Earthwatch Student Challenge Fellowship

This fellowship takes a senior high school student on an exciting journey, joining Earthwatch scientists in a week-long research expedition.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience environmental research firsthand!

What we offer

We have teamed with Earthwatch Australia to provide a deserving student with a Student Challenge Fellowship, valued at $5,000!

Students must:

be in Year 10, 11 or 12
submit a Science Project Award entry in the current competition
attend a state government school in any Australian state or territory
have not participated in a previous Earthwatch Student Challenge expedition
be available and have parental permission to travel to the selected expedition within Australia
have applied by the competition closing date.

Applications submitted through the Earthwatch Student Challenge website will not be considered for this award.

Students will be assessed on their responses to these questions:

What interests you about the Earthwatch Student Challenge?
What do you hope to learn from participating in the student challenge?
Why do you love nature? Tell us about your personal experience with the natural world.
Earthwatch expeditions require teamwork, often in difficult conditions. What experience do you have of working in a team? What qualities do you think contribute to effective teamwork?
What plans do you have for your future, for example career, study and travel)? How will participating in the student challenge help you meet your goals?
What do you think are the most important actions you can or do take to help Australia's environment?
Tell us about how you will apply your experience to demonstrate environmental leadership. For example, how will you use what you have learned to do something for the environment?

If the fellowship recipient lives in a state or territory other than that where the expedition is being held, they must arrange and cover their costs for return travel from their home to their nearest airport.
The fellowship includes return transfers from the nearest airport in the state where the expedition is being held to the accommodation/venue.
The fellowship recipient must provide written feedback (and photos if possible) to the Schools Science Competition Coordinator about their experience within 1 month of returning from the expedition.
The fellowship recipient will be notified via email in late July and publicly announced during the DPI Hermitage Schools Science Competition's annual Awards Day and Ag Science Expo held in August.
If the fellowship recipient is currently in Year 10 or Year 11 and unable to attend the expedition for any reason, they may opt to attend a different expedition in the following year. This must be done by notifying the Schools Science Competition Coordinator as soon as possible.
If the fellowship recipient is currently in Year 12 and unable to attend the expedition, the prize will be forfeited by that student and offered to the next deserving student.
The fellowship is not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Hermitage Research Facility staff can provide support to participating students and teachers.

Email or call with details of your project. We can put you in contact with a departmental scientist or staff member who can answer your questions.

An online chat or video meeting with our scientists and staff can be arranged upon request.

Join our Facebook group for competition updates.

Last updated: 16 Jan 2026