John Lions Computer Science Honours Scholarship 2026

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has officially opened applications for the prestigious John Lions Computer Science Honours Scholarship 2026 (UGCA1645). This award is designed to recognize and support a top-performing student entering their Honours year in the field of Systems or Open Source at the School of Computer Science & Engineering.

If you are passionate about operating systems design, implementation, and research, this is your chance to shine.

Scholarship Award Package

The John Lions Scholarship comes with a one-year financial award of $15,000, aimed at supporting high-achieving students in their final Honours project. This generous package is specifically tailored for those working on theses in operating systems, ensuring that the best minds in computer science are encouraged to push innovation forward.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the John Lions Computer Science Honours Scholarship 2026, applicants must be commencing full-time Honours study at UNSW Engineering. Eligible programs include the Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering (Honours), the Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering (Honours), and the Bachelor of Engineering in Bioinformatics (Honours).

Applicants are expected to have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75 or above, which equates to a Distinction level, and should also hold a High Distinction average in systems-related courses. In addition, candidates must be undertaking an Honours thesis focused on operating systems, with scope for research in areas such as design, implementation, evaluation, or verification.

Selection will be based primarily on academic merit, but the committee will also assess the applicant’s aptitude, commitment to systems research, and the quality of the proposed thesis project. Supporting documents are required as part of the online application, and candidates should refer carefully to the UNSW guidelines to ensure all documentation is complete.

Apply: https://www.scholarships.unsw.edu.au/scholarships/id/1757/6798

Application Timeline

The last date to apply for the John Lions Computer Science Honours Scholarship 2026 is August 31, 2025, with the scholarship commencing in Term 3, 2025.