Jack Keating Fund Scholarship

Key scholarship details

Application status

Open for applications

Applications open

29 May 2026

Applications close

28 Jun 2026

Benefit amount

Up to $14,500

Eligible study level

Graduate research

Eligible student type

Domestic students

Eligible study stage

Future study, Current study

Benefit duration

One-off

Summary

The Jack Keating Fund Scholarship supports research students of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education who are pursuing policy research in the field of education, where the research is likely to impact on greater equality of opportunity and education outcomes and the advancement of social justice. This scholarship is awarded in the memory of Professor Jack Keating, who was a specialist in post compulsory education and training, most noted for his contribution to education policy and debates.

About the donor

Professor Jack Keating completed a bachelor of Economics at Monash University in 1970 and a diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne in 1972. Between 1972 and 1983, he taught in secondary schools and in the technical and further education sector in Australia, England and Scotland. He received his PhD from the Institute of Education in London in 1999.

Professor Keating was a specialist in post compulsory education and training, most noted for his contribution to education policy and debates. His work combined formal roles in advising departments of education around Australia and organisations such as the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority. These roles included senior adviser to the Victorian government education minister and the Victorian premier (1989-92), with responsibility for policy advice on youth, education and training, and deputy chairman to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board (1987-88).

Professor Keating also contributed to research and scholarship on the international stage, including work for the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Labour Organisation, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and UNESCO.

Professor Keating died on 21 July 2012 and, following his passing, the University, in conjunction with the Jack Keating Fund Advisory Committee, conducted a public appeal in his memory, to commemorate his contribution to education policy and research.

Benefits

Up to $14,500 for one year

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
be a current or prospective research student (with at least a year of candidature remaining as at the closing date) of the Faculty of Education (previously Melbourne Graduate School of Education)
be pursuing policy research in the field of education where the research is likely to impact on greater equality of opportunity and education outcomes and the advancement of social justice

Selection criteria

Eligible applicants will be assessed on the merit of their application, taking into consideration academic merit, impact and worthiness of the research proposal

Application

How to apply

Completion of application via the online application form (the application form will be available when the scholarship opens)
Applications are ranked by the selection committee which consists of four academics and a member of the Keating family
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview
Supervisors may be contacted

The following information will be required as part of the online application:

Contact details of the applicant
Enrolment details (course name, enrolment date or expected commencement date, expected completion date, full-time or part-time status)
Name of supervisor/prospective supervisor
Title of research
Research summary
Research project description (focus on aims and significance expressed in plain language)
Research program impact (focus on potential deliverables and/or outcomes expressed in plain language)
Previous tertiary qualifications
Track record –maximum 2 page CV that includes:
- research and/or relevant professional experience
- relevant research publications
- prizes, awards and scholarships
- other relevant research activities and achievement/any relevant interruptions to career and circumstances

For any questions regarding this scholarship please submit an enquiry here.

When will I know the outcome?

The decision will be made by 31 July, 2026.

Submit an application

Recipient feedback

Scholarship funding has also enabled me to present initial research findings from my PhD at national and international conferences. Exchanging ideas and receiving feedback on my work has allowed me to explore and apply new perspectives to my PhD research. It has also allowed me to establish myself within early childhood science education research networks.

Cristina Guarrella

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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