SIR JAMES WOLFENSOHN PUBLIC SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
History
In 2012 the Harvard Club of Australia established the Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship to enable senior Australian public servants to undertake an executive education program at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), the world’s leading school of Government. The Scholarship is intended to support the design and delivery of good public policy in Australia.
Scholarship value
This year the Wolfensohn Scholarship will provide up to AUD10,000 per recipient to support attendance at a Harvard Kennedy School executive education program. This may also include return economy airfares to Boston. Tuition fees for executive education courses include board during the program, but do not cover other accommodation or travel expenses. In most cases, the funding offered will cover one half of the course fees of the recommended flagship program.
Nominees must specify the HKS program they propose to attend. Programs range from the flagship Executive Leaders and Government (two weeks in Mid October) to specialised courses in areas such as defence, development, financial management, and education. The full program calendar is available at: Executive Education | Harvard Kennedy School
Eligibility
The Wolfensohn Scholarship is open to employees of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. HCA will award the Wolfensohn Scholarship to Deputy Secretaries – specifically, individuals who are expected to play a significant role in the design and implementation of public policy in Australia.
Recipients will have 12 calendar months to complete their studies, from the date of award of the Wolfensohn Scholarship.
By funding executive education at the world’s leading school of public policy, the Wolfensohn Scholarship is intended to support the design and delivery of good public policy in Australia.
It will also reward outstanding individuals for their achievements in Government and, we hope, motivate them to re-commit to public service.
It is expected that at least two Wolfensohn Scholarships will be awarded in 2026 with the support of agency co-funding.
Funding Source
The HCA and other individual donors provide funds for these scholarship.
The HCA seeks co-funding from each winner's department to allow the award of more scholarships and to support longer duration programs. In this regard, Department or Agency heads should indicate in their nomination whether your department agency would provide co-funding support.
The selection committee will have regard to whether there is co-funding support for candidates, as part of its overall assessment and in determining the total number of awards that will be made.
Selection Process
The Wolfensohn Scholars will be selected as follows:
- Nomination – Department or Agency heads are invited to nominate one individual from their Department or Agency and one individual from outside their Department or Agency. Please only nominate individuals who meet the eligibility criteria –specifically, individuals who are expected to play a significant role in the design and implementation of public policy in Australia, possibly as a Department or Agency head in the near term. Nomination is very straightforward and can only be made by Department or Agency heads using the nomination form. The nomination form should be completed and returned as indicated on the form.
- Application – The nominee is required to fill out an application which will be appended to the nomination. This nomination addresses their public servicebackground, their reason for wishing to attend Harvard, and their aspirations for future service.
Timetable
Applicants who have been nominated before 29 May 2026 will be considered. Applications must then be submitted by 12 June 2026.
Based on applications received, a shortlist will be prepared for interview. It is expected that interviews will be conducted early July.
More Information
If you have any questions about the scholarship including about the nomination or application process, please contact the chair of the Wolfensohn Scholarship – Mat Franklin via email or on 0400 868 766.
Wolfensohn 2025 Media Release = CLICK HERE
Wolfensohn 2026 Online Nomination Form - CLICK HERE
Wolfensohn 2026 Nomination Form (hard copy) - CLICK HERE
Wolfensohn 2026 Application Form - CLICK HERE
Wolfensohn Scholarship Past Winners - 2012-2024
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