The Stanford Australia Foundation (SAF), with the support of Dyson Bequest, is pleased to again support not-for-profit leaders with two scholarship opportunities to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in the United States. The two scholarships are the:
- Stanford Australia Foundation Not-For-Profit Leadership Scholarship (2 places available)
- Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability (1 place available)
Stanford University is one of the world’s leading universities and the GSB is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top business schools. Located in Palo Alto, California, the GSB prepares leaders to “change lives, change organisations, change the world”. The Stanford Australia Foundation (SAF) is a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to enable more Australians to share the exciting experience of a GSB Executive Education program for the benefit of the Australian community. This year, with the support of Dyson Bequest, Stanford Australia Foundation is offering two scholarships for study in the 2024 calendar year.
To be eligible for SAF not-for-profit scholarships recipients must be employed by an Australian non-profit organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient Status 1 (DGR1) and plan to remain with the organisation, and be an Australian citizen or have permanent or temporary residency in Australia.
Please note that candidates are required to be in organisational leadership roles. Those who are solely in non-executive director or board roles are not eligible.
Scholarship recipients are able to attend the Executive Education course of their choice held at the Graduate School of Business located at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA, between January 1st and December 31st, 2024. A full list of Executive Education programs can be found here, although applicants are encouraged to consider the six-day Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders (EPNL).
In preparing an application, candidates should review course outlines and consider how the Executive Education program will contribute to fulfilling personal and professional objectives.
The EPNL Experience
“The 2023 EPNL cohort was made up of 62 incredible non-profit leaders from 11 countries. My colleagues ranged in age from 29 up and came with years of experience and knowledge – many were Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and Executive Directors of their organisations.”
Emma Henningsen, Australia Network on Disability
You can read more about the Stanford scholar experience here.
Stanford Australia Foundation Not-For-Profit Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship covers the costs for each NFP leader to attend an Executive Education program at the Stanford GSB. SAF awards each scholarship winner with up to AUD$20,000 to cover course fees, economy travel to/from Palo Alto, California, and incidental study tour expenses subject to SAF approval. Costs beyond this amount must be covered by the recipients and/or their supporting NFP organisation. The scholarship also includes six months of mentoring from a Stanford alumnus living in Australia and a one-year complimentary membership in the Stanford Australia Association (SAA).
In 2023 there are two Not-For-Profit Leadership Scholarships available.
Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability
The Stanford Australia Foundation (SAF) Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability aims to support leaders with the opportunity to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in the United States.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants have a disability, as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, must be employed by an Australian non-profit organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient Status 1 (DGR1) and plan to remain with the organisation, and be an Australian citizen or have permanent or temporary residency in Australia.
The 2023 Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability covers the costs for an NFP leader to attend an Executive Education program at the Stanford GSB. SAF awards each scholarship winner with up to AUD$20,000 to cover course fees, economy travel to/from Palo Alto, California, and incidental study tour expenses subject to SAF approval. Costs beyond this amount must be covered by the recipient and/or their supporting NFP organisation. The scholarship also includes six months of mentoring from a Stanford alumnus living in Australia and a one-year complimentary membership in the Stanford Australia Association (SAA).
2023 scholar insight
“I am particularly excited for where what I learned about development and implementation of strategy for social change will lead me and my organisation. Transforming great ideas into impact can improve lives all around our great country and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
Debbie Heron, Ability First Australia
You can read more about the Stanford scholar experience here.
Guidelines for eligibility for Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarships
- Candidate is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or temporary resident of Australia.
- Candidate is currently employed in a leadership position at an Australian NFP organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient 1 status (DGR1). Please note that non-executive directors who do not hold a line leadership role are not eligible for SAF scholarships.
- Scholarship will be applied to a course held at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA between January 1st and December 31st of the scholarship year (2024).
- Candidate understands that they are solely responsible for gaining entry through any required application process for their selected course. Scholarship awards are conditional on program entry.
- Scholarship winners will provide 2 short written reports (one within 1 month of completing their course and one after 12 months of completing their course) describing the impacts of winning the scholarship.
- For the Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability only: candidate has a disability, as defined under the Australian Disability Discrimination Act or United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria
- Candidate’s potential for leadership
- Benefits to the candidate’s professional development
- Potential positive impact to the candidate’s organisation
- Potential impact for the wider Australian community
Scholarship Timeline
| Date | Timeline |
| Friday 11 August 2023 | Applications Open |
| Saturday 7 October 2023 | Applications Close at 5 pm AEST |
| Friday 27 October 2023 | Shortlisted candidates are notified and invited to interview |
| Wednesday 8 November-Thursday 9 November 2023 | Shortlisted candidates are interviewed |
| Friday 10 November 2023 | Notification of outcome to all applicants |
Assessment process
The Stanford Australia Foundation will be managing the assessment, interview and selection process for this scholarship. When the time comes, you will be notified by SAF about the outcome of your scholarship application.
To Apply for this scholarship, please fill out the ONLINE APPLICATION.
For more information, or if you have problems with your application, please contact The Stanford Australia Foundation directly at [email protected]
