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June Factor Scholarship in Children's Play Culture
Applications open Monday 18 May and close 5pm Monday 8 June 2026.
Generously established by June Factor's family, to celebrate her dedication, advocacy and significant studies into children's own play culture. This scholarship is to assist a student enrolled in the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies and undertaking a research paper or a minor thesis.
Value
- Up to $10,000 - a combination of Student contribution (tuition fee) and cash payments.
Duration
- This scholarship is awarded as a one-off payment.
Am I eligible?
Ensure you meet all criteria before submitting an application. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be:
- enrolled in the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (A768 or A768I) in Trimester/Semester 2, 2026 at Deakin University
- undertaking a research paper (AIX701) or a minor thesis (AIX704 or AIX705) in Trimester/Semester 2, 2026
- for minor thesis students, you must have either already passed, or be currently undertaking, AIX706 - Research Design.
Selection criteria
Preference will be given to students enrolled in the minor thesis units who have an interest in undertaking research into the culture, heritage and traditions of school-age children's play, using museum collections and archives.
Consideration will be given to:
- Your proposed research topic, and what the general aims of your research are.
- Your interest in the research and how your background and experience are relevant.
- The proposed activities and the locations where they will take place.
- How receiving this scholarship would support your research and contribute to your field of study.
Deakin alumni discount
If you are successful in receiving an offer for this scholarship and you are eligible for the Deakin alumni discount, you can only hold one. You will be asked to nominate which arrangement you would like to hold. If you do not make a nomination, the Deakin alumni discount will automatically be withdrawn.
Maintaining this scholarship
To retain this scholarship, you'll need to:
- Provide an introductory statement about your goals for study and what it means to receive the scholarship.
- Submit a completion statement at the conclusion of your research paper or minor thesis.
- Conduct your research along ethical lines as per the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025. Depending on the focus and methodology, this may require approval from Deakin University’s Research Ethics team.
- If your research involves the collection at Museums Victoria, provide a copy of your final Research Paper or Minor Thesis to the Museum upon completion of your unit to support documentation of the collection.
There may be an opportunity for you to be invited to undertake research at Museums Victoria subject to your project’s alignment with the Australian Children’s Folklore Collection’s (ACFC) research interests and hosting capacity. The decision to accept any potential offer is yours and will not impact your eligibility to receive this scholarship
About the donor
Generously established by June Factor's family, to celebrate her dedication, advocacy and significant studies into children's own play culture. Dr. June Factor A.M., a luminary in the fields of folklore and social history, stood as Australia's leading authority on children's play and lore. Possessing a formidable intellect and unwavering dedication to meticulous research, she revolutionized our understanding of children's culture. Her groundbreaking studies, particularly her seminal work, "Captain Cook Chased a Chook," illuminated the intricate world of children's games, rhymes, and language, revealing the underlying structure and significance of their play. Furthermore, her visionary co-founding of the Australian Children's Folklore Collection, a globally significant archive, and its subsequent donation to Museums Victoria, solidified her legacy as a guardian of cultural heritage. This scholarship aims to honor June’s work while inspiring the next generation of scholars and researchers to delve into the rich tapestry of children's culture, ensuring her pioneering insights continue to inform and enrich our understanding of childhood and society.
Ready to apply?
Register and log in to Deakin's Scholarship Application Portal, then select ‘June Factor Scholarship in Children's Play Culture’.
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an interview.
Numbers of this scholarship are limited; not all eligible applicants will receive one. If you're successful, you'll be notified via email; usually within four weeks of the application closing date. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.
Supporting documents
After the closing date, shortlisted applicants will be contacted and asked to provide a one-page CV prior to interview.
How to write a successful application
Applying for a scholarship isn't just about meeting the eligibility criteria. It’s your opportunity to stand out and be recognised for where you’ve come from and where you want to go.
Missed the application deadline?
This scholarship is yet to be confirmed for any future offerings. Please check this page at a later date for updates.
