The Graduate Entrepreneurial Program (GEP)
The ECIC offers scholarships to support the development of innovative entrepreneurial business ideas through its Graduate Entrepreneurial Program (GEP). The GEP is a suite of 3 programs: the Business Initiatives from Graduates (BIG), the Graduate Business Support Scheme (GBSS) and the Premier’s Enterprise Scholarship (PES). GEP applicants can apply for a broad range of business support and training, including serviced offices in the University of Adelaide's Student Entrepreneurial Incubator (ThInc Lab).
The objective of the GEP is to provide participants with an opportunity to develop a business idea in South Australia as a core project within an academic program. Participants are accommodated free of cost at the ThInc Lab, a stimulating business incubator environment, for up to 6 months. During this time participants study either the Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship or the Graduate Certificate in Science & Technology Commercialisation, or in the case of the GBSS program, participate in business skills development workshops. After 6 months, participants have the option of extending their ThInc Lab occupancy at reduced cost.
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Business Initiatives from Graduates (BIG)
4 scholarships
The BIG Program was established in 1993 to encourage and support university and TAFE graduates from any discipline to consider self employment and business enterprise as a career option. Participants are offered the opportunity to develop a knowledge based business idea as a core project within the Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship or Graduate Certificate in Science & Technology Commercialisation and receive a scholarship and a broad range of financial and in-kind support valued at approx $10,000.
Graduate Business Support Scheme (GBSS)
2 scholarships
The GBSS was established in 1995 to encourage and support University of Adelaide PhD and Masters candidates in the final year of their candidature, who have an idea for a business venture arising from their research, to consider self employment and business enterprise as a career option. Participants are offered an opportunity to undertake some initial development of their business idea through attending a series of 10 business skills development workshops, while receiving in-kind support through the program.
Premier’s Enterprise Scholarship (PES)
2 scholarships
The scholarship is open to applicants with a business proposal from any discipline which incorporates information technology and commercialisation and who is able to demonstrate a record of innovative and entrepreneurial activity. Applicants must be a university graduate or an eligible TAFE diplomat, a final year, honours or postgraduate student (TAFE diplomats are eligible where they are able to give satisfactory evidence of their ability to undertake the academic coursework).
You may be eligible for entry into the Graduate Entrepreneurial Program if:
- You are not a University of TAFE graduate but you can demonstrate a record of innovation/entrepreneurship
- You are able to give satisfactory evidence of your ability to undertake postgraduate study in Innovation and Entrepreneurship or Technology Commercialisation
- You are a university or TAFE graduate, a final year, honours or postgraduate student or a PhD or Masters candidate at the mid-point or approaching the completion of your candidature
- You have a genuine desire to develop the highly regarded skills of Idea/Opportunity/Assessment, Innovative Thinking, Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- You have an idea for a new business venture you wish to commence in South Australia, or a business idea at an early stage of development you would like to investigate further
- You are an Australian Citizen or you have Permanent Residency Status
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Introductory Workshop
To ensure your GEP application is successful, why not attend our introductory workshop? How to turn a great idea into an even greater application is an introductory 'start your own business' workshop for those aspiring entrepreneurs with a business idea but not sure where to start. The workshop will be held in July.
Please visit the ECIC Event Calendar for more information.
Application Process
- Download the Application Form
- Nominate the programs you wish to apply for on the cover of the Application Form
- Applications must include a copy of your most recent Academic Transcript together with a copy of a recent CV with 2 referees
- GBSS applicants must enclose a letter of support from their academic supervisor
- Submit your application before the closing date: COB Wednesday 2nd September 2009
Download the following information:
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