Apply Now: Leah Armstrong Scholarship Program 2025 (Australia)

First Nations women play an important role in their families and communities as leaders, nurturers and knowledge holders. But First Nations women are also less represented in the labour force and are even more underrepresented in professions such as finance and economics. These skills, along with governance, underpin the success of First Nations enterprises and community-controlled organisations. By creating more opportunities for First Nations women to study and work in these areas, they aim to drive greater outcomes across the entire community.

Funding Information

• Each scholarship provides up to $20,000 in funding support each year for up to three years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants for the Scholarship should:
  • Be an Australian domestic student;
  • Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander;
  • Identify as a woman;
  • Be enrolled to study full time at an Australian University or tertiary education institution;
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate degree, or other tertiary-level course in the areas of finance, economics or community governance; and
  • Commence or continue their degree / course in the semester or trimester in which the scholarship is awarded.

Selection Criteria

• The Scholarship is awarded to the applicant(s) who, in the opinion of the Scholarship Selection Committee, best demonstrate through their application and supporting documentation:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leadership and/or willingness to contribute to First Nations communities;
  • Passion and/or interest for area of study;
  • Demonstrated life experience that contributes to the motivation to study; and
  • Clearly communicates a vision of where study may lead them after graduation.

Application Requirements

• The application process consists of completing an online form.
• Applicants will be asked to provide their details, including confirmation of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity. They will also be asked to provide evidence of application or enrolment at an Australian University or other tertiary institution, as well as their academic transcript from their most recent year of formal studies, on official organizational letterhead.
• Applicants must provide a statement (either in writing or via video submission) supporting their application and indicating how they believe receiving the Scholarship will assist them with their studies and future careers. This statement should give a sufficient explanation of the applicant’s background, current circumstances and estimated educational expenses and other living costs to enable the applicant to pursue their education (see section 11 for more detail) to enable judgement of their eligibility, need and merit. Supporting documents can also be uploaded. The statement and supporting materials should be no longer than four pages (or seven minutes long for video submissions).
• Successful applicants will be selected based on their application, academic potential, ability to meet the criteria, and where appropriate, performance in an interview before the Scholarship Selection Committee.

For more information, visit FNE.