Applications for the ANZSOG 2024 First Nations Scholarship are now open.
The scholarship will provide either an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori public servant a fully funded place in one of ANZSOG’s 2024 foundation programs, which includes the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA).
This second ANZSOG First Nations scholarship was announced at the First Peoples to All Peoples conference in Meanjin Brisbane in March 2023, and is part of ANZSOG’s commitment to building capability in First Nations administration and lifting the number of potential First Nations leaders in all levels of the public sector.
ANZSOG believes that First Nations people in senior positions in the public service is an important step towards meeting the goals of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and working with communities to create more effective policies and programs.
The recipient of the scholarship will be able to choose either the Executive Fellows Program EFP; Executive Master Public Administration EMPA; Towards Strategic Leadership TSL; Deputies Leadership Program DLP and must meet the eligibility criteria.
Each program is designed for public servants at a different stage of their career, and all use ANZSOG’s unique networks of academics and practitioners to build capability, self-knowledge and understanding of what is required of leaders in the modern and often changing public sector environment.
ANZSOG is working to incorporate First Nations perspectives and knowledges into all its programs, and to create a culturally safe environment for all participants.
ANZSOG Dean and CEO Adam Fennessy PSM said the scholarship would give the recipient the skills and networks to become an effective future leader in the public sector.
“ANZSOG is committed to contributing towards culturally competent public services which value and include First Nations perspectives and value their cultures and knowledges,” Mr Fennessy said.
“As part of this, public service organisations must work to recruit and retain First Nations staff at all levels and foster First Nations leadership inside and outside public services.”
“This scholarship will help to build the capacity of First Nations leadership within the public sector and give the recipient a career-changing opportunity to become the best leader they can be.”
The inaugural scholarship was awarded in 2021 to Victorian public servant Brenda McDermott, a proud Palawa woman from the Manegin Community of Northwest Tasmania. Brenda began the two-year EMPA program in 2022 and shared her EMPA program experience in March at the 2023 ANZSOG First Peoples to All Peoples public administration conference in Meeanjin Brisbane.
Applicants for the scholarship must Identify as either Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Māori and be currently working in the public sector in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand and are expected to remain in the public service for the period of their scholarship.
They must provide evidence of emerging leadership potential, including potential to contribute at the senior executive level as part of a future generation of First Nations public sector leaders.
More information, including the eligibility criteria, FAQs, and the application form are available here.