The Ivor Frederick Church Bursary provides financial assistance for postgraduate study – especially Higher Degree by Research – within Australia or Overseas to a student at St Francis College.
Applications are due by 30 November 2024.
The late Reverend Canon Ivor Frederick Church was Principal of St Francis’ Theological College in Brisbane from 1951 to 1981. He opened the College up to the Diocese, permitting lay people to study there, forming a postulants’ guild, hosting conferences, and frequently preaching and lecturing outside. During this time it was recognised that married ordinands needed to have an accepted place in college life and accommodation was built for this purpose, now known as the Ivor Church Units.
Guidelines for the Application and Distribution of Bequest Income
The Ministry Education Commission decided (August 2024) to focus the distribution of the Ivor Church bursary towards encouraging St Francis College alumni to enrol in higher degree by research awards. Priority will be given to applications for the payment of research student fees for doctoral programs with the University of Divinity. Consideration will also be given to covering the student fees for a Minor Thesis as part of another award such as the Graduate Certificate in Research Methods or the Masters of Theology. In keeping with the original intent of the will, it is also possible to apply for bursaries for courses and conferences held overseas.
Category 1: Research Student Fee Payment Bursary
To receive a Research Student Fee Payment Bursary, the research student needs to provide a copy of their proposal and evidence of their admission to a doctoral program with the University of Divinity. To ensure coverage of the student fees, fulltime HDR students may apply for a bursary of up to $20 000 a year, and parttime HDR students for a bursary of up to $10 000.
The annual fees for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy at 2025 rates:
$19, 608 for full time study (3 years for a PhD, 1.5 years for a M.Phil).
$ 9, 804 for part-time study (up to 8 years for a PhD, up to 4 years for a M.Phil)
See the full list of 2025 Tuition Fees
Successful applicants for a research student fee payment bursary in 2025 may receive fee funding for subsequent years following a review of progress each year.
Category 2: Contribution to Minor Thesis Unit Enrolment
Students may apply for a $5000 bursary to contribute to the cost of enrolling in a Minor Thesis undertaken as part of another award such as Graduate Certificate in Research Methods or in the Masters of Theology. Applicants need to provide their minor thesis proposal for consideration.
Category 3: Overseas Study Scholarships (Conferences and Short Courses)
To apply for funding for an overseas study experience, such as participating in “the Canterbury Course” the applicant must explain the value of the course and how both they and the Anglican Church Southern Queensland would benefit from them attending.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current or former student of St Francis (Theological) College residing in the Province of Queensland at the time of application.
The applicant must have capacity to contribute to the future of Australian theological scholarship and education.
Applicants need to provide documentation for one of the following:
- course admission into a higher degree research program at the University of Divinity.
- a Minor Thesis proposal, or
- the registration information or application form for an overseas course or conference.
Successful applicants for research fee scholarships must be enrolled to study in 2025, and bursaries for overseas courses and conferences must be scheduled for the 2025 calendar year.
More info and how to apply
St Francis College is the provider of theological education and formation for ordination for the Anglican Church Southern Queensland.
University of Divinity
School of Graduate Research
Trinity College Theological School
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