Autism Studies Scholarship

An inclusive education experience for all students requires teachers to be equipped with the knowledge to support all students including learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

In 2012, the department offered state school teachers the opportunity to gain postgraduate qualifications in autism studies through the Autism Studies Scholarship program.

Up to 90 scholarships have been made available by the department for studies commencing from Semester 2, 2012.

Initially 30 scholarships were awarded for studies commencing in Semester 2, 2012, and a further 30 for studies commencing in Semester 1, 2013.

An additional 30 scholarships are now available for studies commencing in Semester 2, 2013.

The scholarships would benefit teachers who have a genuine interest in gaining or maintaining skills and knowledge in teaching students with ASDs, including school clusters or groups of teachers within a school.

Scholarship support and conditions

Autism Studies Scholarship recipients are required to complete the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies through the Autism Centre of Excellence at Griffith University.

The department will provide recipients with a range of support directly related to their studies, including:

payment of fees associated with enrolment in the graduate certificate program;
travel and kilometric allowances related to attendance at compulsory residential schools where required; and
support and assistance from mentors and principals.

Scholarship applicants must meet the specified eligibility criteria and be willing to commit to the scholarship conditions, including successfully completing the Graduate Certificate program in the required timeframe, and continuing to teach in Queensland state schools for a minimum of two years on a full time or part time basis, after completing the study program.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Autism Studies Scholarship, individuals must:

be employed (full or part time) as a teacher in a Queensland state school in a permanent capacity
have a genuine wish to gain or maintain skills and knowledge in teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
hold current teacher registration as a teacher in Queensland with the Queensland College of Teachers
be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status
meet the university admissions requirements of the Graduate Certificate program.

Application process

All applicants must complete the Autism Studies Scholarship application form 368k (Assistance with opening a PDF document) and provide the requested supporting documentation including:

Applicant's Supporting Statement - outlining their personal and professional reasons for wanting to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies and details of their leadership and capacity to lead pedagogical change with the school and wider educational community; and
Principal's Supporting Statement - demonstrating their support for the applicant to undertake the scholarship program and their ability to effectively apply the subsequent learning within the school and wider educational community.

Detailed information about the Application process, required statements and a guide on addressing the prescribed criteria is provided in the Autism Studies Scholarship guidelines. 161k (Assistance with opening a PDF document)

Enquiries and further information

Specific enquiries may be emailed to scholarships.

Applications for 2013 have closed.

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This page was last reviewed on 11 Mar 2013