What is the Travel Scholarship?

With the support of the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts funding program, the Australian Indigenous Languages Institute is pleased to announce travel scholarships for attendance at intensive courses.

These scholarships are available to Indigenous language workers who wish to engage in university-level studies in Indigenous languages and linguistics. These intensives comprise undergraduate units of study delivered as summer and winter intensives.

Charles Darwin University, in partnership with Batchelor Institute, offer a range of programs available at diploma, associate degree and bachelor levels, delivered online, face-to-face and via intensive workshops. The summer and winter intensive programs are run in partnership with the Australian National University, with a view to involving other training providers in future. The AILI is modelled on North American programs such as the Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute and the American Indian Language Development Institute.

These scholarships are ideally structured for Indigenous people already engaged in language work, particularly those who do not already have university qualifications. Once enrolled, courses and assessments can be tailored to the needs of their specific communities.

The courses are open to anyone, but these travel scholarships are limited to Indigenous people only. They are an excellent opportunity to engage with students and language workers from around Australia.

Nine Indigenous language workers have received scholarships to attend the Sydney Summer School in January 2019, and in Darwin in July 2019 and February 2020.  There is no further funding available, and no courses currently on offer.

Travel Scholarship Details

Scholarships will cover

• • Domestic travel from community to course location
  • Accommodation for the duration of the course, plus 1 day either side for travel if required
  • Costs of meals and some local transport (per diem)
  • Course fees and materials for one of the intensive courses.
  • Any additional course excursions or activities

Costs not covered by the scholarship funds include:

• • Personal items
  • Private activities outside the course program
  • Any accompanying travellers

Travel will be arranged by AILI staff in consultation with the scholarship recipients.
Completion of the course may be awarded partial credit towards a Diploma of Indigenous Language Work through Charles Darwin University.

• • Eligible participants will be encouraged to apply for enrolment in this courset, which will involve application through SATAC – bring along your transcripts and other relevant papers for completing the application
  • Financial support for ongoing study (beyond the current scholarship program) is available through the Australian government’s Away from Base funding and AbStudy

Application Rules

Applications are open to Indigenous people over the age of 18.
Applications must be submitted online before the closing date.
Applications must include the name and contact details of two referees, as well as a 4-500 word statement of interest.
The statement should include information such as:

• • Your involvement in language work
  • Your goals for language revitalisation or maintenance
  • What you hope to achieve by doing this course
  • How your community will benefit from your involvement in this course