Scholarships
Hundreds of not-for-profit leaders now have the chance to win a part-scholarship to complete the acclaimed ICDA Diploma of Governance.
While we have offered scholarships in the past for Australia's premier diploma-level governance qualification, currently we are able to offer more opportunities to more individuals across more sectors, providing a leg-up to the most under-represented groups in the country.
$1000 scholarships allow prospective students to apply immediately for any of the following rounds, with decisions made on eligibility within 10 business days of submission.
While applications are rolling – and will remain open throughout the year – places in diploma courses are strictly limited, and scholarships are subject to terms and conditions.
The full cost of the Diploma is $4,500, comprising enrolment, assessment and administration. Scholarship recipients will need to arrange payment of the remaining fee of $3,500.
Note: Scholarships cannot be combined with any special discounts. Only one scholarship can be granted per applicant.
Apply today for the following scholarship rounds
Please feel free to apply for all of the rounds you identify with, where you meet the specific eligibility criteria outlined.
Note: Only one scholarship can be granted per applicant.
Change Makers
The community sector is full of fearless advocates and advocacy groups, but if we’re serious about getting the message across, then our advocacy groups need the knowledge in the board room that will help them flourish. The Change Makers round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for those who work or volunteer with an organisation advocating for a change in our communities that will help shape a better future.
Cultural Diversity
It is essential that community boards reflect the communities they seek to serve. The Cultural Diversity round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for anyone from a culturally and/or linguistically diverse background who wants a leg-up to represent and serve their community.
Disability
Improving access to the boardroom for those living with a disability is about more than providing accessible meeting spaces, information and support. The Disability round of the ICDA diversity scholarships has been created to equip those living with a disability with the knowledge and accreditation required to join a community board. Those working in the disability sector, with a mission to improve our communities for those living with disabilities, are also eligible for this scholarship.
Faith-based
Throughout Australia, there are many faith-based organisations seeking to improve our society. Whether its offering homeless people a safe place to sleep, food to the hungry, or education to those in need of a helping hand, faith-based organisations provide a vital role in our communities. The Faith-based round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for those working or volunteering at organisations that work to advance or promote religious or spiritual beliefs and practices, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism, and their sub-types, as well as other sacred and spiritual belief systems.
First Nations Affairs
First Nations Australians continue to be underrepresented on boards throughout Australia. Our country is worse off when we don't engage those who know it best. The First Nations Affairs round of the ICDA diversity scholarships supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking to gain skills, knowledge and a qualification in governance to join a board, or move into a position of leadership. This round also supports those who works or volunteers with First Nations organisations.
Health and Mental Health
For communities to function at their best, they need to be healthy. Community health organisations play an integral role in ensuring that all in our communities can access health care. The Health and Mental Health round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for those who work or volunteer for, or alongside, community health organisations and aims to provide the community health sector with the skills, knowledge and connections required to keep our communities healthy.
LGBTQIA+
Our sector is better equipped to improve society if the leadership positions in our organisations are held by a cross-section of those who live within our communities. The LGBTQIA+ round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is aimed at providing leadership opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people.
Leaders
Organisations thrive under the influence of dynamic leaders, whose passion for change paves the way for a more compassionate, fair, and sustainable community. The Leaders round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for those emerging leaders who aspire to contribute to change, drive innovation on boards and improve governance within their respective sectors.
Women
While the community sector fares much better than the corporate sector when it comes to gender diversity on boards, there is still a long way to go before we reach parity. We need more women on boards, and more women in leadership positions. The Women round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for those who identify as women. This round was created to equip women with the skills and knowledge required to get on a board, and move up to a leadership position.
Neurodiversity
There is great power in embracing diverse leadership that reflects the richness of our community. Organisations need to ensure they are representative of all voices to innovate the decision-making process and improve governance on the board. ICDA’s Neurodiversity round aims to empower neurodivergent people with the knowledge, skills and qualifications in governance necessary to contribute to community organisations.
Rural and regional
The Rural and regional round has been created to provide access to important knowledge, qualifications and connections for those who live outside metropolitan areas. Those who live or work in rural and regional areas are eligible for this round of the ICDA diversity scholarships.
Sports, Arts and Culture
Sports, Arts and Culture play fundamental roles in connecting and representing communities. Board members need to ensure these vibrant sectors grow strong and remain strong. This scholarship offers a unique chance for those working or volunteering in the Sports, arts, or Culture sector to contribute to the sustainable development and improved governance of their sectors through enhanced leadership and strategic expertise.
Under 30s
Many organisations try to shape the decisions young people make on a daily basis, but many of these organisations fail to interact with the very demographic they are trying to influence. Young people on boards can offer new perspectives and insights into how to communicate with young audiences. As a sector, we need to embrace young people, and let them help us to help them. The Under30s round of the ICDA diversity scholarships is for anyone aged 30 and below seeking to gain skills, knowledge and a qualification in governance to join a board, or move into a position of leadership.
Terms and conditions
The following section details the terms and conditions of diversity scholarships offered towards the Institute of Community Directors' Diploma of Governance.
All applications will be assessed within 10 business days of the date of submission. The number of places is limited and rolling in nature, so please get your application in sooner rather than later.
The full cost of the Diploma of Governance is $4,500, comprising enrolment, assessment and administration. Partial scholarship recipients are liable for the remainder ($3,500).
This fee is payable in full 10 working days before the first day of the course.
If enrolment and fee payment has not been finalised by this time, ICDA reserves the right to re-allocate the scholarship to another applicant.
Applications must be made via the online application system. No mailed, faxed or emailed applications will be accepted. Please read the full details on the applicant site for opening and closing times and dates. Late applications will not be considered under any circumstances, so don't delay.
Please note that previous scholarship recipients are ineligible to apply.
Scholarship recipients need to have read the course snapshot and understand that they will be required to:
- Have time to watch videos, read course materials and reflect on fundamental governance principles
- Have the ability to attend and actively participate in all online tutorials and webinars
- Commit to completing all competency based assessment within twelve months of the first day of the course (you must complete one unit of assessment per month)
- Commit to transferring the knowledge gained to an organisation once the course is completed.