The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program Scholarship

The fund

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is committed to promoting and supporting the highest quality space activities in Australia and to driving progress in education, research and innovation.

A key part of our mission is to create educational opportunities for Australian students and researchers and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Fund has been established for this purpose. The Foundation is inviting applications for financial assistance in the form of scholarships, awards and prizes for high school and tertiary students.

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation was incorporated in July 2020 as a not-for-profit company governed by a board of directors with power to receive grants and donations and to provide financial support for programs and projects consistent with its objects.

The Foundation is committed to driving progress at a national level in education, research and innovation. The Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Fund provides financial assistance for deserving projects to deserving young Australians. The aims of the Education Fund are:

To support space education and outreach in Australia
To inspire young people to pursue careers in space by building a culture of entrepreneurship and igniting a curiosity for space and related scientific activities
To improve the knowledge and develop skills of potential founders of space-related enterprises.
To improve the employability of young people in the space sector and to facilitate students and young graduates to find jobs related to their skills.

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people. We recognise that diversity is essential in contributing to the success of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Fund. Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTIQ+ community, people living with disability and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, are encouraged to apply.

The program

The Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP) is an intensive, four-week program involving the international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary educational philosophy for which the International Space University (ISU) is renowned. Open to qualified Australian and international participants from all disciplines, the thirteenth SHSSP will be conducted on campus from 13 January to 7 February 2025.

Conducted jointly by the International Space University (a non-profit university headquartered in Strasbourg France) and the University of South Australia, the program is attended by:

Professionals and managers in industry, government and the defence services
Graduate researchers
Undergraduate students who have completed two years of full-time studies

The program provides a well-rounded overview of the key principles and concepts in:

space science and exploration
space applications and services
human spaceflight and life sciences
space systems engineering and technologies
space policy, economics & law
space humanities, communications, art & culture
space business and project management

The SHSSP is tailored to delivering cutting-edge knowledge relevant to industry professionals in space organisations, government and the defence services, educators, graduate researchers and undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of study.

The scholarship benefits

The Andy Thomas Scholarship covers the full cost of one on campus program attendance fee of $17,000, for the 2025 Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program held between 13 January and 7 February 2025.

Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria listed below, and scholarships will be awarded to the applicants whose applications address the award criteria best.

Who is eligible to apply?

University graduates and undergraduates who have successfully completed two years of their studies at the time of the program:

Australian citizens and permanent residents
who have applied and been accepted for enrolment in the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program and
who do not have financial support to attend the program from their employer or other sponsor

Special consideration will be given to female applicants and applicants with an indigenous background and/or from rural or regional areas.

Selection criteria

A selection committee will review enrolment documents and select the scholarship awardee. The selection committee will consist of representatives of the Foundation, ISU and UniSA. The Selection Committee will select the scholarship awardee taking into account:

the applicant's motivation to forge a career in a space-related field in Australia
the applicant's academic performance and/or qualifications; and
the applicant's financial circumstances

To be valid, applications must be lodged before midnight on the scholarship closing date.

Documentation required

All applications will be evaluated based on the information and supporting documents lodged as part of the ISU online program application process at www.isunet.edu/apply-shssp/

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must include the Andy Thomas Space Foundation SHSSP Scholarship Application Form (downloadable below) within their ISU online program application.

Please note, all eligible applicants, including those who have already enrolled, will be automatically considered unless an applicant specifically requests not to be considered by sending an email to www.isunet.edu/contact-us/

Andy Thomas Space Foundation SHSSP Scholarship Application Form

Conditions of award of scholarship

The scholarship awardee agrees to submit a 500-word written report to the Foundation at the conclusion of the SHSSP describing the program and how they believe the SHSSP will help them in their future careers in the space sector or a related high-tech sector in Australia.

The scholarship awardee agrees to assist the Foundation and the program organisers in the promotion of the program, including contributing to interviews, testimonials, delivering presentations, media, and social media activities, if requested.

Publicity

Foundation reserves the right to publish information about successful applicants as set out in the winner’s enrolment documents.

Deadline for applications

31 October 2024.

Notification

The awardees of the scholarship will be notified no later than 15 November 2024.