Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund Scholarships

The fund

The Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund commemorates the achievements of two distinguished South Australian pioneer aviators - Captain Sir Ross Smith K.B.E., M.C., D.F.C., A.F.C., and his brother Lieutenant Sir Keith Smith K.B.E. In 1986 Lady (Anita) Smith, widow of Sir Keith Smith, bequeathed her entire estate to the establishment of the Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund and directed that the income of the Fund be applied in perpetuity for ‘advancement in the State of South Australia of the science of aeronautics and of education therein’. Lady Smith recognised the need to stimulate local knowledge and innovation in aerospace technology. Her vision encompassed ‘each and every aspect of all means of human conveyance or transportation through the air and inner and outer space’.

The International Space University and Adelaide University thank Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund for its continuing support of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP). 

Find out more about the SHSSP

The scholarship benefits

Payment of a full scholarship for attendance at the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program from 12 January to 6 February 2026. 

The Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund provides scholarships in support of tuitions for the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2026.  Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria listed below, and scholarships will be awarded to the applicants whose applications address the award criteria best.  The number of scholarships is limited: potential participants are advised to continue to consider alternative sources of support in addition to applying to this fund.

Who is eligible to apply?

These scholarships will support SHSSP26 participants who are Australian residents and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Undergraduate students who are currently in the final two years of their undergraduate degree within the field of aviation or/and aeronautics or/and engineering who demonstrates strong interest in pursuing a career within aeronautics in South Australia; or/and
• Graduate Researchers currently pursuing a postgraduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in aviation or/and aeronautics (or/and engineering who demonstrates strong interest in pursuing a career within aeronautics) in South Australia; or/and
• Current and future participants in the industry within the South Australian aviation or/and aeronautics sector; or/and
• Able to demonstrate financial need and currently meet the entry criteria of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program; or/and
• Committed to continue to work in South Australia or seek employment in South Australia;

While applications are welcome from all states, preference will be given to applicants based in South Australia.

Selection criteria

The Selection Committee will select the scholarship winners taking into account:

• Motivation – the applicant’s motivation to forge a career in a space-related field in Australia.
• Financial need – the principal consideration for financial need is whether an otherwise excellent participant would be preventing from enrolling because of lack of financial resources to pay for the tuition, and whether the prospective participant will have no other way to obtain support
• Merit – University graduate or undergraduate performance, professional achievement, evidence of output (e.g. publications, conference presentations, if applicable), extracurricular activities (e.g. chairing of committees, conference organisation, leadership of study groups), are some of the criteria considered to establish merit. The applicant’s CV should demonstrate potential to contribute to the class in a leadership and team building capacity, and long term career benefits to be gained from participation in the program.
• Interview – Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend a 15-30 minute interview with the Trustee or/and Advisory Committee of the Smith Fund.

Documentation required

Applicants are required to submit a scholarship application form (available below) along with their program application and supporting documents to www.isunet.edu/apply-shssp.

All applications will be judged on the basis of the information and supporting documents lodged as part of the program application process.  

Applicants wishing to be considered for the Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund scholarships must include their university transcripts with their enrolment documents, even where this is not a general requirement for enrolment.

(All eligible SHSSP26 applicants that meet the scholarship criteria, including those who have already been accepted in SHSSP26, will be automatically considered for this scholarship unless an applicant specifically requests not to be considered. Requests to be removed from consideration should be emailed to inquiries.sh-ssp@isunet.edu)

Conditions of award of scholarship

The scholarship winners may be requested by the program organisers to carry out the following actions following the program:

• Submit a written report at the conclusion of SHSSP26 describing the program and how they believe SHSSP26 will help them in their future careers in the aerospace sector within Australia.

Deadline for applications

30 October 2025

Notification

The winners of the scholarship will be notified no later than late November 2025.