Teresa Morse MSS Scholarship 2026

Supporting education and leadership in theology, particularly in response to Vatican II

The Teresa Morse MSS Scholarship, made possible by the generous support of the Missionary Sisters of Service, provides support worth up to $23,000 annually to a postgraduate student at the University of Divinity. The Scholarship is normally available for a fixed period of two years. The purpose of the scholarship is to support theological education and pastoral leadership in Australia that is consonant with the vision of the Second Vatican Council.

In 2026 the Scholarship will provide the recipient’s tuition fees for postgraduate study at the University of Divinity ($20,000 full-time at 2026 rates) and a bursary of $3,000 annually, for a period of two years.

Criteria

1. The candidate must be eligible for admission to a postgraduate coursework award at the University of Divinity.
2. The candidate must have capacity to make a contribution to the future of theological education or pastoral leadership in Australia that is consonant with the vision of the Second Vatican Council.
3. Preference may be given to candidates who:
   • are enrolling through Yarra Theological Union or Catholic Theological College
   • are intending to study full-time
   • are under the age of 40 years
   • have not previously studied at the University of Divinity.

Consideration may be given to candidates seeking to study part-time or to undertake doctoral studies.

How to apply

Please complete the (online) scholarship application form available below. 

In addition to the application form details, applicants must submit:

• A statement of up to 500 words responding to the criteria and explaining their intended postgraduate course of study for the next two years.
• A letter of support from an Academic Dean or equivalent, confirming that the student meets the eligibility criteria for the proposed postgraduate course of study.

Applications close on Friday 19 December 2025. The outcome of the award will be announced at the end of January 2026.

Further information

Selection of the scholarship recipient is decided by the Missionary Sisters of Service Scholarship Committee. Short-listed applicants may be requested to attend an interview.

At the conclusion of the scholarship term, the scholarship holder is required to submit a closing activity report to the Missionary Sisters of Service Scholarship Committee. Opportunities may be made available for scholarship recipients to meet with the Missionary Sisters of Service.

Enquiries may be directed to the University Secretary, Ms Hannah Hornsby at hhornsby@divinity.edu.au 

About the Missionary Sisters of Service

The Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) story is a uniquely Australian narrative. The MSS acknowledge as the founder Fr John Corcoran Wallis, a pastoral and visionary priest of the Archdiocese of Hobart, Tasmania. They also acknowledge the courage and faithfulness of the first four MSS women who came together in Launceston on 8 July 1944, Alice Carroll, Gwen Morse, Kathleen Moore and Joyce O’Brien. Since then, the Missionary Sisters of Service have lived and worked in outreach to people in many parts of urban, rural and outback Australia.

Sr Teresa Marie (Gwen) Morse MSS (1906 – 1989) was born in Devonport, Tasmania, and lived and worked in Burnie before her calling at the age of 34 in response to Fr Wallis’ vision of a new Australian religious congregation. She was a woman with a deep contemplative visionary spirit but eminent practicality. She may well be regarded as the MSS co-founder. The first to offer herself for Fr Wallis’ vision of a new Australian religious congregation, she was able to give it a distinctive feminine expression. She was the first elected member to be the congregational leader in 1956. She is remembered as a generous, wise, inspirational woman of grace and dignity, with an ability to draw out the best in people.