NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant

NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant is open for you to apply if you:

• Are enrolled in one of the following degrees:
  • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Science, majors: Aquaculture Science and Technology, Data Science, Environmental Earth Science, Geology, Marine Biology, and Zoology and Ecology
  • Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management, majors: Biodiversity Assessment and Management, Land and Water Management, Coast to Coral, People in Place
  • Bachelor of Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Business and Environmental Science and/or
  • Dual degrees with one of the above.
• Are enrolled full time. (Minimum 18 credit points per academic year).
• Have a home address in the Whitsunday Regional Council Local Government Area (LGA)  (Post codes: 4798 to 4805, if post code not in this range but you believe you live in the Whitsunday LGA, please provide evidence).
• Agree to participate in placement at NQXT and in publicity including photos and videos.
• Agree that the Funder can have your contact details and contact you regarding the placement and promotion of the scholarship.

$4,545 lump sum payment upon awarding to support placement opportunity at NQXT. Please allow up to 4 weeks for payment.

Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents to their application form.

• Academic record (JCU or Year 12);
• Proof of home address in the eligible Whitsunday Local Government Area (LGA) (Post codes:
  4798 to 4805, if the post code is not in this range, but you believe you live in the Whitsunday
  LGA, please provide evidence.;
• Three written references (no more than 400 words) that demonstrate how the 
  applicant meets the selection criteria; and
• Written statement of approx. 500 words discussing:
  o Why the applicant is applying for the scholarship;
  o The applicant’s academic and career goals; and
  o The applicant’s connection to the Whitsunday region.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation 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 scholarship, 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 university 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.

Introduction

NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant The aim of the NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant (the Scholarship) is to support the next generation of Whitsunday locals to pursue higher education and a career in the resources sector.

The Scholarship is designed for students enrolled in relevant undergraduate degrees - including Environmental Science, Marine Science, Geology, Data Science, and related fields - who have both strong academic potential and a desire to give back to their community.

Scholarship recipients will receive financial assistance to alleviate the costs of studying full-time, as well as undertake a work placement at the North Queensland Export Terminal to gain hands-on industry exposure, mentorship, and invaluable networking opportunities.

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

Value and payment of the Grant

$4,545 lump sum payment upon awarding to support placement opportunity at NQXT. Please allow up to 4 weeks for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant is open for you to apply if you:

• Are enrolled in one of the following degrees:
  • Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Science, majors: Aquaculture Science and Technology, Data Science, Environmental Earth Science, Geology, Marine Biology, and Zoology and Ecology
  • Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management, majors: Biodiversity Assessment and Management, Land and Water Management, Coast to Coral, People in Place
  • Bachelor of Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Business and Environmental Science and/or
  • Dual degrees with one of the above.
• Are enrolled full time. (Minimum 18 credit points per academic year).
• Have a home address in the Whitsunday Regional Council Local Government Area (LGA)  (Post codes: 4798 to 4805, if post code not in this range but you believe you live in the Whitsunday LGA, please provide evidence).
• Agree to participate in placement at NQXT and in publicity including photos and videos.
• Agree that the Funder can have your contact details and contact you regarding the placement and promotion of the scholarship.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee shall, in the exercise of its absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following
criteria:

• Academic merit (25%);
• Commitment to a career in the resources industry (25%);
• Future intention is to live and work in Central Queensland once their studies have been completed and /or their
  career has been established (20%); and
• Connection to communities in the Whitsunday region – i.e. went to primary and/or secondary school or if
  went to Boarding school outside the region, they are still involved in community activities and/or connected to the community via clubs/charities, community organisation or immediate/ extended family live in the area and are active members of the community (30%)

Application Procedures

Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents to their application form.

• Academic record (JCU or Year 12);
• Proof of home address in the eligible Whitsunday Local Government Area (LGA) (Post codes:
  4798 to 4805, if the post code is not in this range, but you believe you live in the Whitsunday
  LGA, please provide evidence.;
• Three written references (no more than 400 words) that demonstrate how the 
  applicant meets the selection criteria; and
• Written statement of approx. 500 words discussing:
  o Why the applicant is applying for the scholarship;
  o The applicant’s academic and career goals; and
  o The applicant’s connection to the Whitsunday region.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation 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 scholarship, 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 university academic institution.

Selection Process

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

• JCU Representative (Chair); and
• Funder Representative (2).

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

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 Scholarship awardee.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• The student must be enrolled full-time.
• The student must participate in the placement/internship program with NQXT; and
• The student must submit an annual impact report after placement is complete.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Complaints Policy and Procedures.

Administration of the Scholarship

1. The scholarship shall be administered by the Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.
2. The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by Scholarships Office.
3. 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.