Scholarships
Every year, RSPCA Australia offers two scholarships to encourage students to take an active interest in animal welfare issues, to support animal welfare research that might not otherwise attract funding, and to promote the objectives of the RSPCA within the research community.
The RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship is offered to students for the funding of original research aimed at improving the welfare of animals in Australia. The RSPCA Australia Scholarship for Humane Animal Production Research is for specific projects aimed at improving the welfare of production animals.
Click here for information on previous scholarship recipients and their projects
Through the scholarship program, the RSPCA has supported many interesting and valuable research projects on a variety of animal welfare issues. Since 2005 scholarship recipients have provided reports on the progress of their research. These progress reports can be accessed from the above link.
RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship for Animal Welfare Research
The RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship for Animal Welfare Research was established in 1989 to advance the cause of animal welfare in Australia. The scholarship is named after Mr Alan White, a past President of RSPCA Australia and a past President of RSPCA Queensland. The Alan White Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students in Australian tertiary institutions for the funding of original research aimed at improving the welfare of animals in Australia. The 2013 scholarship award will be for $8,200 and can be used towards any area of research that fits the general scholarship criteria.
RSPCA Australia Scholarship for Humane Animal Production Research
This scholarship category is available for individual research projects that are related to the development of humane alternative animal production systems. These awards are funded by the royalties accrued from the RSPCA Australia Approved Farming Scheme. The 2013 scholarship award will be for $8,200 and is available to full-time or part-time students in Australian tertiary institutions. Applications can be made for research involving any livestock animal, but projects relating to alternative housing and husbandry systems for pigs and poultry are particularly encouraged.
Scholarship criteria
The following general criteria apply to applications for either type of award:
- Applications should be for a discrete research project (which may or may not form part of a larger research program).
- Applicants must demonstrate in their application that their proposed research project is supportive of the policies of RSPCA Australia and will be used to further animal welfare in Australia. All current policies can be viewed on the RSPCA Australia Knowledge Base.
- Applicants must be enrolled in full-time or part-time education in an accredited course at an Australian University or College in the year their application is considered.
- The Scholarships are not restricted to any particular academic discipline. However, applicants demonstrating a major commitment to and/or involvement with animal welfare issues are strongly favoured.
Application information
Application forms for the RSPCA Australia Scholarships can be downloaded here or can be mailed on request from the RSPCA Australia office.
Applications for the 2013 Scholarships close on Monday 26th August 2013. Applicants will be notified of the results of the assessment process by the end of November 2013.
Completed applications should be forwarded either by mail or email to:
Mail: Chief Scientist
RSPCA Australia
PO Box 265
Deakin West ACT 2600
Email: science@rspca.org.au
If you require further information please contact RSPCA Australia.