Scholarships
NIDA Scholarships are open to future students and enrolled students. Most scholarships are allocated based on financial need.
Please scroll down to see the full list of scholarships.
First Nation scholarships are funded by the following very generous supporters:
- The Balnaves Foundation – Principal Patron – First Nation Program
- ARA Group Limited, NIDA’s Principal Partner for Property and Services,
- Tim Fairfax AC
- The Chrysanthy and Tessa Mallos Memorial Scholarships.
- Dr Eric Wegman
NIDA is grateful for their support of scholarships and funding towards NIDA’s education and training.
Student Spotlight - Michiru Encinas
Meet Michiru Encinas, 2021 YouTube Scholarship recipient, and hear about her journey to NIDA and her experience in the Bachelor or Fine Arts Costume program so far.
Student Spotlight - Bakri Mohamed
Meet Bakri Mohamed, 2022 YouTube Scholarship recipient, and hear about his journey to NIDA and his experience in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program so far.
Future Students' Scholarships
The Future Student Scholarships are for individuals applying to study at NIDA in 2023. Once you have auditioned or interviewed and reached the second round, you will receive information on how to apply for the Future Scholarships. If you have any questions please email applications@nida.edu.au
Future Student Scholarships are paid to students on a fortnightly basis. They are awarded for one year or multiple years depending on the terms of the Scholarship.
Please note these scholarships are only available for domestic applicants (those who are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, a citizen of New Zealand or the holder of an Australian humanitarian visa).
NIDA is committed to building a diverse community of students and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and people with a disability.
View 2023 Future Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Amount | When to apply? |
| The Balnaves Foundation First Nations Scholarship |
Applicants to any 2023 BFA for a First Nations student experiencing financial need. $90,000 paid over three years ($30,000 per year) This scholarship includes: * mentoring with a First Nations Arts Industry mentor for each scholarship recipient * additional travel home if required * funding for an arranged On Country experience for each scholarship recipient one time during their study * a Paid Internship for each of the scholarship recipients at the successful conclusion of their study. | $90,000.00 ($30,000.00 per year) | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Ingham's First Nations Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) or MFA (Directing) who are Australian First Nations and experiencing financial need. It includes the opportunity for a paid internship after graduation. | $30,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Directing) or MFA (Writing for Performance) student in financial need | $30,000.00
| Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Margaret Kirby Scholarship | Applicants to any BFA for a student experiencing financial need ($50,000 paid over 3 years) | $50,000.00 ($16,666.67 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| The YouTube Scholarship | Applicants to BFA from a background historically underrepresented in the screen and stage industry ($43,500 paid over 3 years) | $43,500.00 (14,500.00 per year) | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| The Helen Dumbrell Scholarship | Applicants to BFA (Acting) for a student experiencing financial need ($30,000 paid over 3 years) | $30,000.00 ($10,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Edward Federman Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) for a female student who identifies as Indigenous or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) | $10,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Edward Federman Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) for a student experiencing financial need | $10,000.00
| Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship | Applicants to BFA (Acting) for a student in financial need who is from remote or regional Australia. This scholarship totals $45,000 paid over 3 years | $45,000.00 ($15,000.00 per year) | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Directing) student who identifies as Indigenous or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) | $15,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Finch Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Directing) | $15,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Finch Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) | $15,000.00
| Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Finch Scholarship | Applicants to 3rd year student enrolled in BFA (Design) | $15,000.00
| Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Technical Direction Company Scholarship | Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services students experiencing financial need | $15,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
View 2023 Future First Nations Students' Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Amount | When to apply? |
| The Balnaves Foundation First Nations Scholarship | Applicants to any 2023 BFA for a First Nations student experiencing financial need. $90,000 paid over three years ($30,000 per year) This scholarship includes: * mentoring with a First Nations Arts Industry mentor for each scholarship recipient * additional travel home if required * funding for an arranged On Country experience for each scholarship recipient one time during their study * a Paid Internship for each of the scholarship recipients at the successful conclusion of their study. | $30,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Ingham's First Nations Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) or MFA (Directing) who are Australian First Nations and experiencing financial need. It includes the opportunity for a paid internship after graduation. | $30,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
| Edward Federman Scholarship | Applicants to MFA (Writing for Performance) for a female student who identifies as Indigenous or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) | $10,000.00 | Once you make it through to Round Two |
Enrolled Students’ Scholarships
In 2022, approximately $600,000 worth of NIDA Scholarships, including Indigenous Scholarships, were available to assist enrolled students with living expenses and/or tuition fees.
