Indigenous
FYA has supported young Indigenous Australians through a range of targeted initiatives, grants and scholarships over many years. In the past decade alone, we have facilitated the invesment of $15 million in these initiatives. Going forward, this support will increase as we drive a courageous agenda for change based on best evidence and in collaboration with national and international expertise.
Our strategic plan outlines a number of objectives that will be acted on:
- During 2009 we will determine the balance of Indigenous specific grant making and incorporate this approach into all efforts across FYA.
- Attract highly regarded Indigenous leaders to our staff and Board by December 2009.
- Develop partnerships that will leverage the collective knowledge, influence and expertise to benefit young Indigenous Australians.
- Support, develop and implement location-based initiatives that address areas of most need.
- Continue to engage Indigenous young people as participants in our Cityscape, Worlds of Work, ruMAD? and Opportunity Scholarship programs.
Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) offers scholarships and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Australians from remote or regional communities. The IYLP gives Indigenous young people the opportunity to study at high performing secondary schools or universities and benefit from practical leadership experiences, personal development and mentoring. This program is administered by FYA on behalf of the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Read more here
Robert Riley Scholarships
Managed by The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) since 1996, the Robert Riley Scholarships have promoted the pursuit of justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through supporting the education of young Indigenous people. Scholarships have been awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 years or under to enable them to pursue tertiary studies in the fields of law, legal practice, human rights, child protection, criminology and criminal or juvenile justice. The Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Trust provided funding for two 2009 scholarships. FYA provided funding for the other 2009 Robert Riley Scholarships.
Following a merger with the Education Foundation in mid-2008 FYA has undertaken a complete strategic review of all our activities and as a result will not be offering Robert Riley Scholarships in the future. We do however remain very committed to supporting those most in need, with a specific desire to understand and address the specific needs of young Indigenous Australians.
For more information about higher education scholarships for young Indigenous Australians go to:
My Future website.
There is also the 2009/10 edition of ‘The Indigenous students’ guide to post graduate scholarships in Australia and overseas ‘which includes over 120 postgraduate scholarships across all disciplines. Jointly published by the Aurora Project and the Charlie Perkins Trust for Children & Students, the guide is free of charge and can be ordered online through the Aurora Project website.
Click here to access the guide.
