Aboriginal people across New South Wales are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding under the NSW Aboriginal Languages Educational Scholarship Program, with applications opening in December.
Administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust (ALT), the program offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 to support Aboriginal individuals to undertake education, training or research related to the learning, teaching and revitalisation of Aboriginal languages.
The scholarships form part of the Aboriginal Languages Community Investment Program and align with the objectives of the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017, which recognises Aboriginal languages as a fundamental part of Aboriginal culture, knowledge and identity in NSW.
Established in October 2023, the Educational Scholarship Program aims to grow the number of Aboriginal language speakers, educators, teachers and researchers, while strengthening language knowledge within communities and ensuring it is passed on to future generations.
Applications for the 2025–26 funding round open at 9 am on Monday, 15 December 2025 and close at 5 pm on Friday, 23 January 2026.
Past recipients of the scholarship have already made a meaningful impact in their communities. Wanarruwa woman Donna Starr is currently pursuing a Master of Applied Linguistics at Charles Darwin University, using her studies to support language learning at a community level.
“The funding has allowed me to explore the linguistic side of our Language, so I can help the Community understand and learn it better,” Ms Starr said. With the support of the scholarship, she has been able to balance her studies with work and community responsibilities, focusing on phonetics and orthography and contributing to the development of a Certificate II in Wanarruwa.
Gumbaynggirr man Stephen Norman is another scholarship recipient using his funding to support early childhood language education. A room leader at an Aboriginal preschool, Mr Norman has created engaging language-based songs to inspire young learners.
“The Educational Scholarship has empowered me to bring my vision to life, creating resources that make learning easier and more engaging for children,” he said. One of his songs, Waaruunga Jaalija, has become a valuable teaching tool in the classroom.
Funding through the program can be used for a wide range of study-related expenses, depending on the funding tier. These may include tuition fees, books and learning resources, specialist equipment, transport, technology and some on-campus costs. Multi-year funding of up to two years is available for approved courses or research projects.
Applications are submitted online via the SmartyGrants system, with only one application permitted per person per funding round. Support is available for applicants who may face barriers due to disability, remoteness, limited internet access or other challenges.
More information, including program guidelines and application details, are available on the Aboriginal Languages Trust website. Applicants can also contact ALT on 1300 036 406 or email grants@alt.nsw.gov.au for assistance.
The NSW Aboriginal Languages Educational Scholarship Program continues to play a vital role in supporting individuals who are helping keep Aboriginal languages strong, living and growing across NSW.