| Total value | $20,000 |
| Duration | Two lump-sum payments |
| Residency | Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen, International Student |
| Level of study | Postgraduate, Graduate research |
| Degree | All |
| College | All |
Susila Palaniappan has had a life-long dream to establish a scholarship in her mother's name for graduate research that advances policy-relevant, prevention-focused approaches to gendered violence. In 2026, Susila’s daughter, Surya Palaniappan, realised this vision through a generous gift to the University, honouring her grandmother’s legacy and enabling meaningful research in this important area.
The Scholarship honours Kr. S.N. Seethalakshmi Achi of Chettinad, whose life reflected the values of education, courage, independence and service. Forced to leave school after Grade 5 – as girls were not to continue their education – she insisted that while others could stop her attending school, they could not stop her learning. Throughout her life, she remained committed to self-education, reading widely, questioning accepted norms and encouraging critical thinking. Respected for her honesty, strength and care for others, her legacy continues through her family’s commitment to advancing prevention-focused responses to gendered violence creating a world of respectful, independent, self-reliant individuals.
The Scholarship shall be awarded as a travel scholarship valued at $20,000, paid in two lump-sum payments. Eligible support may include international travel and in country transport, accommodation and living costs during fieldwork, insurance and visa expenses, fieldwork facilitation and approved collaboration costs.
The Scholarship honours Kr. S.N. Seethalakshmi Achi of Chettinad, whose life reflected the values of education, courage, independence and service. Forced to leave school after Grade 5 – as girls were not to continue their education – she insisted that while others could stop her attending school, they could not stop her learning. Throughout her life, she remained committed to self-education, reading widely, questioning accepted norms and encouraging critical thinking. Respected for her honesty, strength and care for others, her legacy continues through her family’s commitment to advancing prevention-focused responses to gendered violence creating a world of respectful, independent, self-reliant individuals.
The Scholarship shall be awarded as a travel scholarship valued at $20,000, paid in two lump-sum payments. Eligible support may include international travel and in country transport, accommodation and living costs during fieldwork, insurance and visa expenses, fieldwork facilitation and approved collaboration costs.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you must:
- be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, Permanent Humanitarian visa holder, or international student; and
- be enrolled in a Graduate Research program; and
- be undertaking research in the area of policy and prevention, with gendered violence and its underlying drivers and precursors as the substantive domain; and
- propose to undertake international fieldwork in a country where DFAT has a presence, and where there is capacity to conduct ethical, community-engaged research that supports policy and practice development and contributes to positive community transformation.
Selection criteria
The scholarship will be awarded via a competitive selection process managed by the Adelaide University Graduate Research School, based on academic merit, research potential, benefit of travel to the applicant’s Graduate Research program and relevance to policy-relevant, prevention-focused approaches to gendered violence.Important information
Successful candidates may reapply for the scholarship in successive years.How to apply
Applications close Sunday 13th September 2026.Application Form
For further information, contact the Research Scholarships Team at research.scholarships@adelaide.edu.au
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