• Charles Sturt and Elders Limited to offer new Elders – AgriPathways Scholarships
• The scholarship is initially aimed at encouraging more First Nations people to pursue a career in agriculture
• The scholarship opens on Thursday 1 May for a mid-2025 intake

Charles Sturt University and Elders Limited have launched an opportunity to encourage First Nations people to pursue career pathways in agriculture.

The Elders - AgriPathways Scholarships, supporting Charles Sturt’s First Nations Pathways Program, was launched at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 29 April.

The launch was held as part of a recently established Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. The scholarship was launched as part of the Elders’ board of directors’ recent visit to Wagga Wagga.

The scholarship aims to empower the next generation of First Nations leaders in agriculture with the resources and opportunities to create pathways and foster a more inclusive and diverse agricultural industry.

According to Charles Sturt research, less than five First Nations students graduate from agriculture courses nationally each year.

Despite strong cultural connections to land, First Nations Australians make up one per cent of the agricultural workforce. Of the one per cent of the national agricultural workforce that identifies as First Nations, 44 per cent of these are aged 15 to 33.

Charles Sturt’s Pro Vice-Chancellor of Student Success Ms Heather McGregor said this collaboration will increase aspiration to study agricultural degrees and diversify the agriculture industry.

“We are excited about collaborating with a range of stakeholders to increase engagement with First Nations youth and community, particularly to build aspiration to study in agricultural degrees,” she said.

“Just as importantly, we will also look at any customisations needed to our existing First Nations Student Connect services to assist students in these degrees to succeed.”

Charles Sturt Foundation Trust CEO Ms Sarah Ansell said she was thankful for Elders’ vision and generosity.

“This scholarship goes beyond financial support,” she said.

“It's about creating opportunities, fostering diversity and empowering the next generation of leaders in agriculture.”

Two scholarships are available, each worth $24,000, paid over the duration of the degree.

These scholarships are open to students from First Nations Australian backgrounds studying a Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, Bachelor of Horticulture or Bachelor of Viticulture at Charles Sturt.

The scholarships will highlight the career options in the Australian agricultural industry, including the fields of agronomy, livestock, agtech, sales, etc.

Elders Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Mark Allison said Elders partnered with Charles Sturt as a leading technology-focused, regional university with an emphasis on keeping graduates in rural areas.

He believes that investing in the education and development of First Nations students will support their individual growth and enrich the agricultural community with their insights and contributions.

“Elders is proud to support the impactful programs led by Charles Sturt University that are driving meaningful change and helping to foster a more inclusive and diverse agricultural industry,” he said.

“By supporting Charles Sturt University’s First Nations Pathways programs, we’re helping to create more opportunities for First Nations students to access education and pursue meaningful careers, while also strengthening rural and remote communities and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural workforce.”

Applications for the Elders – AgriPathways Scholarship are now open. Applications will open again in September for the 2026 intake.