2025 John and Eric Smyth Scholarship (Current Students) - Semester 2

This scholarship supports current, eligible Faculty of Education students with travel and accommodation costs for the duration of an overseas travel program related to current studies.  The recipient can use the scholarship to support a study program overseas to:

• study education and allied subjects at a university
• study education systems at work
• study a subject or problem which the University believes is directly related to the work of a teacher or which will help in the advancement of education

Examples include but are not limited to: Work Integrated Learning (WIL) International as part of the Professional Learning Capstone and subjects with an international travel component such as Education, Policy and Practice.

Background on the donor

John Smyth was the first Professor of Education at the University of Melbourne.  He established the John and Eric Smyth Travelling Scholarship to commemorate his son Eric, a medical student, who died when he was 23.  John donated the sum that would have paid for Eric’s education and post-graduate study abroad on top of what he set aside originally to establish this fund.  His wish was that the recipient be of excellent character and that they be force for good and possessed of a strong desire to uplift humanity.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you need to:

• be under 30 years of age at the time of application
• have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne and are currently studying with the Faculty of Education
• be engaging in a study program with an international travel component
• demonstrate skills as a teacher (note: this may be demonstrated through results in the Professional Practice subjects completed as a part of your teaching qualification)

Conditions of the scholarship

Should your overseas travel opportunity be unable to proceed, or in the event that you are no longer able to participate, you will no longer be eligible to receive this scholarship and any monies paid would need to be returned to the University.

It is a condition of the scholarship that you return to Australasia within three years of the termination of the scholarship and hold a position in the field of education for a minimum of two years.  Failing which the recipient is to repay half the scholarship within four years of its termination. 

John Smyth’s stated in his Will that he wishes the winner to remember John Smyth and his son Eric Smyth throughout their career, and, once they have established themselves, to contribute back to the John and Eric Smyth travelling fund and so perpetuate the spirit which originated the fund. 

Selection Criteria

Application Process