ARCSA Scholarship Program

The Adelaide Robotics and Computer Science Academy (ARCSA) Scholarship Program supports talented and committed students pursuing advanced studies in robotics, coding, and AI. The program is designed to both reduce financial barriers for families and recognise students who demonstrate outstanding engagement in STEM. Scholarships are offered as full-year and half-year fee credits, applied directly to student accounts. Places are limited and awarded on a competitive basis.

About the Scholarships

ARCSA Scholarships aim to:

Support families for whom the course fees represent a significant commitment
Acknowledge students who consistently demonstrate high levels of effort, curiosity and resilience
Encourage ongoing participation and progression through ARCSA’s Robotics and Computer Science pathways
Promote greater participation of girls and young women in STEM

Scholarships are funded by industry partners, government agencies, community donors or ARCSA itself (through Principal’s Excellence Scholarships). All scholarships are administered by ARCSA and applied as credits to the recipient’s ARCSA account.

Partners and Sponsors

The Scholarship Program is supported by organisations that share ARCSA’s commitment to building South Australia’s future STEM workforce.

Current partners include:

Fleet Space Technologies (fleetspace.com) – an Adelaide-based space technology company providing satellite-enabled solutions to global industries, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and STEM education.
Defence SA (defencesa.com) – the South Australian Government’s lead agency for defence matters, including the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), supporting the growth of the state’s defence and space sectors.
ARCSA Principal’s Excellence Scholarships – Academy-funded scholarships recognising exceptional performance, leadership and commitment.
Private donors and families – members of the ARCSA community who choose to sponsor individual scholarships.

These partners provide financial support, attend scholarship events, and actively engage with students and families.

Selection Criteria

Scholarships are awarded following a structured evaluation process based on written expressions of interest submitted by parents or guardians. While criteria may be refined over time, assessment typically considers:

Family Circumstances (35%) – The extent to which a scholarship would provide meaningful financial relief.
STEM merit and potential (25%) – Demonstrated interest in robotics, coding or related fields, evidence of aptitude, persistence and self-directed learning.
Commitment to ARCSA (20%) – Length and continuity of enrolment, as well as attendance and participation across terms and programs.
Student conduct and contribution (20%) – Behaviour, cooperation, teamwork, willingness to assist peers and engage positively in class.

Some scholarships are reserved or prioritised for female students to support diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Final decisions are made by ARCSA, and for partner-funded scholarships involve consultation with sponsors.

Scholarships Awards Ceremony 2025

On 15 November 2025, ARCSA hosted its Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the theatre of the Australian Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen, Adelaide.

The event brought together scholarship recipients and their families, representatives from Fleet Space Technologies and Defence SA, a private donor, and ARCSA staff. The program included:

Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
Remarks from ARCSA on the purpose and impact of the Scholarship Program
Addresses from Fleet Space Technologies and Defence SA representatives on the importance of STEM skills for South Australia’s space and defence industries
Short student speeches reflecting on their ARCSA experience and the significance of receiving a scholarship
Formal presentation of certificates and gift packs to all scholarship recipients
Group photos and networking with sponsors and families

In 2025, a total of 15 scholarships were awarded, comprising full-year, half-year, Principal’s Excellence and community-sponsored places.

Looking Ahead

The Scholarship Program is intended to be an ongoing and growing component of ARCSA’s work. Each year, ARCSA aims to:

Maintain and strengthen existing partnerships
Welcome new sponsors from the industry, government and the community
Increase the number and diversity of scholarships available
Provide meaningful recognition to students who demonstrate excellence, commitment and potential in STEM

Organisations and individuals interested in supporting future scholarships are invited to contact ARCSA at [email protected].

2025 Scholarships Recipients:

Fleet Space Technologies STEM Scholarships:

Callie C.

Chloe C.

Reese L.

Defence SA STEM Scholarships:

Daniel B.

Trisha C.

Benson H.

Savvas I.

Sebastian J.

Levi N.

Francis N. H.

Felicity S.

Future Innovators STEM Scholarship:

Yousef A.

Principal’s Excellence STEM Scholarships:

Som E.

Lane S.

Christian W.

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