AWPA Scholarships and Awards

Each year, AWPA makes available a range of scholarships and awards that create opportunities for all ages and levels of experience.

To submit an application you must carefully read each applicable information form below and then head to the online application form link to apply, the online application form can be saved part way through your submission and supports applying for all the scholarships you want in one go.

All scholarships and awards have eligibility requirements and are awarded on merit. Assessments of applications are made by panels, one for each scholarship, of 3 to 5 people appointed for their appropriate experience/expertise.

Applicants can apply for as many scholarships as they wish, however they can only win one scholarship annually. The successful applicants are announced at the presentation event usually held in conjunction with the AWPA annual conference.

Applicants under 18 years of age must also complete a parent/guardian consent form that will be required to be uploaded to the online application form.

Find a scholarship

Not sure which scholarships to apply for? This tool can assist you in finding scholarships which you may be eligible to apply for. Please note that this is only a guide, you must still check the scholarship's information to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.

I'm an AWPA member
How old you will be on the 31st of January, 2025
Scholarship Value Info pack

Interested in scholarships and awards which don't involve obtaining flying qualifications directly?

Scholarship Value Info pack
AWPA Conference Attendance Scholarship $2,000 More info
The Nancy-Bird Walton Memorial Trophy Trophy See below
Gliding Award (AWPA) Trophy More info

Scholarship information

More information on individual scholarships is available below.

AWPA Scholarships and Awards

Sponsored by AWPA

This scholarship is to assist an AWPA member to obtain an initial issue of an Instructor Rating or an Instrument Rating, either fixed-wing or rotary, to further a career in aviation. Criteria include being a permanent resident of Australia, holding an Australian CPL, being a financial member of AWPA, and having been an AWPA member for at least two years prior to application.

Value: Up to $10,000 paid on a ‘dollar-for-dollar’ basis.

2025 – The Lady Casey Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by Airservices Australia

To assist four women with flight training costs associated with gaining any level of flying proficiency from the early stages of training through to the Commercial Pilot Licence.

Category 1: Applicants must have achieved their first solo in an aeroplane or helicopter (two scholarships).
Category 2: Applicants must have a minimum of five hours cross-country flight time as pilot in command (two scholarships).

An applicant must be at least 15 years of age and must be a financial member of AWPA.

Value: Up to $10,000 per scholarship

2025 – Flight Training Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by The Royal Australian Air Force

The scholarship is to assist with flight training costs associated with completing the navigation component of a Private Pilot Licence flying a fixed-wing powered aircraft.

Scholarship applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and must be a financial member of AWPA.

Value: $7,000.

2025 – AWPA Navigation Component Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by The Royal Australian Air Force

This scholarship is to assist a female pilot with gaining either a Formation or Aerobatic Endorsement. The applicant must hold at least a Private Pilot Licence (A), be between the ages of 17 and 24 and must be a financial member of AWPA.

Value: $5,000.

2025 – AWPA Formation or Aerobatic Endorsement Scholarship – Information

Scholarship 1

Sponsored by Air bp

This scholarship is offered for a female CPL holder to provide assistance towards the cost of the ATPL theory course. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement. Applicants must hold an Australian CPL with a minimum of 300 hours total time.

Value: $3,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory Scholarship – Information

Scholarship 2 and 3

Sponsored by Advanced Flight Theory

These scholarships award a complete course for ATPL helicopter and Aeroplane Theory to assist two female pilots to meet the costs of an Air transport Licence theory course. One scholarship is for helicopter ATPL and the other for Aeroplane ATPL.

Applicants must hold an Australian CPL or have completed CPL subjects and be a financial member of AWPA.

Value: Up to $7,750 for ATPL Aeroplane. Up to $7,890 for ATPL helicopter.

2025 – AFT ATPL THEORY HELICOPTER or AEROPLANE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Sponsored by Advanced Flight Theory

This Scholarship is to assist a female pilot to meet the costs of a Commercial Pilot Licence Theory Course.

Applicants must hold a Helicopter Private Licence and be a financial member of AWPA.

Value: Up to $6,307.

2025 – AFT COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE THEORY HELICOPTER SCHOLARSHIP – INFORMATION

Sponsored by Riga Medical

This scholarship is available to a trainee or licensed women pilots who have been inspired to pursue a career in aviation by either:

  • A personal experience in aviation assisting the delivery of medical service, or
  • The example of another female pilot, either historical or contemporary, involved in the delivery of medical service. While the scholarship aims to assist pilots in training, it is also open to licensed pilots who wish to advance their expertise, particularly where they are focused on how to use their aviation skills in the delivery of medical services in rural and remote areas.
  • AWPA membership is not required at the time of application, but the successful applicant will be expected to join AWPA if not already a member.
  • The scholarship could be used by the recipient to assist with gaining, retaining, or furthering a flying qualification, endorsement, or rating.

Value: $1,000.

2025 – Merlene Smith (nee Jackson) Scholarship -Information

Sponsored by Donations From Family, Friends and Cessna 182 Association 

To provide financial assistance for a conversion from an RA-Aus Recreational Pilot Certificate to Private Pilot Licence (PPL).

Value: Up to $3000. On a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – Sandra Southwell Memorial Scholarship – Information

Donated by the Ninety Nines Inc. Australian Section

This award is to assist a member of the 99s or AWPA in defraying costs of CASA exam fees, study material and equipment associated with the attainment of licenses or ratings required for a career or commercial involvement in aviation.

Value: $500

Contact: Cathy Hobson

Sponsored by the family of the late Nancy-Bird Walton

This trophy is for the most noteworthy contribution to aviation by a woman of Australasia. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement. Nominations must be in writing, with a seconder – nominations can only come from within AWPA, either from financial individual members or from state or territory branches.

