THE scope of the Australian Wool Education Trust’s scholarships and grants has been broadened and a new $10,000 scholarship is being launched to encourage international study.

Applications for the 2027 AWET scholarships and grants are now open and include options for study along the wool supply chain from farm to finished garment.

Tony Street

A new Tony Street Memorial Scholarship is now being offered for sheep and/or wool sheep agriculture, animal science or veterinary science students, on behalf of the family of the late Anthony Street. This involves $10,000 for the recipient 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.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Street was a finewool grower and prime lamb producer in Victoria’s Western District of Victoria who also served as a member of parliament for the Federal seat of Corangamite for 18 years and a Cabinet minister between 1975 and 1983. He was known as a strong advocate for investment in agricultural research and innovation, and for the translation and adoption of scientific and technological advances by primary producers.

AWET secretary Kerry Hansford said previous scholarships and grants were allocated to sheep and wool students in agriculture, animal science  or veterinary science.

“Now students studying fashion, textile or product design or wool processing may also apply.

“The main criterion for selection is that the project is wool focused and that the outcome(s) will be of benefit the wool industry,” she said.

The Australian Wool Education Trust said it regularly reviews the allocation of its financial resources that help facilitate the sheep and/or wool education of students whose interests range from farm to fabric.

Following meetings with Australian wool academics and fashions schools in July 2026, the AWER trustees agreed that various scholarships and grants will be open to students studying wool and/or wool sheep or wool fashion/textile/product design, or wool processing.

The scholarships and grants include Undergraduate and Masters by Coursework Project scholarships available to undergraduate students (3rd, 4th or Honours year) or Masters by Course Work students undertaking a research project relevant to wool and/or wool sheep or wool fashion/textile/product design or wool processing. The $7000 scholarship is generally allocated 50 percent to the university and 50pc to the student.

Wool Industry Placement grants will be available to enhance university students’ work experience and careers for activities that will assist students become career ready. The grants are valued at up to $10,000 per institute.

Small Initiative grants are available to academics who have an innovative idea related to sheep and/or wool or wool fashion/textile/product design or wool processing education that needs seed funding to help develop and deliver the idea. These general grants are valued at up to $6000, while special grants (for Ag360 or RamSelect) are valued at up to $8000.

AWET said eligibility across all industry sectors may result in a higher number of applications, meaning the competition for each scholarship or grant will increase.  To this end, all applicants (students and/or Institutes) should ensure that their application clearly focuses on the benefits to the wool industry, the trust said.

For further information go to: www.woolwise.com/home/scholarships-and-grants/

Applications close on Friday 30 October 2026.  Late applications will not be accepted. For more information contact: Dr Kerry Hansford, AWET Secretary e. [email protected] m. 0429 953 344.

Source – AWET.