Scholarships

Supporting a new wave of leadership

To unleash the power of diverse leadership, we need to remove barriers to it. That includes financial barriers, which is why we’re pleased to offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to our National Leadership Program.

Our scholarships are made possible by our generous donors and partners. Please take a look at the scholarships below and if you have any questions about them or other barriers you face, please email us so we can make time to talk.

Scholarships available

WELA General Scholarship

Through our fundraising work, we’re able to offer several full or partial scholarships to women environmentalists who are unable to cover the full costs of participating in our National Leadership Program.

Who's it for

These scholarships are available to support those who need them, regardless of whether you have the capacity to assist with fundraising towards them. However, they are limited so if you are considering applying, we encourage you to consider where you are open to working with us on fundraising to cover your participation costs, including through grants, crowdfunding or other avenues. Fundraising is part of our program’s skills development and we’re here to help you with it.

How to apply

You can apply for a full or partial scholarship when applying for the WELA National Leadership Program.

Dr Deb Foskey Fund

The fund was established by Samara and Eleni McIlroy in honour of their mother, Dr Deb Foskey. A passionate environmentalist, advocate for East Gippsland, and the Greens member for Molonglo from 2004 to 2008, Deb is remembered for her flair, poise and mentorship of other women. Read more of Dr Deb Foskey’s inspiring story here.

Who's it for

The fund welcomes applications from women in remote, rural, and regional communities working (paid or unpaid) for our environment and climate action who want to undertake the WELA NationalĀ  Leadership Program. These women often face obstacles and hardships not experienced to the same extent by women in less isolated circumstances.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women of colour, gender diverse people and trans women, culturally and linguistically diverse and working class women and others facing barriers and marginalisation are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

You can apply for a full or partial scholarship when applying for the WELA National Leadership Program.

Requirements

Applications are invited from women in remote, rural or regional Australia, working (paid or unpaid) for our environment or climate action.

Successful recipients will be asked to provide a short bio and photo and record a short video about their engagement with WELA for promotional purposes. Recipients will also be asked to provide comments for a media release to selected media.

WELA Alumni-Funded First Nations Scholarship

Alumni from our programs are invited to help fund this important scholarship. It is available for a First Nations woman or gender diverse person to participate in our transformative leadership program each year.

WELA and our alumni recognise the essential contribution of Indigenous women’s leadership in creating a sustainable and thriving future. Connection to Country, and centering indigenous justice and reconciliation with people and Country, are essential to our shared vision for the future. We are committed to supporting and learning from Indigenous women’s leadership.

Who's it for

We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and gender diverse people who are actively working (paid or unpaid) for our environment through your community, on Country, through an environmental organisation or a grassroots community group, or any other relevant organisation.

How to apply

You can apply for a full or partial scholarship when applying for the WELA National Leadership Program.

Requirements

Successful recipients will be asked to provide a short bio and photo and record a short video about their engagement with WELA for promotional purposes. Recipients will also be asked to provide comments for a media release to selected media.

Merri-bek Council Community Scholarship

Merri-bek City Council established this scholarship to support women from its community in Melbourne’s inner north to participate in the WELA National Leadership Program. The scholarship covers the full program cost ($6,100 including GST and travel costs) for one person.

Merri-bek Council’s goal is to work with the community to achieve a zero carbon Merri-bek by 2040. The key components of its vision are:

  1. Efficient and 100% renewably powered energy
  2. Active and zero emissions transport
  3. Circular economy with zero waste

This scholarship will support the further development of leadership from within Merri-bek’s community, enabling a better future for our planet, our city, our community and our children.Ā 

Who's it for

Applications are welcome from women and gender diverse people living in the Merri-bek local government area who are actively working for (paid or unpaid) and committed to our environment. Applications from women and gender diverse people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities, or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, within Merri-bek are particularly encouraged.Ā 

How to apply

You can apply for a full or partial scholarship when applying for the WELA National Leadership Program.

Requirements

Applications are invited from women or gender diverse people residing in the Merri-bek Council area (VIC), working (paid or unpaid) for our environment or climate action.

Successful recipients will be asked to provide a short bio and photo and record a short video about their engagement with WELA for promotional purposes. Recipients will also be asked to provide comments for a media release to selected media.

Rendere Environment Trust scholarship

Rendere Environment Trust is pleased to establish this scholarship to support women and gender diverse people working (paid or unpaid) across Australia for biodiversity conservation.Ā 

The Rendere Environment Trust is a specialist philanthropic organisation that dedicates 100% of its resources to the environment – Rendere meaning ā€˜to give’ in Italian.

In addition to your participation in the program, the scholarship recipient will be introduced to the Rendere Environment Trust networks. The Rendere Environment Trust hopes to foster an ongoing supportive relationship with scholarship recipients to supercharge their leadership.Ā 

The scholarship covers the full program cost ($6,100 including GST and travel costs) for one person.

Who's it for

Applications are welcome from women and gender diverse people across Australia actively working for (paid or unpaid) biodiversity conservation.Ā 

How to apply

You can apply for a full or partial scholarship when applying for the WELA National Leadership Program.

Requirements

Applications are invited from women or gender diverse people residing in Australia, working (paid or unpaid) for biodiversity conservation.

Successful recipients will be asked to provide a short bio and photo and record a short video about their engagement with WELA and the Rendere Environment Trust for promotional purposes. Recipients will also be asked to provide comments for a media release to selected media.

Give a gift

Would you like to help fund our scholarships?