The Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia is offering a postgraduate scholarship to eligible students currently conducting research in an energy geoscience related project within Australia. The award, known as the Horstman Federal Postgraduate Scholarship, consists of an annual prize of $5000 to the successful recipient as part of PESA’s program to promote and encourage subsurface energy geoscience research and education in Australia.
This award is open to:
Postgraduate research students enrolled in a PhD or Masters program at a recognised Australian tertiary institution. Research topics must have a subsurface energy geoscience focus and have direct relevance to the exploration, development or production of energy resources in Australia.
Eligibility
The PESA Horstman Federal Postgraduate Scholarship is open to students who, at the application deadline are:
- Enrolled in a PhD (full or part time) or Masters program at a recognised Australian tertiary institution.
- Conducting research in a subsurface energy geoscience project with the area of study located within an Australian sedimentary basin. The scope of eligible geoscience research projects includes studies in conventional and unconventional petroleum, and carbon capture and storage (geosequestration) which are relevant to the exploration, development or production of subsurface energy resources in Australia.
- A current member of PESA with participation in PESA events.
- Australian citizen and/or student resident.
Scholarship Allowance
This scholarship offers an award of $5,000 ($2,500 for part time candidates) to support the student for a period of one year. After the first year, the successful recipient is eligible to reapply for the scholarship for another year or may apply for financial support to attend a technical conference to present his/her research, at which PESA’s support is to be acknowledged (up to $2,000 for registration and travel costs will be reimbursed).
PESA membership
Postgraduate students are eligible for student membership (free of charge) and can sign up through the PESA website (pesa.com.au). Students wishing to be considered for the PESA Scholarship for the current year need to be current members at the time of application for the award. Where possible, student participation in PESA events will be highly regarded and the level of involvement may be verified with the applicant’s local PESA Branch.
Selection Procedure
Applications will be assessed by the PESA Education and Awards Sub-Committee and the winning candidate ratified by the Federal PESA board. Short listed candidates may be interviewed by videoconference. The successful applicant will be formally notified by email.
The scholarship award will be presented at a technical luncheon or evening event hosted by the winning applicant’s respective state branch (subject to relevant COVID-19 restrictions).
Conditions of the scholarship
- A requirement of the award will be for the recipient to provide a short article for PESA News on his/her research activities.
- Prior to or upon completion of the term of the scholarship the recipient will also be required to present his/her project at a branch technical event.
- Proof of enrolment is to be provided annually for the duration of the scholarship.
How To Apply
Applicants must include the following in their application:
- A completed Application Form (download link is at the top of this page);
- CV/resume;
- Proof of enrolment in a recognised Australian tertiary institution.
- A certified copy of their Tertiary Academic Record;
- A cover letter outlining how their research project is relevant to the exploration, development, or production of subsurface energy resources within Australia (maximum 1 page);
- A project summary/proposal;
- Name of a referee who is an Active PESA member within their local branch.
Completed application forms and accompanying documentation should be emailed to the Federal PESA Education and Awards Committee at education@pesa.com.au
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is Friday 8th October, 2021.
It is important that the application is completed in full as incomplete applications may affect your chance of selection.