Scholarships 2027
Greater Boardroom Impact with Fully Funded Scholarships
Thanks to a multi-year partnership between the Centre for Social Impact, Paul Ramsay Foundation and Minderoo Foundation, 189 fully funded scholarships are available for current charity board directors to undertake the Governance for Social Impact short course in 2027.
Many charity directors volunteer their time and expertise, and professional development funding is often limited or unavailable. These scholarships aim to increase access to high-quality governance training for directors who might otherwise miss out.
The virtual Governance for Social Impact course helps for-purpose board members move beyond compliance-focused oversight towards governance that is purpose-led, impact-oriented and responsive to complex social challenges.
Download the Scholarship Guidelines for further information and application support.
Scholarship applications open 20 October 2026 and close 10 November 2026.
Governance for Social Impact Scholarships Information Session
Our recent webinar explored what the Governance for Social Impact course covers, how the virtual format works and how to apply for a scholarship. You’ll also hear directly from facilitators and alumni about their experience.
Catch up on the recording and learn more about the opportunity.
What is Governance for Social Impact?
Governance for Social Impact is a practical, four-week online short course tailormade specifically for charity board directors.
Trusted by more than 1,000 board members across Australia, the course explores what effective governance looks like when social impact is at the centre of decision-making.
Discover Governance for Social Impact, including course dates, facilitators and key learning outcomes.
About the scholarships
Successful applicants will receive a fully funded place (valued at $2,100) in one of twelve online cohorts running between March and November 2027.
- As a scholarship recipient, you will have access to:
- Four live 90-minute virtual sessions facilitated by for-purpose governance experts
- Self-paced learning between sessions, including curated readings, case studies and guided reflection
- A carefully sized cohort designed to support candid peer exchange on governance practice under Chatham House Rule
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Governance for Social Impact scholarship applicants must meet all of the following criteria
- Currently serve on the board of an Australian charity that is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be available to attend all live sessions for the course cohort allocated if awarded a scholarship.
What we are looking for
Alongside meeting the eligibility criteria, strong applications will demonstrate:
- A clear reason why now is the right time to undertake Governance for Social Impact.
- Specific areas of their governance skills or knowledge they would like to strengthen.
- A commitment to applying and sharing learning through their board, organisation, sector or community.
- Capacity to attend and actively participate in all course components.
- Financial or organisational barriers that would otherwise prevent participation.
How to apply
Applications open 20 October and close 10 November 2026. Applicants will complete a short online form and will need to provide:
- Proof of eligibility through an ACNC link verifying the charity’s registration and the applicant’s current board position (or alternative evidence where required).
- Availability for course cohorts by selecting all dates you are able to attend.
- Short responses explaining why you are applying, what you hope to gain and how you will use the learning.
Applications will be assessed against eligibility requirements, demonstrated financial need, motivation and readiness to learn, learning goals, and the potential impact of applying and sharing the learning.
Before applying, please download a copy of the Scholarship Guidelines for full eligibility information and application support.
If you have any questions, please check the FAQ’s below or contact us at csinational@unsw.edu.au
Paid places
These scholarships are designed to support board directors and organisations who may not otherwise have access to this opportunity. If you or your organisation have the capacity to self-fund — or if you require a guaranteed place in a specific cohort — a small number of paid places are also available.
The Governance for Social Impact Online course fee is $2,310 (incl GST). A discount of 20% is available for small to medium not-for-profits (under $3m in revenue)
Contact us at csinational@unsw.edu.au or +61 9348 3590 to purchase your seat.