Nicholas and Jennifer Searcy Bursary for Research into Representation at Coronial Inquests
Available to law, criminology, and students undertaking an assignment, project, or related activity focused on coronial law or practice. Areas of interest may include coronial processes, family rights and participation, legal representation of families, deaths in custody, and related topics.
Applications from students experiencing financial hardship or personal adversity are particularly encouraged.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- Be enrolled in any area of study at Murdoch University.
- Be undertaking a supervised legal research project, honours paper, or developing publishable material, such as a research paper or educational resource, related to coronial law or practice.
- Have a project or activity that contributes to one or more of the following areas:
- Improving understanding of coronial law, practices, or the Western Australian Coroner's Court.
- Providing information and support resources for families of persons who have died in custodial circumstances, including under the Mental Health Act.
- Supporting legal practitioners or law students undertaking pro bono work for families involved in coronial proceedings.
- Promoting coronial law reform or improving access to representation for family members participating in coronial inquiries.
How to Apply
This scholarship is currently accepting applications.
Current students with a Murdoch University Student ID number can complete this application form and upload your supporting documentation to the application form.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email scholarships@murdoch.edu.au.
Required Documents
- Project proposal or statement outlining your proposed work and its relevance to coronial law or practice
- Personal statement (no more than 300 words) describing any financial hardship, personal adversity, or other circumstances you would like taken into consideration (if applicable)
File naming: Where possible, please name your files using your surname, first name initial and date.
For example: ApplicationSmithJ25Aug26; StatementSmithJ25Aug26; ReferenceSmithJ25Aug26
Payment Method
Payments will be made directly into recipient's nominated bank account in the following instalments:
- $3,000 in the semester you are awarded
Scholarship payment processing commences from week 7 of each respective semester.
Note: While we endeavour to process and pay all scholarship student payments within week 7 and/or 8 of the respective semester, in some unforeseen circumstances your payment may arrive in your bank account later than week 8.
All payments are subject to your acceptance and ongoing compliance with the terms and conditions of the award.