: You must be accepted by the University of Oxford in order to be eligible to receive a Charlie Perkins Scholarship.
Applying to study at the University of Oxford
Before applying you should check the University of Oxford website to clarify exact entry requirements for your chosen course/s.
You should take some time to thoroughly read through the following information before starting on the application process as errors may delay your application.

• Application Guide
• Graduate Studies Prospectus
• College Guide

Overview
See the University of Oxford’s website for an overview of the process for applying for graduate study.
Deadlines
The deadline for students who wish to also apply for a Charlie Perkins Scholarship is 22 January 2010. An exception to this is for programs offered by the Medical Sciences Division and in Philosophy where the deadline is 8 January 2010.
When you apply to Oxford you will also be required to nominate two colleges.
There is no limit to the number of applications to different courses you can make. However, you will need to provide the full set of necessary supporting materials for each application you submit.
Application fees
The application fee for each program is £25 GBP. You must submit payment in full at the time of application. If you are applying for more than one course you will need to supply separate application forms and payments for each program.
Online applications can only be paid by credit card. If you do not have access to a credit card there are options available to you.
Paper applications can be paid online using a debit or credit card.
You can also pay by cheque or International Banker’s Draft in UK pounds (£) Sterling, made payable to “University of Oxford”.
For more information on paying the application fee see the University of Oxford’s website.
More information
The academic year at Oxford runs from October to June. The year is divided into three 8-week terms, Michaelmas (autumn), Hilary (spring), and Trinity (summer).
You can:

• download an application form, or
• apply online

Applying for a Charlie Perkins Scholarship
Before applying interested candidates must contact us to arrange a time to discuss your application.
Overview
Submit your application by 29 January 2010 (5pm AEDST)
The selection panel will produce a shortlist of candidates for interview during February 2010
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the selection panel at the end of February and the announcement of successful candidates will be made in March 2010
Successful candidates will be flown to Oxford immediately following the announcement to visit colleges
In 2010, the University of Oxford term will commence on Sunday 10 October.
Deadlines for the Charlie Perkins Scholarships
Applications open 9am AEDST Monday 16 November 2009
Applications close 5pm AEDST Friday 29 January 2010

Eligibility
Applicants must
be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
have tertiary qualifications
be accepted into any graduate degree program offered at the University of Oxford – it should be noted that this will require a First Class Honours or upper Second Class Honours degree.
Selection of successful applicants will be based on the academic success of the candidates and their potential to contribute as leaders and role models.
Applicants for the Charlie Perkins Scholarship must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived.
Applicants must provide with their application a written statement confirming the above. Applicants may wish to provide a statement in writing from the Chairperson of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community in which they live or have lived confirming the above.
What you need to provide in your application

• Completed application form
• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• Five references (at least two academic; one from your community or an elder in the community; two of your own choice)Personal statement, mentioning:
  • > a bit about yourself
• what you want to study and why
• how you see yourself contributing to the Indigenous leadership of Australia

Ready to apply? Download the Charlie Perkins Trust application form
Where to send your application:
Charlie Perkins Scholarships
The Charlie Perkins Trust for Children & Students
PO Box 840
Kensington NSW 1465