For over 60 years, AINSE has provided pathways and networks for scientific collaboration and facilitated world-class research and education across Australia and New Zealand.

From environmental research to materials engineering; from honours projects to early-career research: AINSE offers a variety of scholarships to support students in nuclear science, engineering, and related research fields.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news from AINSE, including details of upcoming AINSE-supported conferences and the annual AINSE Winter Schools and WISE Schools for undergraduate students.

Supporting Nuclear Science and Engineering for over 60 years

Scholarships Provided
Years of Service
Member Organisations

News

Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE): Applications now open

AINSE, in partnership with ANSTO, the Embassy of France in Australia and the Embassy of France in New Zealand, are delighted to announce that applications for the next round of the SAAFE Program are now open for international travel in the period 1st October 2025 – 31st December 2026.

The Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE) Program is an exciting international exchange opportunity open to Early Career Researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral level. Each successful applicant is provided with costs towards a return flight and up to A$200 per week (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) to support accommodation expenses associated with a visit from:

  • Australia/New Zealand to France, or
  • France to Australia.

The SAAFE Program supports Early Career Researchers to expand research and innovation activities with Health, Environment and Nuclear Technologies, and to initiate sustainable research networks and linkages to support Australia, New Zealand and France in research and innovation.

Eligible applicants must be a PhD student in, or hold a postdoctoral appointment at, a French university or AINSE-member university. The research project must be in collaboration with at least one researcher employed by ANSTO or another Australian AINSE-member institution, and at least one researcher employed by a French university or French research institution.

The research internship is required to take place over 8 – 26 weeks between 1st October 2025 and 31st December 2026.

Applications close 1st July 2025. For more information, including a link to the online application portal and the terms & conditions, please visit our SAAFE website.

AINSE Pathway Scholarships: Applications now open

AINSE are now welcoming applications for 2025 AINSE Pathway Scholarships. Eligible students from AINSE Member institutions who will be enrolled in any Honours program OR Masters program, for some period between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2025, are welcome to apply.

AINSE Pathway Scholars will receive a one-off A$5,000 stipend to assist them in their studies, and in their research in collaboration with ANSTO.

Applications close on 15 March 2025. For more details, including terms & conditions and a link to our online application portal, please visit our Pathway Scholarship page.

AINSE 2024 Postgraduate O’Week wraps up!

AINSE celebrated another successful year of our Postgraduate Orientation Week (O’Week) during the International celebrations of Nuclear Science Week. Thirty postgraduate scholars and future scholarship applicants were hosted online from 21st – 25th October where they engaged with ANSTO research leaders and other special guests. 

Read more…

Research Spotlight: Caleb Stamper (The University of Wollongong)

To finish off our Nano November spotlight series we are featuring Caleb Stamper, an AINSE PGRA scholar from the University of Wollongong, whose research explores the use of energy-efficient thermoelectric materials. 

Read more…

Research Spotlight: Cintya Dharmayanti (The University of South Australia)

Kicking off our Nano November spotlight series is the research from PGRA scholar Cintya Dharmayanti, a former PhD student from the University of South Australia, investigating the targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

Read more…

Research Spotlight: Bohao Dong (The University of Melbourne)

Rounding out our October Oceans Month is the research from PGRA scholar Bohao Dong, a PhD student from the University of Melbourne  uncovering the environmental history of the Great Barrier Reef through the study of Giant Clam shells.

Read more…

Research Spotlight: Alexandra Bastick (Charles Sturt University)

AINSE’s focus for October is Oceans Month, which we are kicking off by spotlighting Alexandra (Alex) Bastick: an Honours student from Charles Sturt University, AINSE Pathway Scholar, and emerging young voice in environmental research!

Read more…

28th AINSE Winter School wraps up!

As part of AINSE’s 28th annual Winter School, 42 students had a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes in some of ANSTO’s world-class research facilities at Lucas Heights, South Sydney, and connect with inspiring scientists and engineers from a wide range of STEM disciplines.

Read more…

8th AINSE WISE School: Applications now open

The annual AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School provides an ideal opportunity for first-year undergraduate Women in STEM to network with their peers from across Australia and New Zealand and to hear from special guest speakers about their journeys to successful careers in STEM.

A key component of the WISE school is active participation in an ongoing mentorship program involving the WISE students, past WISE alumni, and staff members from ANSTO and AINSE.

Please visit our WISE School page for more information, and a link to the application portal. Applications will close 30 September 2024.

