The scholarships provide a first-hand view of the work at a research observatory and scholars have access to state-of-the-art optical, infrared, radio, computational and laboratory facilities. Areas of research include instrumentation for astronomy and space, star formation, stellar evolution, galactic dynamics, observational cosmology, active galactic nuclei, interstellar-medium physics, computational astrophysics and planetary science.

These scholarships are intended for currently enrolled undergraduate students completing the second or third year of a full-time course leading to an Honours degree. 

Program

Each day the student will learn about a specific theme related to the research in the astronomy field. 

Monday – Science Goals

Day of lectures from experts on stars, galaxy evolution, cosmology and exoplanet research. The day will conclude with an exercise on science goal writing. 

Tuesday – Astronomical instrumentation

Lectures on Imaging and spectroscopic instrumentation. Exercise on instrument design. 

Wednesday – Astronomical observations

Lectures and exercises on observation proposal principles and observation preparations. Evening will be spent on telescope taking data that will be used for the rest of the week. 

Thursday – Data analysis

Lectures and exercises on data analysis principles and software. Data taken from the previous day will be used for this analysis work.

Friday – Scientific writing 

LaTex primer and lecture on scientific writing principles. Report on the week observations produced by the students. 

Program and application dates

The RSAA Winter Program Scholarship will run from Monday 13th of July 2026 to Friday 17th of July 2026.

Applications are open between the 1^st of March 2026 to the 15^th of March 2026. Candidates must send their CV and the application form by email to Associate Professor Tony Travouillon. Candidate will receive outcome of the applications by the 21^st of March 2026. Applicants must be currently enrolled as students (international and domestic) at an Australian University in their 3rd or 2nd year. Students studying at universities in New Zealand are welcome to apply.

Benefits

• Summer Research Interns will receive a weekly stipend scholarship (tax-free) of AUD$500 for the full duration of the program.
• Travel to and from the student point of origin will be reimbursed to the student (economy class plane ticket or fuel reimbursement if driving)
• Accommodation and two daily meals will be provided at the ANU Yukeembruk village, during the length of the program (Sunday night to Friday night).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

RSAA has dedicated places for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have questions, please contact Associate Professor Tony Travouillon for the AITC Summer program, contact details below.

RSAA summer research program contacts

• Summer Student Program: Associate Professor Tony Travouillon
• Student administration officer: Sam Slater

General

• All participants will receive a statement of participation at the end of the program.
• The primary working location will be Mount Stromlo Observatory.
• Transport to and from Mount Stromlo Observatory is the responsibility of the student. A free shuttle bus is available to students between the ANU main campus in the morning (leaving campus at around 8:30 a.m. from Uni Lodge – Warrumbul Lodge and arriving at 9:00 a.m. at Mount Stromlo) and the evening (departing Mount Stromlo at 5:00 p.m.).
• Students must be available for the full duration of the program.

This is a non-negotiable requirement. The internship runs Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Wednesday which will run until late.