Please read all the information below before you start your application.
1. Check your eligibility
Do you love science, technology, engineering, or mathematics? Or do you have the drive to find solutions to problems and fix things?
Are you curious and constantly asking Why? How? Why not?
Do you see yourself working in a science or technology-related field and would like to know more about STEM-related study and career paths?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, apply to attend the NYSF Year 12 Program. To apply, you must be:
- in Year 11 in the year you apply, to attend the following January
- an Australian citizen or resident, and/or studying full-time in an Australian school
- considering pursuing further study or training and a career in a STEM-related discipline.
2. Start your application
Complete your personal details and fill in your Rotary District. Once you click next, you’ll receive an email that includes a link you can use to return to your application if you can’t finish it in one go.
Answer the 'About You' questions. They require a bit of thought and you might like to draft them first:
Please tell us about yourself
What are your hobbies, interests, and achievements, and information on any extracurricular activities?
Motivation
Why do you want to attend the NYSF Year 12 Program?
Role of STEM
Why do you think STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) is important? What role do you think STEM can play in helping us address current and future challenges?
Career goals
What career do you currently intend to pursue? How do you plan to achieve this career goal? If you're not sure at this point that's fine, just write what you are currently most interested in.
Post-Year 12 intentions
What are your intentions for after Year 12? Do you plan to attend university straight away, take a gap year, look for employment, or something else?
Tertiary study
If you are thinking about tertiary studies after finishing Year 12, please provide details about the study and institution you're most interested in at this time. If you are unsure at this stage, just let us know your general thoughts.
Upload your most recent school report
If you have not yet received a report in Year 11, please submit your most recent Year 10 report.
3. Let us know what fields you are interested in, and what STEM Hub you might attend
Knowing your interests and what in-person STEM Hub you may attend helps up to plan a program that is tailored to the attendees. Rank the listed STEM fields from favourite to least favourite, and choose the STEM Hub you are most likely to attend – it's okay if you end up attending a different STEM Hub, this just helps us plan.
4. Work out which fee option you will choose
Applicants who would benefit from financial support towards their program fee are encouraged to seek endorsement from their local Rotary Club. While Rotary Clubs are under no obligation to provide financial support to applicants, many are able to offer some level of funding or assist in fundraising. Applicants who do not require financial support do not need to obtain Rotary endorsement and can instead apply as “I will self-fund”.
Download the Rotary Endorsement Form and contact your local Rotary Club to see if they can endorse you. Attach your completed Rotary Endorsement Form.
5. Pay your application fee
Once you have selected your fee option, you can progress to the payment tab, where you will be prompted to pay the application fee.
Once paid, your application will be complete, and you will receive a confirmation email.
Please note that the application fee is non-refundable, even for applicants not selected to attend the NYSF Year 12 Program.
The early bird application fee is $25 for applications submitted on or before 24 July and $65 if submitted on or after 25 July 2022.
If payment of the application fee is a financial barrier for you, please get in touch at nysf@nysf.edu.au to discuss your options.
5. Attend your selection interview
Once your application is submitted, the next step will be to attend an NYSF selection interview. These selections are facilitated by Rotary volunteers. Shortly after applying you will be contacted by a Rotary District Chair to book your selection interview.
At interviews, NYSF District Chairs run a panel interview process or similar that considers applicants on their merit.
You will need to keep checking your emails to see whether further information is required from you before proceeding to selection interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application process
Is the application fee refundable if I don't get selected?
No. The application fee is a one-off non-refundable processing fee.
I am still trying to contact our local Rotary Club to get an endorsement/sponsorship. Can I go ahead and complete my application as 'Self-funded' and then just update my details before the deadline once I have secured a Rotary Club endorsement/sponsorship?
It’s preferable that if you intend to apply with Rotary endorsement that you lock in the Rotary Club prior to submitting your application.
If you are having problems getting in contact with a club, please contact the NYSF. We can put you in contact with a District Chair who may be able to help you.
If you decide to submit your application as 'Self-funded' and are unable to secure funding from Rotary, your parent or guardian must be ready to pay for your full program participation fee.
Please note that Rotary endorsement is no guarantee of actual funding.
Please note that, should you be successful in securing a place on the program, you are not obliged to accept your offer.
I have applied for a number of programs in January, not just the NYSF. If my applications are successful, can I skip the last few days of the NYSF Year 12 Program so I can attend the other program as well?
We understand that there are other programs that run during the school holidays that you want to attend.
One of the benefits of attending our hybrid program is that you can choose which days and sessions you attend. You are not held to a specific schedule.
If my application is successful, can I select which session I go to?
The NYSF program is a hybrid online and in-person schedule. There is only one session, so there is no need to choose your session. You may choose which in-person STEM Hub you attend, however please note that NYSF does not arrange travel or accommodation for participants to attend STEM Hubs.
I have posted questions about my application on the NYSF Twitter and Facebook page, however, I haven't heard back anything. What do I do now?
While we try to see and respond to everything on social media, there is no guarantee that comments will be seen.
Instead, please email any questions about the Year 12 NYSF Program to programs@nysf.edu.au
How do I apply for an Access and Equity Scholarship?
Applications for Access and Equity Scholarships will be open at a later date. This is a separate process from your program application.
If your attendance is reliant on receiving a Scholarship and you are unsuccessful in your Scholarship application, you will have the option to decline your offer to attend the program.
Rotary interviews and selections
I have completed and submitted my application. What happens next?
After the closing date, all completed applications will be reviewed by your Rotary District Chair. Shortlisted students will then be invited for an interview conducted by Rotary.
District Chairs advise the NYSF of all successful students nominated by the Rotary District to attend the program. Anyone who is unsuccessful will also be notified by a Rotary Chair.
I cannot attend the interview organised by the Rotary District, what should I do?
Respond to the Rotary District Chair who contacted you and discuss your situation.
Alternative arrangements for an interview are subject to the Rotary District Chair's approval.
Please note that organising the interviews involves a lot of logistical arrangements, so we recommend that you make the adjustment from your end instead of asking everyone to change their schedule.
My application is successful, and I have received the details from NYSF with the registration details. How do I travel to my chosen STEM Hub?
In January 2023, students must organise their own transport and any accommodation required for the in-person days.
Students can select which STEM Hub they wish to attend.
I have more questions!
Please contact the NYSF office.
Good luck with your application!