2024 AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week (Online): Expressions of Interest now received from interested students

From Monday 21st to Friday 26th October, AINSE will host its annual Postgraduate Orientation Week as an entirely-online event, coinciding with international Nuclear Science Week celebrations. Alongside the new cohort of 2024 AINSE Scholars, the O’Week will also be open to interested students enrolled at AINSE-member institutions who intend to apply for an AINSE Honours or postgraduate scholarship in 2025.

Interested students will attend a series of talks and panel discussions from ANSTO research leaders and AINSE alumni alongside the new cohort of 2024 AINSE PGRA andRSS Scholars, and will have the opportunity to embark on a virtual tour of ANSTO hosted by the ANSTO Discovery Centre. A specialised workshop focused on the application process for 2025 AINSE scholarships will also be provided.

The online event will run all day on Monday 21st October, and in the afternoon and early evenings of Tuesday 22nd – Friday 26th October.

Please visit our O’Week page for more information, and a link to the application portal. Applications will close 30 September 2024.

2024 Gold Medal Ceremony and Networking Dinner

On Tuesday 21st May 2024, AINSE Scholar Gold Medals for excellence and impact in research were formally awarded to Dr. Yanxiang Meng and Dr. Oliver Paull in a ceremony hosted in the AINSE Theatre and livestreamed via Zoom.

Following the Gold Medal Ceremony, AINSE’s hosted its annual networking dinner to bring together representatives from the Australasian nuclear science and technology sector. AINSE member representatives from across Australia and New Zealand met with members of the AINSE and ANSTO Boards, representatives from ARWA, ARPANSA, the ANA, ATSE, and AusYGN, alongside AINSE alumni and ANSTO researchers, at the Sydney Masonic Centre.

Read more…

2023 Year in Review

The AINSE team wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and a great year of research ahead, as we reflect on the successes of 2023.

Read more…

Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE): Applications now open

AINSE, in partnership with ANSTO, the Embassy of France in Australia and the Embassy of France in New Zealand, are delighted to announce that applications for the next round of the SAAFE Program are now open for international travel in the period 1st October 2024 – 31st December 2025.

The Scholarship AINSE ANSTO French Embassies (SAAFE) Program is an exciting international exchange opportunity open to Early Career Researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral level. Each successful applicant is provided with costs towards a return flight and up to A$200 per week (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) to support accommodation expenses associated with a visit from:

  • Australia/New Zealand to France, or
  • France to Australia.

The SAAFE Program supports Early Career Researchers to expand research and innovation activities in nuclear science and engineering within the areas of Health, Environment and Nuclear Technologies, and to initiate sustainable research networks and linkages to support Australia, New Zealand and France in research and innovation.

Eligible applicants must be a PhD student in, or hold a postdoctoral appointment at, a French university or AINSE-member university. The research project must be in collaboration with at least one researcher employed by ANSTO or another Australian AINSE-member institution, and at least one researcher employed by a French university or French research institution.

The research internship is required to take place over 8 – 26 weeks between 1st October 2024 and 31st December 2025.

Applications close 1st July 2024. For more information, including the application form and terms & conditions, please visit our SAAFE website.

In Memory of E/Prof. John White

It is with deep sadness that the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) remembers the late Emeritus Professor John William White, who passed away on 16 August 2023.

Read more…

In Memory of Mr. E.A. (Bill) Palmer

It is with deep sadness that AINSE informs the scientific community that Mr E.A. (Bill) Palmer, the first Scientific Secretary/Executive Officer of AINSE, recently passed away in September 2022. Bill made an enormous contribution to Nuclear Science and Engineering as the leader of AINSE from 1959 – 1988.

Read more…

Upcoming Events

29th AINSE Winter School
7–18 July 2025
Online
September 2025
Limited on-site visits at ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus

AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week
Nuclear Science Week, October 2025
Online

9th AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School
December 2025
Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia & Online

About AINSE

The Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE Ltd.) is an integral organisation for enhancing Australia’s and New Zealand’s capabilities in nuclear science, engineering, and related research fields by facilitating world-class research and education. 

AINSE offers a range of programs and services to its members, including generous domestic and international conference support, scholarships for honours & postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers, and intensive undergraduate education schools. These benefits aim to foster scientific advancement and promote an effective collaboration between AINSE members and ANSTO.

We respectfully acknowledge the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which AINSE is located.

Copyright © 2019 AINSE | Powered by Astra