The Ivor Frederick Church Bursary - for Financial Assistance for Post Graduate Study within Australia or Overseas

Ivor Church

The late Reverend Canon Ivor Frederick Church was Principal of St Francis’ Theological College in Brisbane from 1951 to 1981. He opened the College up to the diocese, permitting lay people to study there, forming a postulants’ guild, hosting conferences, and frequently preaching and lecturing outside the College. During this time, it was recognised that married ordinands needed to have an accepted place in college life and accommodation was built for this purpose, now known as the Ivor Church Units.

Canon Ivor Church was a member at various times of General Synod, the Diocesan Council, The Council of the Australian College of Theology, the Doctrine Commission of the Church of England in Australia and Chairman of the Queensland Committee of the Liturgical Commission; President of Parish and People and Founder/President of Broughton Press.

Canon Ivor Church was charitable in his judgements and open to new insights and directions, provided they were theologically tested and prayerfully considered. Accordingly, he advocated the remarriage of divorcees in church, the ordination of women, and the embracing of liturgical reform and ecumenism.

Source: The Right Rev’d Dr Jonathan Holland in the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Biography - Ivor Frederick Church - Australian Dictionary of Biography (anu.edu.au)

Legacy

The Rev’d Canon Ivor Frederick Church stated in his will that 95% per annum (of the income) be awarded as an annual bursary to be granted to a past student of St Francis’ College to assist in post graduate studies overseas. “The bursary shall be paid at the discretion of the Trustee to such person as recommended by the principal for the time being of St. Francis’ College in consultation with the St. Francis’ College Council.” Sealed Orders from the Supreme Court of Queensland 15 February 2022 amended this to “past students of St Francis' College to assist with postgraduate studies in Australia or overseas.” 

Guidelines for the Application and Distribution of Bequest Income

The Ministry Education Commission decided (August 2024) to focus the distribution of the Ivor Church bursary towards encouraging St Francis College alumni to enrol in higher degree by research awards.  Priority will be given to applications for the payment of research student fees for doctoral programs with the University of Divinity.  Consideration will also be given to covering the student fees for a Minor Thesis as part of another award such as the Graduate Certificate in Research Methods or the Masters of Theology.  In keeping with the original intent of the will, it is also possible to apply for bursaries for courses and conferences held overseas. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be current or former students of St. Francis (Theological College) residing in the Province of Queensland at the time of application.

The applicant must have capacity to contribute to the future of Australian theological scholarship and education.

Applicants need to provide documentation for one of the following:
(1) course admission into a higher degree research program at the University of Divinity.
(2) a Minor Thesis proposal, or
(3) the registration information or application form for an overseas course or conference.

Successful applicants for research fee scholarships must be enrolled to study in 2025, and bursaries for overseas courses and conferences must be scheduled for the 2025 calendar year.


Category 1: Research Student Fee Payment Bursary
To receive a Research Student Fee Payment Bursary, the research student needs to provide a copy of their proposal and evidence of their admission to a doctoral program with the University of Divinity.  To ensure coverage of the student fees, fulltime HDR students may apply for a bursary of up to $20 000 a year, and parttime HDR students for a bursary of up to $10 000.
The annual fees for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy at 2025 rates:

  • $19, 608 for full time study (3 years for a PhD, 1.5 years for a M.Phil).

  • $ 9, 804 for part-time study (up to 8 years for a PhD, up to 4 years for a M.Phil)

The full list of 2025 Tuition Fees: 2025 Tuition Fees Grid Table-2024-08-23.xlsx (divinity.edu.au)
Successful applicants for a research student fee payment bursary in 2025 may receive fee funding for subsequent years following a review of progress each year.

Category 2: Contribution to Minor Thesis Unit Enrolment.
Students may apply for a $5000 bursary to contribute to the cost of enrolling in a Minor Thesis undertaken as part of another award such as Graduate Certificate in Research Methods or in the Masters of Theology. Applicants need to provide their minor thesis proposal for consideration.

Category 3: Overseas Study Scholarships (Conferences and Short Courses)
To apply for funding for an overseas study experience, such as participating in “the Canterbury Course” the applicant must explain the value of the course and how both they and the Anglican Church Southern Queensland would benefit from them attending.  

Eligibility

Applicants must be current or former students of St. Francis (Theological) College.

Applicants must be successfully admitted to a PhD program at the University of Divinity or enrolled in the Minor Thesis unit at the University of Divinity to receive a Research Fee Bursary; or show evidence of successful registration for an overseas course or conference.

The applicant must have capacity to make a contribution to Australian theological scholarship and education.

Successful applicants for research fee scholarships must be enrolled to study in 2025, and bursaries for overseas courses and conferences must be applied in the 2025 calendar year.

Reporting

Upon completion of the program of study funded by this bursary, the recipient must submit a report to the Principal of St. Francis’ College detailing how the scholarship was utilised and the benefits derived from it.

Confidentiality

All information provided in the scholarship application will be treated confidentially. It will only be accessed and reviewed by authorised personnel involved in the selection process.

Process

The Principal of St Francis College will call a panel (including the Research Coordinator and Academic Dean) to consider the relative merits of the applications.  Recommendations will be presented to the Ministry Education Commission as the “St Francis College Council”, and then this advice will be given to the Trustees for the release of funds before January 2025.

Applications are due on November 30.


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