Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

We believe you're capable of creating positive change in Australia – and potentially the world. Ready to take the next step in your journey? Apply now for a Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship.

Applications open 5 July and close 6 September 2023

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The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is one of five scholarship programs offered by Westpac Scholars, with 17 scholarships on offer each year.

Whether your focus is Asia, new technology, or social change, the scholarships offers financial assistance for postgraduate study for talented individuals at Australia's leading universities. You'll be chosen for your potential to make a difference to Australia's future in one of four focus areas:

• Technology and innovation
• Strengthening Australia-Asia ties
• Enabling positive social change
• Building a sustainable future

About the program

Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships are among the most powerful development scholarships in Australia. As well as investing up to $120,000 over two to three years into your postgraduate studies, the scholarship will also shape your leadership skills far beyond your expectations.

Leadership program

The scholarship supports individuals undertaking postgraduate study that will ultimately make a difference to Australia in one of three areas; technology and innovation, fostering Australian-Asian ties, and enabling positive social change. As well as your studies, the scholarship provides a nine-month Leadership Development Program to build on your personal strengths and give you the insights, learning and inspiration you need to make your mark on the world.

Global experience

You'll be encouraged to open up your mind to new experiences by heading overseas for up to six months to study. Whether it be at a world class university, or with a non-government or private organisation, you're guaranteed to make valuable international connections and discover new insights to bring your vision to life.

Scholars network

As a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar, you'll also become a part of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. Lifelong membership to this network gives you access to one of Australia's most diverse meetings of like minds. Drawing on this network's strong sense of purpose and desire to collaborate, it's designed to be inspiring, influential and to provide a lifelong learning experience.

Hear from some of our scholars

 

 

"If you have a passion, if you love volunteering, if you love doing internships and research, if you're doing mentoring – anything that shows how you're participating in your community and how much you love to go out to do things to help people, then you're a really good candidate for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship and I would definitely recommend that you apply. It's such an amazing opportunity."

Kelly MacKinnon
2021 Westpac Scholar

 

"If you're wanting to apply but have reservations, just do it! There's nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's an amazing experience that opens countless doors. Through the process of applying and certainly during the program you'll learn a lot about yourself and others."

Elliott Fourie
2023 Westpac Scholar

 

 

 

"Being a Westpac Scholar means that I am connected to an incredible and growing network of ambitious, passionate and innovative change-makers. The opportunity to reach out for support or to discuss a new idea is met with meaningful assistance and encouragement. The other Westpac Scholars want to see you succeed and will be in your corner the whole way through your academic journey."

Cam Thorn
2019 Westpac Scholar

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants are required to:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (NZ citizens who are not also Australian citizens are not eligible).
• You have completed your first undergraduate degree after 1 September 2018, OR will complete by 31 December 2023.
• Have achieved or are on track to achieve an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent (approximately 75 WAM).
• Have chosen to undertake a full-time master's by coursework or research or a PhD at UWA.
• Have chosen a field of study which, for PhD and master's by research applicants has an ERA four digit FOR rating of 'well above world standard' and for master's by coursework applicants, must be in area of world-class standing.
• Commence study in 2024 (Jan - Dec 2024), not before.

• The proposed program of study:

• Can be in any field and must be relevant to the Trust's focus areas

• Includes international opportunities, such as a period of study at an overseas university, an invited presentation at a conference significant to the discipline, or a period of internship or placement at an overseas organisation, which will develop your leadership skills and global networks
• Underpin a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia

• Funding requests for the purpose of medical research as defined in the ARC Medical Research Policy available on the Australian Research Council website will not be considered; MD, juris doctor programs or equivalent are also excluded.
• Master's by coursework programs must be completed within two years.
• Supply two letters of reference – one academic reference and one personal reference.
• PhD and master's by research applicants must also supply one letter of support from either a supervisor, dean of the faculty or head of school, or equivalent.

Contact us

Email: Westpac Scholars