Scholarships
The Peter Cullen Trust offers scholarships to invest in outstanding leaders whose participation will strengthen Australia’s water and environment sector and broaden the diversity of perspectives in each program cohort. Scholarships are highly contested with limited numbers available on each program.
Eligibility
Scholarships are generally intended for applicants whose organisations have limited capacity to fund professional development, including those working in not-for-profit and community organisations, Traditional Owner and First Nations organisations. Applicants employed by government agencies will generally be expected to seek support from their employer.
The Trust encourages applicants to first seek funding through the support of their organisation. Where that is not possible candidates may apply for a scholarship, the awarding of which will be based on the following criteria:
Selection Criteria
Scholarship applicants will be assessed against:
- Leadership potential – demonstrated through the Program selection criteria.
- Commitment to service – evidence of leadership in water, the environment and community.
- Future impact – how participation will amplify the applicant’s contribution to the sector.
- Contribution to cohort diversity – bringing perspectives that strengthen the learning experience and representation across the sector.
- Access – financial and other barriers that would otherwise limit participation.
- Commitment to engagement – willingness to actively contribute to the PCT Fellows Network following the Program.
Scholarship conditions
- Successful applicants are required to commit to full attendance and participation in the program.
- Selected candidates may be expected to participate in communication activities connected with their scholarship.
- Scholarships are not transferable and cannot be deferred without written consent of PCT. (See Terms and Conditions)
How to apply for a scholarship
To apply, complete the PCT Leadership Program application form. Follow the prompt under the Program Fees question to additional specific questions about scholarships.
Our 2027 Scholarship Donors
The Peter Cullen Trust has two scholarships available for the 2027 March-May Program:
- Vicky Cullen Scholarship – open to a person who identifies as Indigenous Australian
- Professor John Langford Scholarship – open to all
Previous Scholarship Donors
The Peter Cullen Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of these generous donors for their support in 2026:
- Vicky Cullen Scholarship – open to a person who identifies as Indigenous Australian
- Professor John Langford Scholarship – open to all
- Raoul and Helen Middelmann – open to women
- Yarra Valley Water – open to people who identify as Indigenous Australian with the Yarra Valley Water catchment