Lowitja O’Donoghue Excellence in Leadership – Public Sector Scholarship

Type: First Nations / Leadership

State: National

Provider: Lowitja Institute

Opportunity Opens: 7 August 2026

Opportunity Closes: 31 August 2026

Grant Summary:
The Lowitja O’Donoghue Excellence in Leadership – Public Sector Scholarship provides up to $50,000 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public sector professionals to strengthen their leadership capacity, cultural authority and influence.

Offered for the first time in 2026, the scholarship honours the legacy of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue and aims to develop the next generation of First Nations leaders who can influence reform and create positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Rather than being a traditional academic scholarship, successful recipients will work with the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation to co-design a personalised 12-month leadership development pathway. This may include mentoring, executive leadership and governance training, conferences, professional exchanges and other leadership development opportunities.

Up to three scholarships are available nationally, with applications particularly welcomed from people living and working in rural and remote communities.

The scholarship is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander professionals with substantial public sector experience who are currently employed or recently between roles. Applicants can work across areas including Health, Aboriginal Affairs, Education and Human Services within Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government, statutory authorities or government-funded agencies.

Relevant roles can include leadership, policy, programs, governance, community engagement, service delivery, regulation and cultural advisory positions.

Grant Link: Click here for more information.