Westpac Bicentennial Foundation - Future Leaders Scholarships 2025

The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is all about supporting everyday people with big ideas looking to pursue postgraduate research or coursework in areas related to sustainability, technology and innovation, social change or Australia’s relationship with Asia. Our aim is to empower these individuals to become leaders in their field, helping them to drive positive change and create a brighter tomorrow for Australia.

Who can apply?

We’re looking for Australia’s best and brightest. To be eligible to apply you must: 

1. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (New Zealand citizens are not eligible).
2. Have completed your first undergraduate degree after 1 September, or will complete your degree by 31 December 2024.
3. Have achieved or are on track to achieve an average result of H1 or H2A equivalent or approx 75 WAM.
4. Have chosen to undertake a full-time Masters by coursework or research or a PhD at one of our participating university partners.
5. Have a field of study which, for PhD and Masters by research applicants has an ERA four digit FOR rating of "well above world standard" and Masters by coursework applicants, your proposed area of study must be in area of world-class standing.
6. Must commence study in 2025. Current postgraduate students are not eligible.
7. Your proposed program of study must contribute to the future of Australia in one of the Trust’s priority funding areas: Australia in Asia, Thriving Tech Sector, an Inclusive Australia and Sustainable Futures.
8. Include in your proposed program of study international opportunities which will develop your leadership skills and global networks, such as; study tours for the purpose of research, attending a short course or conference, a period of internship or volunteering.
9. Have a worthy and viable post-study plan that benefits Australia.
10. Supply two letters of reference, one academic reference and one personal reference. Refer to the templates on our website for further information.
11. Be able to attend the National Assessment Centre in Sydney on 3-4 December 2024.
12. Be able to attend the Future Leaders Scholars Leadership Development Program in Sydney in mid-February and another date, to be confirmed, in August.
13. Be able to attend the Westpac Scholars Summit in April 2025.

What is the value of each scholarship?

The Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship will provide funding of up to $120,000 to support study, research, global experience and access to the Leadership Development Program. The value of your proposed program of study or research may be less than $120,000, and will depend on the type of course or research program. 

Who will the remit funds to the Scholars?

The scholarship funding, with the exception of the Leadership Development Program component ($12,000), will be distributed by the universities to scholars. 

What is the duration of the scholarship?

While typically the duration of the scholarship will be 2-3 years, it will depend on the proposed program of study. It could range from 1.5 years to 4 years, including an international experience of up to 6 months. Masters by Coursework programs typically range from 1.5 years to 2 years; Masters by Research typically range from 2 years to 3 years; PhD programs typically range from 3 years to 4 years. 4 years is the maximum funding period for PhD applicants.