Flinders University Scholarships 2026: AUD 5,000 Honours Bursary | Undergraduate| Deadline 27 November 2026

Flinders University Scholarships 2026: AUD 5,000 Honours Bursary | Undergraduate| Deadline 27 November 2026

Flinders University Supporting Desistance from Crime in the Community Project Honours Bursary 2026

Published: 20 August 2026
Application Deadline: 27 November 2026
Study Country: Australia
University: Flinders University
Study Level: Honours / Undergraduate
Scholarship Value: AUD 5,000
Eligible Gender: Men and Women

About the Bursary

Flinders University is offering the Supporting Desistance from Crime in the Community Project Honours Bursary 2026 to support an eligible student undertaking an Honours research project in Criminology.

The bursary is connected to an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) project titled “Co-Designing and Testing a New Framework for Correctional Supervision.”

The research focuses on “assisted desistance”, an approach to community-based correctional supervision that aims to support the social and psychological processes involved when people move away from criminal behaviour.

The wider project uses mixed research methods, including focus groups and surveys involving people supervised by the Department for Correctional Services South Australia, as well as community corrections officers.

The successful Honours student will have the opportunity to contribute to the DECRA project's data collection and potentially use project data as part of their thesis.

Scholarship Benefits

The successful recipient will receive:

• AUD 5,000 in financial support.

• Funding that can contribute towards living expenses during the Honours year.

• An opportunity to contribute to an active criminology research project.

• Potential access to project data for use in an Honours thesis.

• Research experience in the area of correctional supervision and desistance from crime.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the following requirements within the discipline of Criminology:

• Have completed an undergraduate degree; or

• Be currently completing an undergraduate degree; or

• Be completing the first three years of a four-year Honours degree.

• Be enrolled in, or eligible for, a 36-unit Honours program; or

• Be enrolled in a four-year Honours program.

• Intend to study full-time during the Honours year.

Part-time applications may also be considered where an applicant has extenuating circumstances that prevent full-time study, such as disability or significant carer responsibilities. In such cases, the bursary will be paid on a pro-rata basis.

How Will Applicants Be Selected?

Selection will be based on:

1. Academic merit

2. Suitability for the specific research project

3. The applicant's relevant skills, experience and interest in the research area.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate clearly why they are interested in criminology, desistance from crime and community-based correctional supervision, and what they can contribute to the research project.

How to Apply

Before submitting a formal application, interested students must first contact the prospective supervisor:

Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo
Email: melissa.devel-palumbo@flinders.edu.au

In the initial email, applicants should include:

• A copy of their academic transcript.

• A short suitability statement explaining their interest in the project.

• An explanation of why they would be a strong candidate, including relevant skills, knowledge and experience.

Applicants should request a meeting with Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo to discuss the project.

After the meeting, eligible students will be invited to submit a formal application.

Application Deadline

27 November 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin the process early because they need to contact the prospective supervisor and arrange a meeting before lodging the formal application.

Important Information for International Students

This bursary is based at Flinders University in Australia and is specifically designed for an Honours research project in Criminology.

Before applying, international students should carefully check whether they meet Flinders University's academic and enrolment requirements for the relevant Honours program. The AUD 5,000 bursary should not automatically be interpreted as a full scholarship covering tuition, flights, visa costs and all living expenses.

Why This Opportunity Is Worth Considering

This bursary could be particularly valuable for students interested in criminology, criminal justice, corrections, psychology, social policy and community-based rehabilitation.

Beyond the financial support, the opportunity provides exposure to an ongoing research project and allows the successful student to contribute to research examining how correctional supervision can better support people who are trying to move away from crime.

Quick Summary

Final Advice for Applicants

Do not wait until the deadline to start the application. The first step is to contact Dr Melissa de Vel-Palumbo, attach your academic transcript and prepare a convincing suitability statement.

Your statement should focus on three things:

• Why you are interested in the research topic

• What academic or practical experience you have

• Why your skills and interests make you suitable for the project

Application deadline: 27 November 2026.

Official information: Flinders University bursary webpage.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY