ARN and AFTRS launch new scholarship to foster diversity

ARN and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) have today announced a new scholarship aimed at supporting and developing talent who represent the diversity of Australian audiences in radio and podcasting.

The ARN Radio and Podcasting Scholarship will be offered annually for the next three years, starting from the 2024 academic year intake, and has been established to support individuals from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds or under-represented groups in radio and podcasting.

It offers $15,000 plus a paid internship and 12-month employment contract.

It is intended to recognise creative excellence and the capacity, skills, knowledge, connections and potential that representation and the inclusion of diverse identities can bring to telling stories at AFTRS, and will be assessed on those grounds.

ARN Chief Content Officer Duncan Campbell says “We’re delighted to be able to work with AFTRS to offer this terrific opportunity.”

“At ARN, we recognise the power of diversity in shaping creative excellence. We are committed to fostering a more inclusive and representative industry, and through this scholarship, we aim to provide aspiring radio and podcasting professionals with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”

AFTRS Program Convenor – Graduate Diploma In Radio And Podcasting, Natalie Pozdeev adds “We’re thrilled to be working with ARN to deliver this opportunity for emerging content makers in the radio and podcasting industry.”

“AFTRS is committed to ensuring that its world leading education is available to all Australians. This scholarship supports the future of local audio storytelling, ensuring that we hear stories that encompass all that makes us uniquely Australian.”

The scholarship will be awarded to a full-time or part-time student enrolling in AFTRS Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, and offers $15,000 to cover either living allowance, relocation costs, study resources, fees, or other costs.

In addition, the successful applicant will be provided with a paid internship at ARN one day per week for one semester and will be offered 12 months’ full-time or part-time employment within the radio and/or podcast divisions at ARN, as long as all performance measures are met.

Applications are now open and will close November 14, 2023.

Further details are available on the AFTRS website.