Elizabeth and Nicholas Slezak Scholarship

About

The Elizabeth and Nicholas Slezak Scholarship supports female identifying students who are enrolled in a bachelor's degree with Honours, a graduate coursework or graduate research degree, and are studying French literature and/or language in France.

Applications open

12 May 2025

Applications close

7 July 2025

Benefits

Up to $60,000 is available and several awards may be offered from this amount. Award payments will be made as a single lump-sum.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

• be female-identifying;
• be an enrolled Honours student studying French language or literature; or,
• be enrolled or enrolling in a graduate coursework or graduate research degree studying French language or literature; and,
• be undertaking a course of study at a French university or institution.

Selection criteria

The scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who makes the most compelling case for support by demonstrating:

• the relevance of overseas travel to France to their intended study or research;
• the quality and feasibility of the proposed program of study or research in France;
• academic merit; and,
• the skills, experience and aptitude required to carry out the proposed project or study as evidenced by the application.

Conditions

Recipients are required to:

• accept the award online within 21 days;
• submit the relevant travel documents; and,
• submit a report within two months of returning from travel.

Outcome

Applicants are advised of the outcome via email within 8-10 weeks.

Application process

Eligible applicants must complete the online application form, including:

• details of your proposed program of study or research overseas;
• a summary of your proposed program of French language or literature at a French university or institution;
• evidence of initial contact or approval of placement at a French university or institution;
• a 300-500 word statement outlining how the scholarship would positively impact your life and assist with your studies, and how pursuing study and research overseas is important to your academic work;
• an indicative budget;
• at least one academic reference;
• a current statement of results; and,
• any other information to support the application that may assist the committee in making its decision.

Apply

Enquiries

artsawards-info@unimelb.edu.au

About the donors

Mrs Elizabeth Slezak was an alumna of the University of Melbourne who achieved her Master of Arts in 1956. Mrs Slezak left a gift in her will to support a University of Melbourne female graduate who wishes to travel to France and study French literature or language. Named in honour of Mrs Slezak and her husband, the award is called the Elizabeth and Nicholas Slezak Scholarship.

Recipient feedback

Louise Cain

The Elizabeth and Nicholas Slezak Scholarship allowed me to engage with the fascinating material at the Bibliothèque du Film while using my French language skills in a practical context. The month I spent in Paris was integral to my research, as I would not have been able to access such niche resources at my home university. Overall, this scholarship enriched both my academic and personal creative pursuits and gave me the opportunity to not only live as a Parisian for a month, but to concentrate completely on my studies.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.