Indigenous leadership
Scholarships
Unlock your leadership potential and create meaningful change in your career, community, and workplace with our scholarships for Indigenous peoples.
We believe that when First Nations leaders are supported to grow, the benefits extend far beyond the individual — strengthening communities, organisations, and the systems that serve all First Peoples.
In partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation, we offer scholarships covering 70–85% of program fees across Ignite, Impact, and Changemakers. You or your employer contributes the rest, as a shared investment in your leadership.
Who can apply
Scholarships are open to First Nations leaders across Australia. To apply, you must:
Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Be 18 years or older
Be self-employed, a tertiary student, or employed by one of the following:
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation
A First Nations-led not-for-profit
A First Nations-owned and operated business
Be able to commit to full participation in your chosen program
Each year we also set aside a small number of Ignite scholarships for tertiary students. And if now isn't the right time — you've just left school, or you're between jobs — we'll work with you to apply again when it is.
What it costs
Your contribution depends on how many people from your organisation have applied in the past 12 months: the first two applicants contribute 15% of the program fee, the third contributes 30%.
| Program | Your contribution (15–30%) |
|---|---|
| Ignite — for team members | A$310 – $620 |
| Impact — for team leaders | A$870 – $1,740 |
| Changemakers — for executive leaders | A$1,480 – $2,960 |
From the fourth applicant onwards, and for not-for-profit and community-controlled organisations with 100+ employees, our community rate applies – 20% off the full program fee.
How it works
Apply online. The online form takes about 5 minutes, and applications are open all year round. We assess them fortnightly, so you'll hear from us within a week of your application being reviewed.
We look at fit. Selection isn't a competition or a points system. We look at the right program for your leadership stage, your aspirations and the impact you want to make, your readiness to take part fully, and the support around you.
We yarn with your endorser. Before confirming your offer, we talk with your CEO or senior manager to make sure the program fits and your organisation is ready to back you with time, space, and their share of the contribution.
You accept your offer. You'll have one week to accept, then you sign your offer letter agreeing to the scholarship conditions, and your organisation is invoiced for its contribution.
You're supported the whole way. You'll have direct access to the First Peoples Leading team from offer to completion. And when you finish, you join our alumni community – a growing network of First Nations leaders across Australia.
Before you apply
Have these 3 things ready:
A support contact. Someone from your organisation – or your community if you're self-employed or studying – who can speak to your application.
Organisational endorsement. Confirmation from a senior leader (CEO, Board Chair, or equivalent) that your organisation supports your application.
Three short responses, 100 words or less each:
Tell us about your leadership journey and aspirations.
What impact do you hope to make in your community or workplace?
Why is a scholarship important for your participation?
By applying, you're agreeing to the scholarship conditions.
Scholarship conditions
These conditions protect the integrity of the program and help our support reach as many leaders as possible.
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Your application must be endorsed by a senior leader – a CEO, Board Chair, or equivalent. Your endorser signs off on the scholarship offer, and you sign and return your offer letter before your place is confirmed.
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You have one week to accept your offer. If we don't hear back, we'll try to reach you and your organisation twice before the offer is withdrawn.
Once you've accepted and registered, your organisation is invoiced for its contribution – if payment isn't received within 14 days, the offer will be withdrawn.
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You must attend all scheduled sessions and complete the full program.
We know life can be unpredictable. Illness, family circumstances, and Sorry Business are realities for many of our participants. If you can't make a session, let the team know – communicating about absences is part of holding a scholarship, and it applies to every session.
Please note: Recipients who don't communicate with the team and fail to attend will be invoiced for the full program fee. Exceptions are decided by First Peoples Leading and are not automatic.
Want the full detail? Download the Scholarship Guidelines (PDF 151 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ignite is designed for team members
Impact, for team leaders and people managers.
Changemakers is for senior leaders and executives.
Still unsure? Contact us for a yarn! We'll be happy to help you choose the right program.
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All of our programs are developed and run by Mob for Mob.
To learn more about our team, please visit our about page.
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Let us know as soon as you can. We understand that illness, family circumstances, and Sorry Business happen.
What matters is staying in touch – recipients who don't communicate and fail to attend may be invoiced for the full program fee.
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No, sorry. Your employer must be either:
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation
A First Nations-led not-for-profit
A First Nations-owned and operated business
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Absolutely! Just fill in your details on our contact page.
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No, unfortunately.
You'll need to arrange and pay for your own travel to and from the venue.
Ignite and Impact face-to-face programs are typically held within Sydney CBD
Changemakers is held at the Rydges, Gold Coast Airport.