Five Indigenous scholars will attend some of the world's most prestigious universities after an announcement from Indigenous non-profit the Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora).

Amongst the recipients who will study at the University of Oxford, King's College London and one of the world's most important centres for earth science research and education, the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, are two Charlie Perkins scholars and three Roberta Sykes scholars.

This year's scholars are Warumungu man and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Ethan Taylor (Oxford); Wardandi Noongar woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Danielle Kampers (Scripps Institute of Oceanography); Warumungu woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Madeline (Mady) Wills (King's College); Gamilaroi woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, Brooke Boney (Oxford); and Tiwi/Iwaidja, Kaytej/Warlpiri woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, Hmalan Hunter-Xenie (Oxford).

Ms Hunter-Xenie said being announced as a 2024 Charlie Perkins and Chevening scholar made her feel "very special".

"In the short term I want Indigenous decision making to be the norm, so programs are developed through that process to facilitate Indigenous livelihoods on-Country and second that Indigenous Knowledges are increasingly accepted on par with western science," she said.

"In the longer term I want to see more Indigenous professionals in STEM and an extension from this - to see more women in managerial positions as Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management roles continue to be predominantly male dominated - similar to many STEM fields.

"If my work directly, or indirectly helps to achieve those things then I know my efforts have made a positive difference."

Ms Wills said she "forgot what feelings were" when she found out she had won the scholarship.

"I didn't know how to feel because everything seemed completely surreal," she said.

"I didn't expect that from merely one phone call, my next year and career trajectory could change so much, but in that moment, I had nothing but excitement and disbelief."

Aurora's programs help to remove systemic barriers that hinder Indigenous potential being realised. Almost 100 Indigenous postgraduate scholars have studied or taught at some of these and other top universities through the scholarship programs.

As of 15 years ago, there had never been an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person graduate from Oxford or Cambridge.

Aurora's chief executive, Leila Smith, said she was "incredibly proud" of the newest scholars.

"Our 2024 scholarship recipients are part of a growing cohort of Indigenous students who reflect the diversity of Indigenous excellence, commitment to community and influencing meaningful change in their fields," Ms Smith said.