In 2025, NIDA will provide over a million dollars in student financial assistance across 104 unique scholarships thanks to the vital support of its generous donors.
The Balnaves Foundation, ARA, Tim Fairfax AC, YouTube, Prime Video, Daughters of Penelope (AHEPA Australia), Ingham’s and Animal Logic Entertainment along with new partner the Dylan Alcott Foundation have all pledged to support NIDA students from a diverse community to undertake world-class training.
“NIDA is immensely grateful to our scholarship partners for this crucial support. These life-changing scholarships will enable talented creative students who may not have had the financial means to undertake intensive industry-ready learning,” said NIDA CEO, Liz Hughes.
The extensive range of scholarships will provide support to students pursuing degrees in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services, and Master of Fine Arts (MFA), by helping to cover essential living expenses and fees, with some offering travel costs, mentorship and paid traineeships at the completion of study. These scholarships include:
The Balnaves Foundation Principal Patron First Nations Program
The Balnaves Foundation continues its vital support of First Nations students by extending its commitment to an incoming BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need for the next three years. The annual scholarship (with a total value of $102,000) includes mentoring with a First Nations Arts Industry mentor, additional travel home if required, funding for an arranged On-Country experience during their study and a paid internship at the successful conclusion of their study.
Prime Video Scholarships
These two Life-Changing Scholarships valued at $50,000 each will return in 2025 to support MFA (Directing or Dramatic Writing) students who are women and/or nonbinary with intersectional backgrounds, including but not limited to gender identity, cultural identity, people with a disability, or people within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Chrysanthy and Tessa Mallos Memorial Scholarship
With support from Daughters of Penelope (AHEPA Australia), this scholarship supports a BFA Design student of Hellenic (Greek) or First Nations background experiencing financial need with a value of $52,000.
Tim Fairfax AC Scholarships
With numerous scholarships on offer, Tim Fairfax continues to generously support BFA students and MFA students who reside in regional or remote areas and are experiencing financial need. These include Life Changing Scholarships of $45,000 for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) and $20,000 for a Master of Fine Arts (Directing) students.
YouTube Scholarship
Thanks to Google, YouTube are again supporting a BFA student of a historically underrepresented background in the stage and screen industry to a value of $45,000 over three years.
ARA First Nations Scholarship
ARA continue their generous support of NIDA including a 3-year scholarship valued at $45,000 for a BFA First Nations student experiencing financial need.
Ingham’s First Nations Scholarships
Ingham’s will continue their generous support with two scholarships for MFA Directing or Dramatic Writing First Nations students valued at $30,000 each with an additional $8,000 towards a paid Industry placement at the end of their course.
Animal Logic Entertainment Scholarship
Animal Logic Entertainment are again supporting a Master of Fine Arts (Writing or Directing) Scholarship for a student who is traditionally underrepresented in the industry in financial need.
NIDA also thanks all other donors for their support for Life-Changing Scholarships including Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron, Andrew Michael and Michele Brooks.
These are just some of the NIDA scholarships which are made possible through the generosity of donors, trusts and foundations, corporate partners, and bequests through the NIDA Foundation Trust to support the next generation of Australian storytellers.
Applicants must first apply to their course of choice, and then apply for a Scholarship. Applications to NIDA close 14 October. For more information about NIDA Scholarships and to apply, visit: www.nida.edu.au for details.
To enquire about donating to NIDA and/or providing a scholarship, please email: development@nida.edu.au.
Image: NIDA Scholarship Recipients 2024 – photo by Phil Erbacher