First Nations Director Scholarship Program

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is pleased to announce the launch of the second round of the First Nations Director Scholarship Program, which is aimed at developing a cohort of First Nations directors to contribute to both First Nation and non-Indigenous boards across Australia.

Funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), this program will see 135 governance scholarships delivered over a three-year period. In its first year, 34 scholarship places were awarded to deserving individuals around the country.

To deliver the second round of the program, the AICD is partnering with the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) and The Observership Program. It will provide up to 56 full-fee scholarships to directors and leaders reporting to the boards of First Nation and non-Indigenous organisations. Applicants who provide evidence of being on the board or committee of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) will be considered more favourably for this program. 

• Applications open: Monday 1 July 2024 
• Applications close: Sunday 25 August 2024 (11:59pm AWST) 
   

Scholarship overview and inclusions

Participants will gain access to world-class governance education as well as mentoring and workshop program to build their network and professional skills as a director. 

Each scholarship runs for 12 months and includes: 

• One of the following offerings (see Guide for Applicants): 

  1. Enrolment onto the AICD’s Foundations of Directorship™ for Indigenous Organisations; OR  
     
  2. Enrolment onto the AICD’s Company Directors Course™  for Indigenous business Leaders; OR 
     
  3. 12-month placement on The Observership Program’s 2025 program. 
     

• Accommodation for those travelling from outside of the course delivery city, to attend their chosen AICD course face to face.  

• Reimbursement of travel costs of up to $500 (excl GST) for participants who live outside the course delivery city and are required to travel to attend the AICD course. 

• Participation in mentoring program led by the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI). 

• Facilitated peer learning through workshops and networking opportunities. 

• 12-month AICD membership.

AICD course delivery dates are to be confirmed. Estimated dates of delivery for each element of the program are as follows: 

• January/February 2025 – Foundations of Directorship™ (3 days face-to-face)* 
• January to December 2025 – AIGI Indigenous Governance workshop and mentoring sessions 
• May/June 2025 – Company Directors Course™ (5 days face-to-face)* 
• January to December 2025 – Observer placements managed by The Observership Program 

*AICD course dates will be confirmed before the end of November 2024.
 

We are looking for candidates who match these criteria: 

• Anyone who is thinking about contributing and/or leading within their community in the future. 

• A community led senior government officer, First Nations Leader or CEO.  

• Anyone who has potential and is interested in becoming a board director within First Nation or non-Indigenous community led organisations. 

• Applicants supported by a senior government officer, company director/CEO or First Nations leader as having potential/being a prospect to transition to a senior leadership position. 

• Applicants who are dedicated to succeeding at the Foundations of Directorship™ program or the Company Directors Course™, or Observership placements, including all preparation, commitments and deadlines associated with the program. 
   

To be eligible to apply 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 aspiration to becoming a director; 

• be supported by a senior government officer, company director/CEO or First Nations Leader as having potential/prospect to transition to a senior leadership position, and provide a completed Support Form; 

• 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; and 

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

How your application will be assessed:

• Initial checks will be carried out based on the eligibility criteria above, if your application does not confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria, your application will not be assessed.

• All applications will be assessed and evaluated by an independent panel of assessors.  

• Applicants who provide evidence of being on the board or committee of an ACCO will be looked at more favourably for this program. 

• Your application should clearly show: 

  • your suitability to the course/program that you have selected; 

  • your dedication to succeed in the scholarship program; 

  • that you are supported by a senior government officer, company director/CEO or First Nations Leader as having potential to transition to a senior leadership position, and include a completed Support Form; 

  • that you meet the eligibility criteria; and  

  • that you intend to use the learnings from the scholarship program within your community. 
     

Supporting documentation 

Applicants are required to upload a Support Form completed by their organisation. This should complement the application and outline: 

• The Applicant has potential and interest in becoming a board director within First Nation and non-Indigenous community led organisations.  

• The Applicant is dedicated to succeeding at the Foundations of Directorship™ program or the Company Directors Course™, or Observership placements, including all preparation, commitments and deadlines associated with the program.  

• The Applicant intends to use the learnings from the scholarship program within their community.  

• The expected benefit to the organisation and/or community if the Applicant is successful. 

• The organisation’s agreement to supporting the Applicant’s full participation in the program and to assist with funding their transport costs to attend the course delivery in person, if required. 

Should you require assistance with obtaining a completed Support Form, please contact scholarships@aicd.com.au

Scholarship timeline 

Applications open: Monday 1 July 2024 

Applications close: Sunday 25 August 2024 at 11:59pm AWST 

Applicants notified of outcome: By the end of November 2024 

Scholarship commences: January 2025 
 

Applicant Information sessions

Two virtual information sessions have been scheduled for applicants/organisations interested in hearing more about the program. 

1. Tuesday 16 July 2024 at 2pm AEST
2. Thursday 25 July 2024 at 4pm AEST

These sessions will be facilitated by AICD. Anyone is welcome to join us and learn more about the scholarship program, eligibility requirements, the application and selection process. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the program team. 
 

More information 

If you have any immediate questions, please review our FAQs or contact us at scholarships@aicd.com.au.