Scholarships
Applications Open
Applications are now open for up to 35 fully funded scholarships to undertake a short course through The Giving Academy in 2027.
Delivered by the Centre for Social Impact, these scholarships will help even more people access professional development in philanthropy, removing financial barriers and supporting greater diversity across the sector.
The Giving Academy Scholarship Program is made possible through the generous support of Minderoo Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation and Equity Trustees.
Applications are open between 10 November and 30 November 2026.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Giving Academy Scholarships for 2027 are open to people working across the philanthropic ecosystem who meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:
- You identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- You identify as gender diverse
- Your work is substantially connected to climate-related issues
- You work for a small to medium-sized grantmaking organisation including but not limited to those advancing social and public welfare, education or health (annual distribution under $5million)
- You work for a small to medium-sized grantseeking organisation that is advancing social and public welfare, education or health (annual revenue under $3million)
- The organisation you work for must be based in Australia. While the organisation may fund, support or deliver projects overseas, its primary place of operation and governance must be in Australia.
Download the Scholarship Guidelines for further information and application support.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND COURSES
These scholarships cover the full cost of participation in one of The Giving Academy short courses, valued at $3,080 ($2,800 plus GST) for the virtual course, or $4,290 ($3,900 plus GST) for the hybrid in-person course.
As a scholarship recipient, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Learn from leading experts – Gain insights from experienced facilitators and practitioners at the forefront of philanthropy and social impact.
- Build valuable connections and partnerships – Learn alongside a diverse national network of peers sharing experiences, perspectives and ideas.
- Turn learnings into action – Gain practical tools, resources and frameworks that you can apply immediately to strengthen your work.
- Be supported to succeed – Benefit from a supportive learning environment that encourages reflection, discussion and exchange of ideas.
- Deepen your learning at your own pace – Explore curated readings, real-world case studies and guided reflection activities between sessions.
We recommend reviewing the courses and upcoming delivery dates before applying.
What we're looking for
In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, we are looking for applicants who are committed to deep learning and applying new ideas in their work and communities.
Strong applications will demonstrate:
- Why now is the right time for you to participate in the course
- What you hope to learn from the course
- How you will apply and share your learning in your work and community
- The financial or organisational barriers that would otherwise prevent you from participating
How to apply
Applications are open between 10 November and 30 November 2026.
The online application takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and includes:
- An eligibility check
- Questions about your organisation and work context
- Information about financial or organisational barriers to participation
- Three short written responses about:
- Why now is the right time for you to take this course
- What you hope to learn
- How you will apply and share your learning
Before applying, please download a copy of the Scholarship Guidelines for full eligibility information and application support. If you require reasonable adjustments or accessibility support contact csinational@unsw.edu.au .
If you have any questions about eligibility, application requirements, supporting documents or submitting your application please check the FAQ’s below or email the team.
Paid Places
The Giving Academy Scholarships are designed to expand access to professional learning across the philanthropy and social impact sectors. They are intended for people who would otherwise be unable to participate due to financial or organisational constraints.
If you or your organisation has the capacity to fund participation, or if you require a guaranteed place in a specific course, paid places are available in all courses.
A 20% discount is available for those from a grantseeking not-for-profit organisation, or Philanthropy Australia members from grantmaking organisations distributing less than $5 million annually.
The Giving Academy Information Session
Our recent scholarship information session explored the 2027 opportunities available through The Giving Academy, including eligibility, courses on offer and tips for applying.
Missed the session? Catch up on the recording below and learn more about the scholarship streams, available courses and application process. Download the webinar slides .