Chamber Business Advanced member, James Cook University, has some exciting news to share.
School leavers living in the Whitsundays will be eligible for over $25,000 in financial support to study at James Cook University courtesy of a new scholarship from the North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT).
The aim of the NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant is to support the next generation of Whitsunday locals to pursue higher education and a career in the resources sector.
The scholarship will provide a $4,500 bursary to two successful applicants annually over three years, to help ease the financial pressure of relocating to attend university while studying full-time.
Students with home addresses in the Whitsunday Regional Council Local Government Area (including Bowen, Airlie Beach, Proserpine, Collinsville) and studying certain science and environmental science majors are encouraged to apply here.
JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said JCU was delighted to partner with NQXT Pty Ltd and help provide an avenue for students in central and north Queensland to continue their education at the highest level.
“This scholarship will be awarded to students studying Environmental Science, Marine Science, Geology, Data Science, and related fields – who have both strong academic potential and a desire to give back to their community,” he said.
“Scholarship recipients will receive financial assistance to alleviate the costs of studying full-time, as well as undertake a work placement at the North Queensland Export Terminal to gain hands-on industry exposure, mentorship, and invaluable networking opportunities.”
When awarding the scholarship, JCU and NQXT Pty Ltd will assess applicants on academic performance, community involvement, and extracurricular achievements, as well as their commitment to live and work in central and north Queensland upon graduation.
The North Queensland Export Terminal is a multi-user export cargo handling facility located within the Port of Abbot Point, about 25 kilometres north of the town of Bowen on Queensland’s east coast.
The Terminal has a nameplate capacity of 50 million tonnes per annum and provides export access for customers with high quality thermal or metallurgical coal mines in the Bowen and Galilee basins.
NQXT Pty Ltd General Manager Mark Smith said the business was excited that the first scholarship would be awarded early next year.
“We are pleased to be able to provide this terrific opportunity for a young person from our local community to take a first step towards their future career,” Mr Smith said.
“The North Queensland Export Terminal plays a vital role in supporting local, state, and national economies by enabling the export of Queensland’s high quality thermal and metallurgical coal to the world, which generates the royalties that are a mainstay of the Queensland budget.”
Applications for the NQXT Whitsunday Futures Education Grant are now open.
To apply, click here. Applications close January 16, 2026.
A Time for Thanks and Community Support