Scholarships Search NQBP-TropWATER Internship Bursary

North Queensland Bulk Ports-TropWATER Internship Bursary

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Competitive Internship and Industry Placement with $2,000 bursary – Cairns/Townsville/Mackay

How would you like to join forces with an award winning university and industry partnership for a unique career-enhancing opportunity in marine science and environmental management?

James Cook University’s TropWATER and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) are offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for just two JCU students (undergraduate, honours or post-graduate) who are interested in participating in a marine science based university and industry internship placement program.

What’s on offer

  • A four-week industry-research placement with JCU and NQBP
  • A bursary of $2,000 to help fund flights/travel during the internship
  • One week accommodation in Mackay will be covered by NQBP during the placement
  • Guidance from JCU and NQBP staff during a research and industry application experience. Dates are flexible but the internship will consist of four weeks generally during the semester breaks.

The good stuff

Applicants will gain:

  • Invaluable knowledge in field, laboratory, desktop and administrative skills within a research environment with the Seagrass and Coastal Ecology Group in Cairns and the Coastal Catchments and Water Quality Group in Townsville. These placements will take place over three weeks, with timing and location flexible depending on student location.
  • A one-week placement with NQBP in Mackay
  • Experience for a research and management career or a higher degree in marine biological sciences, as well as offering a unique opportunity to see how results of research are applied in management and operations within industry.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy

Student TypeUndergraduate, Honours and/or Post-Graduate
Area of StudyMarine Science / Ecology
Total Value$2,000 + 4-week industry-research placement
Duration 1 year
Number of Bursaries available 2
Applications Open20 November 2025
Applications Close16 January 2026 - Midday

The NQBP-TropWATER Internship Bursary is open to competition among candidates who:

  • Are either in second or third year of an undergraduate course, honours or post-graduate program, with a focus in marine and/or environmental studies, at James Cook University.

The successful applicant will receive:

  • A bursary of $2,000 to help fund flights/travel during the internship, paid in one instalment upon awarding, into recipient's personal bank account.
  • A three-week industry-research placement with JCU and a one-week industry-research placement with NQBP.
  • One week paid accommodation in Mackay, covered by NQBP during the placement.
  • Guidance from JCU and NQBP staff during a research and industry application experience.

    Applications must be received no later than the advertised close date and include:

  • A copy of your Academic Record
  • A copy of your Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages), including contact details for an academic referee
  • Written statement (maximum one page) describing:
    • Why you want participate in the program, and
    • What skills you can bring to TropWATER and NQBP.
    • When applying for an internship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

      The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the internship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

Competitive Internship and Industry Placement with $2,000 bursary – Cairns/Townsville/Mackay

How would you like to join forces with an award winning university and industry partnership for a unique career-enhancing opportunity in marine science and environmental management?

James Cook University’s TropWATER and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) are offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for just two JCU students (undergraduate, honours or post-graduate) who are interested in participating in a marine science based university and industry internship placement program.

What’s on offer

  • A four-week industry-research placement with JCU and NQBP
  • A bursary of $2,000 to help fund flights/travel during the internship
  • One week accommodation in Mackay will be covered by NQBP during the placement
  • Guidance from JCU and NQBP staff during a research and industry application experience. Dates are flexible but the internship will consist of four weeks generally during the semester breaks.

The good stuff

Applicants will gain:

  • Invaluable knowledge in field, laboratory, desktop and administrative skills within a research environment with the Seagrass and Coastal Ecology Group in Cairns and the Coastal Catchments and Water Quality Group in Townsville. These placements will take place over three weeks, with timing and location flexible depending on student location.
  • A one-week placement with NQBP in Mackay
  • Experience for a research and management career or a higher degree in marine biological sciences, as well as offering a unique opportunity to see how results of research are applied in management and operations within industry.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy

Value and payment of the bursary

    The successful applicant will receive:

  • A bursary of $2,000 to help fund flights/travel during the internship, paid in one instalment upon awarding, into recipient’s personal bank account.
  • A three-week industry-research placement with JCU and a one-week industry-research placement with NQBP.
  • One week paid accommodation in Mackay, covered by NQBP during the placement.
  • Guidance from JCU and NQBP staff during a research and industry application experience.

Eligibility Criteria

The NQBP-TropWATER Internship Bursary is open to competition among candidates who:

  • Are either in second or third year of an undergraduate course, honours or post-graduate program, with a focus in marine and/or environmental studies, at James Cook University.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

  • Academic merit;
  • Written statement; and
  • Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the candidate has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official online application form and be received no later than the advertised close date.

  • A copy of your Academic Record
  • A copy of your Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages), including contact details for an academic referee
  • Written statement (maximum one page) describing:
    • Why you want participate in the program, and
    • What skills you can bring to TropWATER and NQBP.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the internship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

  • Dr Nathan Waltham, Principal Research Officer (TropWATER) (Chair), or nominee
  • Dr Michael Rasheed, Principal Research Scientist (TropWATER) or nominee;
  • Dr Paul York, Senior Research Officer (TropWATER) or nominee;
  • Ms Nicola Stokes, Senior Environmental Advisor, (NQBP) or nominee;
  • Another NQBP nominee (advised by Nicola Stokes);

The Selection committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the internship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

  • The recipient and donors are to organise the placement details.
  • Where the recipient fails to meet this requirement evidence of special circumstances must be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility.

Conditions of the Bursary

  • If the recipient defers their study prior to completing the internship, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
  • If the holder of the award does not meet the ongoing eligibility as specified in rules the student is required to submit a statement of reasons which will be reviewed by the selection panel.
  • A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Bursary

The bursary shall be administered by the Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by TropWATER.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.