Enrolled students' scholarships are paid to students on a fortnightly basis. They are awarded for one year or multiple years depending on the terms of the Scholarship.
Details of the scholarship application process are provided to students at the start of the NIDA academic year. If you have any questions please email education@nida.edu.au
View 2023 Enrolled Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Individual amount |
| Tim Fairfax AC Scholarship x6 | BFA or MFA student with financial need from remote or regional Australia $10,000 | $10,000.00 |
| The ARA Group Scholarship x3 | BFA or MFA Indigenous students with financial need | $10,000.00 |
| John Grill AO and Rosie Williams Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $10,000.00 |
| David Cielak Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Roy and Sandy Abrams Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| David & Cathy Harris Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $10,000.00 |
| Sandra and Barry Smorgon Family Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $7,500.00 |
| David and Lorraine Winterbottom Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $7,500.00 |
| The Laidlaw Foundation Scholarships | BFA or MFA students with financial need | $7,000.00 |
| The June Penn Scholarship | One female BFA (Acting) students with financial need | $6,000.00 |
| The Frank Thring Scholarship x4 | Scholarship for a BFA or MFA for one female and one male student based on skill expertise and achievements | $6,000.00 |
| The Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship | BFA or MFA student with financial need | $6,000.00 |
| Shanahan Management Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $6,000.00 |
| Anonymous Donor Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| James & Melissa Marshall Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Garry McQuinn Scholarship | Applicant to BFA, Technical Theatre and Stage Management student experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Kate Davy Memorial Scholarship | Supporting BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students with priority given to a female student from regional area | $5,000.00 |
| The Dawn O'Donnell Scholarship x6 | Supporting women students in BFA, Technical Theatre and Stage Management student demonstrating financial need or Directing students | $5,000.00 |
| The Ben Gannon AO Scholarship x3 | BFA or MFA student based on financial need for 1 year | $5,000.00 |
| The Helpmann Family Foundation Scholarships x8 | BFA or MFA students demonstrating financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Scholarship | BFA or MFA students demonstrating financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA student demonstrating financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Michelle Brooks and Andrew Michael Scholarship | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| Mel Gibson and Village Roadshow scholarships x2 | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000.00 |
| The June Baker Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $5,000.00 |
| Lisa Hamilton & Rob White Scholarship | Supporting BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) or MFA Directing student | $5,000.00 |
| Donald & Leslie Parsonage Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $5,000.00 |
| Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $5,000.00 |
| Quintin & Donella Freeman Scholarship | BFA or MFA students with financial needs | $4,500.00 |
| The Geoff Richards Memorial Scholarship x3 | Supporting BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students with financial need | $4,000.00 |
| The J.G. Reynolds memorial Scholarship x6 | MFA and BFA students aged under 25 years old | $4,000.00 |
| The Prof Ross Steele AM Scholarships | BFA or MFA student demonstrating financial need | $4,000.00 |
| Tracie Cielak Scholarship | BFA or MFA student demonstrating financial need | $3,500.00 |
| Alex & Rosie Linden Scholarship | BFA or MFA student demonstrating financial need | $3,000.00 |
| The Cowled Foundation Scholarships x3 | BFA (Design for Performance) students, with a priority given to young women from rural Australia experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| John and Renay Robinson Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Professor Nadia Badawi AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,500.00 |
| Garry McQuinn Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,250.00 |
| Dr Elizabeth More AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,200.00 |
| Catherine McDonnell Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| The Gillespie/Price Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Hand Up Foundation Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Anonymous Donor Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Richard and Barbara Refshauge Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000.00 |
| Maria Trinci Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Cassandra Muller Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Bridget O'Brien Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Noel & Hetty Cislowski Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Colin Fong Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,500.00 |
| Ted Blamey Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,200.00 |
| Dr David Dossetor and Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,200.00 |
| David Marshall Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| Janine Allis Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| David Craig Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| Ballard Property Group Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| Helena Harris Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
| Sara & Martyn Roberts Scholarship | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000.00 |
View 2023 Enrolled First Nations Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Individual amount |
| The ARA Group Scholarship x3 | BFA or MFA Indigenous students with financial need | $10,000.00 |
Thank you to our supporters
NIDA Scholarships and Fellowship are made possible through the generosity of donors, Trusts and Foundations, Corporate Partners, and bequests through the NIDA Foundation Trust.
Indigenous student scholarships receives support from The Balnaves Foundation - Principal Patron, First Nations Program, ARA Group Limited, NIDA’s Principal Partner for Property and Services, Tim Fairfax AC, Screen Australia and The Chrysanthy and Tessa Mallos Memorial Scholarship. NIDA is grateful for their support of scholarships and funding towards NIDA’s education and training.