Each year since 1989, RSPCA Australia has offered the RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship to students for the funding of original research aimed at improving the welfare of animals in Australia. In 2004, the RSPCA expanded its scholarship program and now offers two types of scholarships, one for research into general animal welfare issues, and another for specific projects aimed at improving the welfare of production animals.

The RSPCA Australia scholarships are intended to encourage students to take an active interest in animal welfare issues, to support animal welfare research that might not otherwise attract funding, and to promote the objectives of the RSPCA within the research community.

Click here for information on previous scholarship recipients and their projects

Through the scholarship program, RSPCA Australia has supported many interesting and valuable research projects on a variety of animal welfare issues. From 2005 RSPCA Australia has asked scholarship recipients to provide a report on the progress of their research. The progress reports of the recipients of the Alan White Scholarship and the Scholarship for Humane Animal Research can also be accessed from the above link.

RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship for Animal Welfare Research

The RSPCA Australia Alan White Scholarship for Animal Welfare Research was established in 1989 to advance the cause of animal welfare in Australia. The scholarship is named after Mr Alan White, a past President of RSPCA Australia and a past President of RSPCA Queensland. The Alan White Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students in Australian tertiary institutions for the funding of original research aimed at improving the welfare of animals in Australia. The 2008 scholarship award will be for $7,360 and can be used towards any area of research that fits the general scholarship criteria.

RSPCA Australia Scholarship for Humane Animal Production Research

This scholarship category is available for individual research projects that are related to the development of humane alternative animal production systems. These awards are funded by the royalties accrued from RSPCA Australia accreditation of animal production systems. The 2008 scholarship award will be for $7,360 and is available to full-time or part-time students in Australian tertiary institutions. Applications can be made for research involving any livestock animal, but projects relating to alternative housing and husbandry systems for pigs and poultry are particularly encouraged.

Scholarship criteria

The following general criteria apply to applications for either type of award:

1. Applications should be for a discrete research project (which may or may not form part of a larger research program).
    
2. Applicants must demonstrate in their application that their proposed research project is supportive of the policies of RSPCA Australia and will be used to further animal welfare in Australia. All current policies can be viewed on the RSPCA Australia website at www.rspca.org.au (follow the ‘policies’ link).
    
3. Applicants must be enrolled in full-time or part-time education in an accredited course at an Australian University or College in the year their application is considered.
    
4. The Scholarships are not restricted to any particular academic discipline. However, applicants demonstrating a major commitment to and/or involvement with animal welfare issues are strongly favoured.

Scholarship conditions

1. Reports
   
   Recipients are required to submit annual progress reports (for projects that take more than one year to complete) and a final report on the nominated research project to RSPCA Australia. Reports must be submitted in electronic format by the end of August each year, or within three weeks of completion of the project. The report should comprise a plain English summary of the work completed to date (500-600 words) with particular emphasis on the animal welfare implications of the project. Final reports should take the same form but may also be accompanied by other documents, such as relevant papers based on the project or a copy of the related thesis.
    
2. Photographs
   
   Recipients should also submit up to five relevant photos that can be used by RSPCA Australia to promote the scholarship and the project, including at least one of the recipient in a setting reflective of the project. Electronic images in JPG format are preferred.
    
3. Distribution of reports and images
   
   RSPCA Australia retains all rights to reproduce and distribute summary reports and images submitted for the purpose of promoting the scholarship and the project.
    
4. Acknowledgement
   
   Recipients are required to acknowledge their Scholarship in any future publications arising from the funded research project. The wording for this acknowledgement should include the full scholarship title.

Application information

Application forms for the RSPCA Australia Scholarships can be downloaded here or can be mailed on request from the RSPCA Australia office.

Download scholarship application form (word document)
Download scholarship application form (PDF document)

Applications for the 2008-2009 Scholarships close on Friday 29th August 2008. Applicants will be notified of the results of the assessment process by the end of October 2008

Completed applications should be forwarded either by mail or email to:

Mail: Chief Scientist
RSPCA Australia
PO Box 265
Deakin West ACT 2600

email: science@rspca.org.au

If you require further information please contact RSPCA Australia at rspca@rspca.org.au or phone (02) 6282 8300, fax (02) 6282 8311.