ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS

1.    About the Scholarships

The AISA Scholarship Program is committed to fostering diversity within the cyber security field, making a significant impact on the lives of those from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities. We believe in breaking down barriers to entry and creating opportunities for all. This reflects not only the principle of fairness but is also aligned with AISA’s aim of improving Australia’s overall security.  It is recognised that diversity strengthens teams in cybersecurity. With this scholarship, we will help underrepresented and disadvantaged Australians contribute to making Australia safer and more secure.

The AISA Scholarships will provide financial support to students enrolled or planning to enrol full-time and expecting to continue in full time study of cyber security or cyber privacy as part of a relevant degree/diploma at a government-run TAFE or government-run University in Australia.  

The scholarship is up to a maximum of $60,000AUD in total, spread evenly over the entire period of time, in order to cover the cost of tuition fees, with small allowance for books or other such learning tools, until the completion of the degree or qualification.   

It is paid at $10,000 per semester to completion of the student’s qualification as set out in the application, but does not exceed the maximum value of an award.

Eligibility

To be eligible, candidates must be an Australian citizen, resident in Australia, who one of the following:

• woman, or
• person of Indigenous Australian descent or
• disadvantaged

and enrolled or planning to enrol full-time and expecting to continue in full time study of cybersecurity or cyber privacy as part of a relevant degree/diploma at a government-run TAFE or government-run University in Australia

Disadvantage encompasses a range of evidenced barriers to achievement, including but not limited to, a disability, a neurodiversity disadvantage such as diagnosed learning disabilities, and social, economic or opportunity disadvantage (e.g. financial hardship, remoteness, etc)

Applicable areas of study for the scholarship

The applicant must be enrolled, or soon to be enrolled in a diploma or degree which allows the study of cyber security or cyber privacy. This may be a specific diploma in this field, or it may be part of a related qualification, such as Computing and Information Systems, or related Engineering course. If it is part of a related (larger) qualification, please provide information about how the degree/diploma will prepare you to work in the cyber security or cyber privacy field.

Selection Criteria

We are looking for people who show:

• genuine enthusiasm for some aspect of cyber security or cyber privacy
• leadership
• initiative, resourcefulness or a strong work ethic
• curiosity by nature
• achievement, in academic or other areas

We recognise that those who experience disadvantage may not always be able to excel in their academic marks. Achievement may be in academic performance but may also be represented by achievement in other ways and our evaluation committee will consider these as well. 

For those candidates selected for the scholarship shortlist, it may be necessary to attend an interview and provide additional supporting documentation. The interview panel will be composed of the AISA Board members or representatives.

To maintain the AISA Scholarship you need to:

• be enrolled full time in an approved accredited course at a government TAFE or university in Australia
• provide a transcript with your marks at the end of each marking period to show satisfactory progress
• attend at least one AISA event per year (a ticket will be provided for free) such as Cybercon, The Australian Cyber security Conference, PerthSec, AdelaideSec, BrisSec or other state-based branch events.
• submit a very short written summary (less than a page) each semester of your activities (e.g. subjects taken, related activities to the scholarship topic

Documentation required

Disadvantage encompasses a range of evidenced barriers to achievement, including but not limited to, a disability, a neurodiversity disadvantage such as diagnosed learning disabilities, and social, economic or opportunity disadvantage (e.g. financial hardship, remoteness, etc)

Documents we need in your application

Please provide:

1. A personal CV of not more than 2 pages. Include honours, awards, activities, achievements.
2. 2 personal recommendations of not more than 2 pages each, giving examples of your character or activities that best meet our selection criteria. This might for example come from a teacher, a community leader, a supervisor or other. 
3. A personal statement of not more than 800 words
4. Evidence of your disadvantage, disability or neurodiversity, if this is the category you are applying under
5. Academic transcript of your most recent academic institutions. If you are currently enrolled at an institution for less than 12 months please include your previous academic institution’s academic transcript   (Note: you may provide a copy in your application, but may be asked to arrange for your institutions to mail AISA Scholarships directly with original transcripts at a later date)

All written pages should be 12 point font, on A4 pages. Academic transcripts do not need to comply with this and must not be altered.

For your personal statement please tell us:

1. How have you taken actions in your life to pursue things that motivate and inspire you?
2. How would the scholarship enable and empower you to pursue your goals?
3. Show us evidence of your leadership or resourcefulness skills by giving an example
4. Can you tell us about a time where you had to solve a problem within your school or community group? What did you do? 

If you've told us about a disability, neurodiversity or medical condition in your application, please provide:

• a letter from your doctor or relevant health care or education professional that supports your statement, including impact on your ability to undertake your studies or work

If you have experienced financial hardship, we will ask for documents later in the process to verify this if you are shortlisted.

Have you received any other scholarships or financial aid? If so, please specify here how much it is, who it is provided for, on what criteria, when. 

Additional Information
Is there anything else you would like us to know that has not been covered in this application?

You can also upload any other documents you feel supports your personal statement. These may include such things as: 

• references
• additional letters of recommendation 
• certificates, awards or recognition 

Submit application confirmation
Thank you for submitting your application for the AISA Scholarship.  The foundation committee will review your application and will be in touch soon.

2.    About the Scholarship 

The AISA Scholarship Program is committed to fostering diversity within the cyber security field, making a significant impact on the lives of those from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities. We believe in breaking down barriers to entry and creating opportunities for all. This reflects not only the principle of fairness but is aligned with AISA’s aim of improving Australia’s overall security.  It is recognised that diversity strengthens teams in cybersecurity. With this scholarship, we will help underrepresented and disadvantaged Australians contribute to making Australia safer and more secure.

Our Scholarship Evaluation Committee

Our dedicated AISA Foundation Scholarship Fund Committee is composed of professionals and leaders in cybersecurity and cyber privacy. It ensures the integrity and governance of our Scholarship Fund, aiming to provide equal opportunities for aspiring cyber security professionals.

Application Timeline

10 May 5pm AEST	Deadline to submit application materials
30 June, or earlier	Applicants are notified if they will be requested to attend an interview.
15 September, or earlier	Candidates are notified if their application has been successful or not

Apply Here

GENERAL INFORMATION AND YOUR PRIVACY 

If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact: 
Megan Spielvogel - megan.spielvogel@aisa.org.au

Privacy Collection Notice 
The collection of personal information by the Australian Information Security Association (ASIA) is governed by the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and Health Records Act 2000 (Vic) (all,  Privacy Laws). AISA is committed to protecting your privacy and processing your personal information fairly and lawfully in compliance with the Privacy Laws and the GDPR, as applicable. 

The information on this form is being collected by AISA for the purposes of administering this scholarship, including selection, awarding and reporting requirements. The information you provide will be used in the evaluation of the scholarship selection committee and may be shared with the donors of the award. We will not disclose your personal information to anybody else unless you have given consent, or we are authorised or required to do so by law. 

AISA stores personal information in both electronic and paper based form and does not segregate or treat personal information differently based on your geographical location. AISA takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the information we hold is accurate and complete, and that we implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect personal information transmitted, stored or otherwise processed, from accidental or unlawful destruction, misuse, loss, alteration, unauthorised access or disclosure. 

We will retain your personal information only for as long as required for the purpose it was collected and in accordance with our legislative obligations. 

You may request access to, or correction of, information we hold about you, or exercise rights of access, rectification, erasure and other rights under the GDPR, at any time.