Scholarship Program for leaders with disability

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), in partnership with the Australian Network on Disability, is encouraging leaders with disability to apply for a
new round of governance education scholarships, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

As part of the Disability Leadership Program, 200 full fee scholarships will be offered over the next two years.

In the first round of this initiative, 85 full-fee scholarships are being offered to undertake the Company Directors Course or the Foundations of Directorship course at the AICD.

Scholarship recipients will receive a one-year AICD membership. The program will also work with existing directors to build disability confidence through Leader-to-Leader Conversations, facilitated by the Australian Network on Disability.     

AICD Managing Director and CEO, Angus Armour, said, “I’m really pleased that the AICD is once again partnering with the Australian Network on Disability to deliver accessible and inclusive learning experiences for leaders with disability.

“The AICD understands the value and benefits of diversity around the board table. It is hoped that this initiative will better prepare people with disability for their boardroom careers by building on their governance knowledge and director networks.”

Australian Network on Disability CEO, Corene Strauss, said, “Australian Network on Disability believe that employers need to increase the representation of people with disability on boards so that they can better represent the community in which they serve.  

“We are thrilled to partner once again with the AICD. By providing leaders with disability more career development opportunities, and board directors more confidence and knowledge in accessibility, we can drive impact and systematic change, resulting in more people with disability on Australian boards.” 

In January this year, the AICD and the Australian Network on Disability first partnered to provide the Directing Change Scholarship Program which saw 22 leaders with disability undertake either the Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD. 

The Disability Leadership Program is expected to run until June 2024 and will target leaders with disability over 18, in particular, women, First Nations people and culturally and linguistically diverse people.

The application process is managed by the Australian Scholarships Foundation (ASF). Applications open today and close on 24 July 2022: https://scholarships.org.au/scholarship/dlpscholarship2022

The scholarships are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.

Media contacts

AICD: Maegen Sykes 0439 167 567

Australian Network on Disability: Megan Jones 0405 014 271

The Australian Institute of Company Directors is committed to strengthening society through world-class governance. We aim to be the independent and trusted voice of governance, building the capability of a community of leaders for the benefit of society. Our membership of more than 48,000 includes directors and senior leaders from business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.

Australian Network on Disability is the peak body for employers, government and industry bodies towards the equitable inclusion of people with disability.  Through education and guidance Australian Network on Disability helps organisations identify unintentional barriers and develop systematic changes, resulting in a more disability confident Australia.