The Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET) regularly reviews the allocation of its financial resources that help facilitate the education of sheep or wool students whose interests range from farm to fabric. Following its meetings with the Wool Academics and Fashions Schools in July 2026, the Trustees agreed that the various Scholarships and Grants listed below should be opened up to students studying wool and/or wool sheep OR wool fashion/textile design or processing. This may result in a higher number of applications, meaning the competition for each Scholarship or Grant will likely increase. To this end, all applicants (students and/or Institutes) should ensure that their application clearly focuses on the benefits to the wool industry.
Initially, by investing in the Sheep CRC’s education programmes, the Trust facilitated the development of a comprehensive range of sheep and wool education modules which are now available at the University of New England (UNE) and also, via its long-distance learning initiatives, to students in other institutes. Other industry sectors such as Meat and Livestock Australia funded a complimentary range of sheep and sheep meat production modules.
At the end of the Sheep CRC the ownership of these modules was transferred to the Trust. The Trust in turn licenced UNE to deliver and manage this IP.
To facilitate this, funds are allocated to UNE by the Trust. This is the largest single funding arrangement made by the Trust.
To support enrolments in these UNE sheep and wool units, the Trust allocates funds to non-UNE Universities to offset any loss of income. These subsidies are distributed directly to the Universities by the Trust based on the student/unit enrolments supplied by UNE at the end of each academic year. From 2026, the subsidy is $2,000/student/unit.
To encourage enrolments in the modules being offered by UNE, the Trust co-funds a number of under-graduate scholarships for students across Australia who wish to undertake sheep and wool education training.
Each scholarship is valued at $6,000 and they are generally offered to students in the second or third year of their degree.
Other co-funders include industry companies and industry organisations.
The number of scholarships offered each year depends on the total funds available.
Applications for these scholarships are made through the University of New England.
In 2026, the Trust supported 11 Undergraduate Project Scholarships from different universities across Australia, each valued at $7,000.
For the 2027 Academic Year, AWET has opened these scholarships to undergraduate students (3rd, 4th or Honours year) and Masters by Course Work students undertaking a research project relevant to wool and/or wool sheep or wool fashion/textile design or processing. Due to the potential increase in the number of applications, this relevance is the most significant criteria considered by the selection panel in assessing the competitive applications. The Scholarships are open to Agriculture and/or Animal Science, Veterinary Science or Fashion/Textile students.
Generally, the $7,000 Scholarship is allocated 50% to the University and 50% to the student; however, the recipients may negotiate how the funds are allocated, with the split specified in the application. Applications for these scholarships must be made directly to the Trust and must be supported by an academic referee from the University at which the student is enrolled or intends to enrol.
For further information and the application form, go to Undergraduate and Masters by Coursework Applications.
Applications for 2027 Undergraduate and Masters by Coursework Project Scholarships close on Friday 30th October 2026. Late applications will NOT be accepted.
On behalf of the family of the late Honourable Anthony Street, AWET offers one annual monetary Scholarship to attend or present to an AWET endorsed international conference and/or sheep/wool industry study tour to enhance the Scholar’s education and networks in the sheep/wool supply chain. An Annual Scholarship of up to $10,000 is available to one recipient chosen by an AWET Selection Panel according to AWET endorsed selection criteria.
The Scholarship Fund is to attend an AWET endorsed international event/conference/study tour, which includes exposure to the wool supply chain with the support of a mentor arranged by AWET. The opportunity to present research findings (oral or poster) may be available if a project is complete.
An outcomes report from the Scholar would describe how their knowledge and prospects in the sheep/wool industry were impacted by the Scholarship. This would be published on woolwise.com. Additional responsibilities would include presenting at the annual AWET/Wool Academics meeting held in July (at AWET’s cost for attendance) and potential membership of the AWET Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee in the subsequent year.
Use this link for Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Background and Eligibility. Applicants must download the following 3 forms:
Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Instruction Form
Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Application Form
Tony Street Memorial Scholarship Referees Report
Applications for 2027 Tony Street Memorial Scholarship close on Friday 30th October 2026. Late applications will NOT be accepted.
To enhance their Students’ Work Experience and Careers, grants are available to Universities for activities that will assist their students to become career ready. The Grants are valued at up to $10,000 per Institute, with 6 Grants allocated in 2026.
Each proposal is at the University’s discretion, i.e. whatever the University believes will provide the best outcomes for its students, and it must be focused on wool and/or wool sheep or wool fashion/textile design or processing. The grant is applicable to Agriculture and/or Animal Science, Veterinary Science or Fashion/Textile students. On completion, a statement from the University as to how the funding worked, along with a note from students reflecting on their experiences, is required. For further information, go to Wool Industry Placement Grants report.
A one or two page proposal (there is no application form) to be assessed by AWET Trustees is required. Please send applications to the AWET Secretary e. kerry.hansford@woolwise.com.
Applications for 2027 Wool Industry Placement Grants close on Friday 30th October 2026. Late applications will NOT be accepted.
The small initiative grants are available to academics who have an innovative idea related to sheep and/or wool or wool fashion/textile design or processing education that needs seed funding to help develop and deliver the idea.
Applications for 2027 Small Initiative Grants close on Friday 30th October 2026 and Friday 23rd April 2027. Late applications will NOT be accepted.
Applications are made using the Application Form. Each application must be supported by an Academic Referee. The applicant must download the form, complete the contact and project details in Section A, then pass the document to the Academic Referee who will complete Sections B and C, and submit it to the AWET Secretary.
General Grants – $6000
General grants apply to innovation initiatives that are not constrained other than that they must be aimed at sheep and wool education
Special Grants – $8000
Special grants are for innovation initiatives directly related to Ag360 (formerly Askbill) or RamSelect on-line educational tools.
The Trust supports the VET sector via scholarships, valued at $3,000 each, being made available per year to students attending institutions in this sector.
Applications for these scholarships are made on behalf of the student(s) by the institution where the students are enrolled.
The Trust provides funding of $10,000 per annum to support the Alastair Mackenzie Scholarship at Marcus Oldham College in Victoria. The successful student (from 1st or 2nd year) is selected by Marcus Oldham. A pre-requisite is that sheep and/wool is a primary focus for the student.
Applications for this scholarship must be made through Marcus Oldham College.
The Trust provides grants to final year Fashion Students to assist them to purchase wool fabrics for their final year collections. The grants are valued at $1500 for a final year student in a 3-year degree or $2000 for a final year student in a 4-year degree. The students are selected by the Fashion Institute in which they are enrolled.
In addition, Woolmark and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) offers support to Fashion Schools through their various education and training programs and projects.
For more information go to Fashion School Scholarships and Opportunities.
AWET Scholarships and Grants are only awarded to Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents and/or Australian Institutes/Companies/Organisations.