For information on the application process and for a copy of the nomination form, please contact the AWPA National Vice-President

Gliding Awards & Scholarships

Sponsored by AWPA

This scholarship aims to assist a female sailplane pilot to enhance her cross-country skills. Scholarship funds can be used for but are not limited to assisting a sailplane pilot with towing charges, glider hire or retrieval costs.

  • Applicants must be a permanent resident of Australia; hold a silver C badge and a current Glider Medical Certificate.
  • Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.

Value: $1000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – Soaring Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by AWPA

This award is made for the most meritorious gliding flight carried out by a female glider pilot during the previous year, or for an outstanding contribution to the advancement of gliding in Australia.

  • Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.
  • Perpetual trophy and personal memento (Albatross).

2025 – Gliding Award – Information

State Funded Scholarships

Sponsored by AWPA NSW Branch

This scholarship is open to all eligible members of AWPA and may be used for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, gliding, or balloon flight. The intended use of the scholarship could include multi-engine class rating, design feature endorsement, Flight Review, PPL training, CPL training, Private Instrument Rating (PIR), flight activity endorsement,  cross country gliding rating, aircraft type endorsement.

It is intended that the scholarship be used for the attainment of one qualification and only for the intended purpose nominated on the application form.

Note: This scholarship is not intended to be used to obtain an Instrument Rating (IR), Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) or Night Visual Flight Rules rating (NVFR).

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months membership of AWPA, hold a current medical, have completed GFPT (or equivalent for gliding or ballooning) or hold a Recreational Pilot Licence or higher, hold the appropriate licence or rating to undertake the proposed flight training, and for PPL, CPL or PIR, passes in the appropriate theory examinations (evidence to be provided).

Value: $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – NSW 2000 Edna Grose Scholarship – Information


Sponsored by the late Di Goodwin

To assist an AWPA member in obtaining an initial Instrument Rating or Private Instrument Rating. Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia, have passed the relevant theory component of the rating being sought and be an AWPA member.

Value: $5,000

2025 – The Di Goodwin Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by Barbara Swett (USA) and AWPA NSW Branch

To assist a woman of 45 years or more with ab-initio training, Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), PPL, CPL, Private Instrument Rating (PIR), Night VFR, Flight Review, training or endorsements in Aerobatic Retractable or Tailwheel flying.

Open to any female pilot who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or resides in Australia and is at least 45 years of age. The successful applicant will be required to join AWPA if not already a member.

Value: Up to $1,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – Mary O’Brien Silver Wings Award – Information

Donated by AWPA Victoria Branch

The grant is to provide assistance of up to $2,000 towards the cost of a rating or endorsement to support the advancement of practical flying skills.

  • Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia
  • Applicant may already be undertaking the rating or endorsement being applied for but only invoices for training taken after the application closing date will be considered under the award.
  • Applicants must hold as a minimum RPC or RPL and have a minimum of 50hrs flying experience on powered aircraft.
  • Applicants must be a financial member of AWPA or have applied for AWPA membership prior to application and maintain membership for the duration of the scholarship
  • The award must be used within 12 months.

Value: $1,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – 1974 Memorial Grant – Information

Donated by the late Claire and Ken Embling

To assist in the advancement of practical and/or theoretical training.

  • Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia
  • Applicant may already be undertaking the rating or endorsement being applied for but only invoices for training taken after the application closing date will be considered under the award .
  • Applicants must hold as a minimum RPC or RPL and have a minimum of 50hrs flying experience on powered aircraft.
  • Applicants must be a financial member of AWPA or have applied for AWPA membership prior to application and maintain membership for the duration of the scholarship.
  • The award must be used within 12 months.

Value: $2,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – The Freda Thompson and Claire Embling Aviation Award – Information

Donated by the family of Michelle Lappin

The award is up to an amount of $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis to assist a member to undertake practical flight training in a helicopter.

  • Applicants must be resident in Australia and hold a current CASA Medical Certificate.
  • Applicants must have a minimum of 5 hours experience in a helicopter.
  • Applicants must have been a financial member of AWPA for a minimum of 12 months immediately prior to application for the award.

Value: $2,500 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – Michelle Lappin Memorial Helicopter Scholarship – Information

Sponsored by Kelair

To assist with CPL Navigation training costs. Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia, be an AWPA member and hold a PPL or RPL with Navigation and CTA endorsements.

Value: $2,500 to $5,000

2025 – Kelair Women of the Sky Scholarship – Information

To financially assist a current SA-NT AWPA member, resident in South Australia or the Northern Territory, in any commendable aviation endeavour.

Applicants must have a current aviation medical (as applicable to the relevant aviation sector), be a resident of SA or NT, and have been an AWPA member with a minimum of 24 months in the SA-NT branch.

Value: Variable.

2025 – AWPA SA-NT Memorial Incentive Grant – Information

To assist an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman to train up to the level of solo flight.

Value: $5,000

2025 – Marion McCall OAM Scholarship – Information

The aim of this award is to assist any female student pilot in training for the Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), Private Pilot Licence (PPL), RA-Aus Pilot Certificate, RA-Aus Navigation Endorsement or Gliding Certificate, thereby promoting the Australian Women Pilots’ Association.

An applicant must have been a WA resident for at least the preceding 12 months and hold a current aviation medical. Membership of AWPA is not a requirement.

Value: $2,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

2025 – WA Branch Aviation Award – Information

To sponsor attendance at the AWPA Annual Conference. The Scholarship includes travel from your closest state capital to the conference location, 4 nights accomodation, some meals and attendance at all conference events.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or reside in Australia, be 18 years or older and have not attended an AWPA conference previously.

Value: Up to $2000.

2025 – AWPA Conference Attendance Scholarship – Information