Students studying STEM at South Australian universities will soon be able to apply for a scholarship that includes both financial support and invaluable mentoring to help them establish a successful future career in Australia’s submarine workforce.
Applications for the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) Propel: Australian Submarine Scholarship program are set to open in coming months, delivered in partnership with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).
Successful applicants will enter a two-year program designed to connect them with opportunities involving the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine enterprise such as Defence and defence industry workshops, internships, and career expos.
There will be 3,000 scholarship placements across Australia valued at $15.8 million, with individual scholarship recipients to receive $5,000 in addition to career mentorship.
ASA Deputy Director-General Technical, Tim Hodgson, said the Propel scholarships will support young people to develop the capabilities needed to safeguard the nation.
“AUKUS represents one of the most significant industrial endeavours in our country’s history. The success of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines relies on people developing the skills needed to build and sustain them,’ said Mr Hodgson.
‘The Propel scholarship program will support the defence industry by strengthening our nation’s future STEM capable workforce and continuing investment in young Australians who will make up our future workforce.’
Mr Hodgson congratulated ATSE on being selected to deliver the program.
“ATSE has a history of delivering successful scholarship programs with connections to academia, industry and government, including Defence and Defence-adjacent organisations, to provide the best educational and career outcomes for scholarship recipients.”
Across the country, the conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine program is expected to create around 20,000 highly skilled jobs for Australians, including 4,000-5,500 new jobs in South Australia.
The SSN-AUKUS class submarines will be built in Adelaide at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in a joint venture between ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems.
Potential applicants are encouraged to remain updated by visiting the ATSE’s Australian Submarine Scholarship Program website with more information to become available in coming months.
Published 26 August 2025
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