Scholarships for Board Directors

2026 Scholarships

Thanks to a multi-year partnership between the Centre for Social Impact and Minderoo Foundation, 108 fully funded scholarships are available in 2026 for current charity board directors to undertake the Governance for Social Impact course.

Across Australia, most not-for-profit directors serve in a voluntary capacity, and many organisations face financial constraints that limit access to professional development. These scholarships aim to increase access to high-quality governance training for directors who might otherwise miss out.

Governance for Social Impact helps directors move beyond compliance-focused oversight toward more mission-driven, impact and systems-oriented governance.

Applications open 5 March and close 22 March 2026. Ready to apply? Get started!

START YOUR APPLICATION

About the scholarships

Successful applicants will receive a fully funded place (valued at $2,200) in one of six online cohorts running between May and December 2026.

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 apply for a scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
  • Be a current board director of a registered Australian charity.
  • Be able to attend all four live online sessions of your allocated cohort.

What we are looking for

Alongside meeting the eligibility criteria, strong applications will demonstrate:

  • Motivation to strengthen governance practice and contribute to meaningful organisational and sector impact
  • A commitment to applying and sharing learning within your organisation or community, particularly where strengthened governance practice may benefit multiple boards, networks or contexts
  • Capacity to actively engage in all course components
  • A clear need for scholarship support

How to apply

Applications open 5 March and close 22 March 2026. Applicants will complete a short online form including:

  • Proof of eligibility through sharing an ACNC link. Search for your charity here.
  • Rank the six cohort options in order of preference based on your availability
  • 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, motivation, need and commitment to learning. Ready to complete the application form? Get started now!

START YOUR APPLICATION

Please note, these scholarships are intended for directors and organisations who would otherwise be unable to access the course. If you or your organisation have the capacity to pay, or if you require a guaranteed place, a small number of paid places are available in each cohort. Find out more.

Search