Tertiary Scholarships
Applications close 5pm Monday 23 November 2026.
Ready to apply? Review the scholarship guidelines and complete the application form below.
Scholarship Streams
Priority Tertiary Scholarships
- Up to $80,000 over four years
- Plus an additional $10,000 after one year of post-graduate work in the dairy industry or dairying communities
- Open to students relocating from Victorian dairy regions for full-time study in any field of study
- Priority degrees: Agriculture, Agribusiness, Food Science & Nutrition, Engineering, Medicine, and Veterinary Science
- Up to five scholarships available
Regional Tertiary Scholarships
- Up to $30,000–$40,000 over three to four years
- Priority will be given to students who choose to study locally at their nearest tertiary institution rather than relocating to undertake their studies
- Priority fields: Agriculture, Animal Science, Business, Engineering, Food Science & Nutrition, and Health
- Up to three scholarships available
Gardiner Foundation’s Tertiary Scholarship Program supports students from Victorian dairy communities to pursue further education. Students can apply for a scholarship to study in any field, with priority given to courses that address important skills needs within dairy communities.
Tertiary Scholarships are available for students relocating to metropolitan areas, while Regional Tertiary Scholarships support students studying at their nearest regional university or college. Gardiner is also working alongside collaborators to strengthen pathways into TAFE and apprenticeships.
Research shows that students who study regionally are more likely to build their careers locally. By reducing barriers to further education, the scholarships help develop and retain skills and talent across Victoria’s dairy regions.
The scholarships are named in honour of dairy leaders Neil Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle, Doug Weir and Max Fehring, whose dedication and leadership helped shape the industry.
Since 2008, Gardiner has invested more than $2 million in more thann 90 scholarships, with over 70 per cent of past scholars choosing to remain in, and contribute to, dairy communities.