First Nations Director Scholarship Program 2026

This program offers First Nations leaders and directors the opportunity to enrich their understanding of organisational governance as they shape the future from the boardroom.

As a First Nations director or leader, you have the potential to influence the lives of all Australians. With a First Nations Director Scholarship, you can enrich your understanding of organisational governance as you shape the future from the boardroom.

Delivered in partnership with the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) and The Observership Program, each scholarship runs for 12 months and includes:

Enrolment into either:                       

- Foundations of Directorship™ for Indigenous organisations           

- Company Directors Course™ for Indigenous business leaders; or            

- The Observership Program

- an AIGI-run workshop exploring excellence in Indigenous governance plus facilitated mentoring by connecting scholars with experienced Indigenous directors

- travel reimbursements and accommodation

- 12-months’ AICD membership

Up to 46 scholarships are available in this final round of the program funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

Applications are open to both AICD members and non-members.

To be eligible, you must: 


• be a person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and 

• be accepted as such by the community in which you live;  

• be currently sitting as a director on a board OR currently sitting on a committee with aspirations of becoming a director;

• be supported by a senior government officer, company director/CEO or First Nations leader as having the potential or prospects to transition to a senior leadership position

• be aged 18 years old or over; 

• be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident; 

• never have been disqualified from being a director of a corporation or organisation; 

• agree to the scholarship timings and commitments (including course attendance) outlined; and 

• meet the pre-requisites required for your preferred course or program. 

Applications close:

Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11:59pm (AWST)

For anyone in our Arabana community that would like to apply and would like assistance, please contact us at Arabana House or email admin@arabana.com.au

For more information and to apply, visit the website: https://www.aicd.com.au/courses-and-programs/scholarships/first-nations-scholarship.html