Summer Vacation Scholarship Scheme

The Australian War Memorial provides Summer Vacation Scholarships for history students in their third or fourth year of an undergraduate course, undertaking early-stage postgraduate studies, and/or enrolled in museum or public history courses.

This is an important opportunity for students hoping to make history their career. If successful you will acquire skills in public history by working with staff in the Memorial's Military History Section. You will gain an understanding of the range and significance of the Memorial's collections and of the work of historians within a major cultural institution.

You will need an excellent academic record, as well as an ability to think imaginatively and work collaboratively. While you do not need a background in military history, you will need a willingness to engage with the subject. If military history is your particular interest, you will gain valuable experience by working intensively with some of Australia's leading experts in the field.

Each scholar is allocated a project relating to the Memorial’s research interests. At the end of their scholarship period, scholars submit a written report on their project and give a short presentation to staff and interested members of the public.

The scholarship period will be between 6 January and 14 February 2020.

Scholars are paid an honorarium of $505 per week for the duration of the scholarship (provided they are not in receipt of a regular, full-time income) and are supplied with accommodation. A return fare between an Australian airport and Canberra is also supplied.

Overseas applicants: As of late 2010, the Memorial will consider applications from overseas students. Overseas applicants must be undertaking a level of study equivalent to that outlined above; be able to fund their own travel to and from a major point of entry to Australia (an international airport); and make their own arrangements for the necessary Australian visa. The Memorial will fund travel only within Australia, and provide supporting documentation for any required visa applications, but will not act as an agent for the visa application. All visa inquiries should be directed to the nearest Australian diplomatic mission. Overseas applications will be considered on their merits, but no more than one overseas scholar will be appointed each year.

Application form

Read the SVSS 2020 application form (PDF 506 KB); or SVSS 2020 application form (DOCX 72 KB)

The application period opens 30 August 2019 and close at 5pm EST, Friday 11 October 2019. No applications will be accepted before the opening date, or after the closing date.