2026 Scholarships

At the Centre for Social Impact, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for igniting social change. Each year, our scholarships support students dedicated to alleviating social inequities and creating sustainable solutions that address the root causes of disadvantage across Australia and beyond.

In 2026, we’re continuing this commitment with over $100,000 of scholarship funding to be awarded to changemakers studying social impact at one of our partner universities:

• Flinders University (CSI Flinders)
• Swinburne University of Technology (CSI Swinburne)
• The University of New South Wales (CSI UNSW)
• The University of Western Australia (CSI UWA)

Made possible through generous donations from our supporters, these postgraduate scholarships expand access to education and leadership development, while helping to alleviate economic barriers to study. They empower recipients to deepen their knowledge, grow their networks, and create lasting social impact in their communities.

What CSI national social impact scholarships are available in 2026?

Each university has a total pool of funds to award students who are either commencing or continuing their postgraduate study with the Centre for Social Impact in 2026.

Specific information for each university is outlined in the table below.

Please note:

• The allocation of scholarship funds will be determined by the judging panel at each university. For example, $30,000 could be awarded as six $5,000 scholarships, three $10,000 scholarships, or two $15,000 scholarships.
• These scholarships are not full or cash scholarships
• If successful, the scholarship amount is applied as a discount against course fees

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be commencing or continuing in an eligible CSI program at one of our participating universities
• Be intending to complete the program of study within the allocated time frame (full-time/part equivalent)
• Are a Domestic student which includes Australian or New Zealand Citizens and Permanent Residents
• Are not in a receipt of another scholarship towards your program of study (Students receiving a commonwealth supported place are still eligible)

Please note that scholarships are not available for:

• Fellowships
• PhD funding
• Business proposals

We encourage you to explore other funding opportunities that may better suit these goals.

How to apply

Click the link for your chosen university below to apply for a scholarship.

Each university has a unique process to align with their academic calendar and ensure successful applicants can be notified before 2026 classes begin. You will need to apply for your preferred university course before submitting a scholarship application.

• Swinburne University: You must complete and submit your course application before applying for a scholarship.
  

• UNSW, University of Western Australia, and Flinders University: You only need to start your course application before completing your scholarship application form.

The scholarship application takes about 30 minutes to complete. Good luck!

FAQs

Have more questions? Find all the details on our dedicated FAQ page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Information Session

Catch the replay of our recent webinar, Social Impact Scholarships: Alumni Q&A + How to Apply. Hear real stories from alumni, get tips and advice on applying, and learn how postgraduate study is driving positive change nationwide.