Scholarships are one of the best ways to fund your future studies. Most people know about the general kind, where organisations provide financial support based on your grades or your family’s income for example. But there’s another type that can provide significant help, they’re industry-specific scholarships. These are funded by companies, government agencies, or industry bodies that want to encourage and support students from all walks of life who are heading into their field. In addition to the funding, they often offer something extra too, like mentoring, work placements, or a direct line into the sector once you graduate.
Let’s dive into how you can find and apply for these industry-specific scholarships.
What makes a scholarship industry-specific
An industry-specific scholarship is tied to a particular sector, rather than to a subject or a university. Think engineering, agriculture, defence, healthcare, or technology. These scholarships aim to attract and support talented students who could contribute to the industry’s future. They might be facing a skills shortage, or trying to bring more diversity into their workforce. Either way, they benefit from you succeeding, so they tend to offer more than just money. Mentoring, networking events, and industry placements are common extras, and these can matter just as much as the cash.
How to find and apply for one
You’ll need to be proactive here, start by thinking about the industries that interest you. Here are some strategies to help you in your search:
- Identify Your Interests: Start by identifying the industries that align with your career interests and aspirations. Are you interested in healthcare, technology, agriculture, or perhaps the arts? Once you have identified your areas of interest, you can focus your scholarship search on those industries.
- Research Industry Bodies and Companies: Look for industry bodies, associations, and companies within your chosen field. Many of these organisations offer scholarships to support students entering their industry. Check their websites or contact them directly to inquire about any available scholarships.
- Use Scholarship Search Platforms: Online scholarship platforms can be a valuable resource. The Study Work Grow Scholarships Database could be a great starting point.
- Leverage Your School’s Resources: Your school’s career advisor or guidance officer may have information on industry-specific scholarships. They can also provide advice on your application.
Once you’ve found a scholarship that aligns with your career interests, read the criteria carefully. Some ask for strong grades, others care more about your interest and commitment to the field. Tailor your application to show genuine enthusiasm, not just eligibility. Where you can, back this up with real examples, whether that’s a school project, work experience, or volunteering related to the industry. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor can help too, especially if they can speak to your skills and interest directly.
Industry-backed scholarships in Australia and New Zealand
Here are a couple of examples of industry scholarships, so you can get an idea for what you’re looking for and what’s included. The Elevate program, run by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering, awards scholarships to women and non-binary students in STEM fields. It’s backed by government departments and companies including Snowy Hydro, and it comes with mentoring, workshops, and round-the-clock wellbeing support, not just funding.
Another comes from the Playford Trust in South Australia. Its Resources Engineering Scholarships are worth $10,000 each, funded jointly by the South Australian Government and companies including BHP, Santos, and Iluka Resources. They’re aimed at engineering students specialising in mining or energy resources, and they come with the chance of a paid work placement with one of the supporting companies. It’s a good example of how state governments and local industries team up to grow the workforce they need, while giving students real experience alongside their funding.
New Zealand has a strong tradition of industry scholarships too, particularly in agriculture and food. Fonterra, in partnership with Massey University, offers undergraduate scholarships for Pasifika and Maori students worth $5,000 a year for students starting a degree in Science or Technology. It also includes paid summer internships at Fonterra’s Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North, giving students hands-on experience in the industry well before they graduate.
Ready to start your search?
Industry-specific scholarships offering monetary support are a great opportunity to help you study and reduce your debts. But they could also open doors to work experience, mentoring, networking, and a genuine foothold in your chosen field, whether that’s submarine engineering in Australia or sustainable farming in New Zealand. Head to our scholarships database to start exploring options that match your interests, and get one step closer to funding the career you want.
