UQef provides opportunities for major benefactors ($100,000+) to support academic programmes which they feel need stronger emphasis or more rapid development. These opportunities include academic scholarships, named Chairs and research programmes.

Young Achievers Program

The Young Achievers Program supports the tertiary study and university aspirations of Queensland senior secondary school students with academic potential from underrepresented groups. The focus of the program is on nurturing and developing participants from disadvantaged backgrounds through mentoring, advice, financial assistance, and opportunities for personal growth. Establishment in 2009, over 1,400 students from state high schools across Queensland have participated in the program.

UQ Law Leadership, Excellence and Diversity (LEAD) Scholarship

The LEAD Scholarship  supports UQ law students who have experienced educational, social and/or financial disadvantage with a scholarship of $8,000 per annum for up to five years. Established in 2016, there are currently 54 LEAD scholars in the program while five LEAD scholars have graduated.

The Frank Finn Scholarship

The Frank Finn Scholarship aims to assist academically strong students studying finance, accounting and business analytics at UQ but are facing financial disadvantage. First awarded in 2009, there have been 54 Frank Finn Scholars at UQ.

Indigenous Scholarship

Established in 2021, the UQeF Indigenous Scholarship Fund was created to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who face financial hardship to succeed, develop leadership capacity and achieve their goals through higher education and access to professional opportunities.  To date, over 9 scholarships have been established with the aim for the Scholarship Fund to support at least 13 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursue their passion at UQ.

What students say about our programs…

Thank you so much

“This is long overdue and I should’ve said it much earlier, but thank you so much for everything that you have done for me this year. I’m still pinching myself to see if this entire scholarship is real, because it really does seem too good to be true. I received way more than I originally thought this year from the LEAD Scholarship team and I’m unexplainably grateful. Thank you for making the university transition a million times easier than it should have been and thank you for even considering me in the first place as a scholar for this opportunity – it has helped me and my family beyond measure this year” 

The Young Achievers Program is what I call a second family

“The Young Achievers Program is what I call a second family – from the supportive mentors who check up with me every month, to the hundred other UQ mentees who have been with me along this journey, and to the support team who help organise the program and to those who financially support the program – they have all been there to support me during my senior studies. Year 11 and year 12 can be difficult and to have this support behind me to help me if I fall is a crucial asset.”