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A new collaboration between the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) and Chief Executive Women (CEW), NCOSS’s Harrison-Church Women’s Leadership Scholarship will provide places in CEW’s Leaders Program for 15 women in sector leadership roles over three years, with five participants each year. The first intake will be in June/July 2026.
NCOSS’s Harrison-Church Women’s Leadership Scholarship is being funded through a very generous philanthropic donation to NCOSS, made possible by a legacy from Chris Harrison-Church. The donor has a long-standing association with NCOSS and is a keen supporter of our work.
The aim of the scholarship program is to provide high quality leadership development opportunities to women leaders in the NSW social service sector. The program will elevate leadership capability, build retention, and create an executive ready pipeline. Chronically underfunded and facing an ever-increasing demand for services, the organisations our sector leaders work for generally can’t afford to make the investments in the skills of their people they’d like to.
The scholarship also aims to help sector leaders build networks, especially outside the sector. Working in the NSW social service sector can be quite isolating, as leaders prioritise delivering services over their own growth and development. Attending the CEW Leaders Program will provide expanded opportunities to meet other leaders, develop peer support relationships, and potentially open doors for cross-sector collaboration and service innovation.
This scholarship will provide places for 15 participants over three years – five participants a year – in the evidence-based CEW Leaders Program. This is a six-day experience, run over two blocks of three consecutive days in Sydney.
Scholarship recipients for the first round will attend the Sydney June 2026 Intake.
We strongly encourage applications from women leaders based in rural, regional and remote NSW and First Nations leaders (especially those who work for NCOSS member organisations that are ACCOs or ACCHOs).
About the scholarship
How to apply
Applications for the first scholarship round close at 11:59PM on Sunday, 1 February 2026.
To apply, you will need to complete this online application form below and submit it by the closing date. Once you apply, you will receive an email confirming your application has been received.
Selection process
Applications will be assessed by a panel of three to five sector leaders from organisations whose employees aren’t eligible to apply, or other qualified people.
Shortlisted applicants may be asked to participate in a short interview to further discuss their application and how participating in the program will benefit them and their organisations.
Applications will be handled in accordance with NCOSS’s Privacy Policy.
Important information about your application and the application process
Before you apply, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, are prepared to meet your obligations, and have read and understood the terms and conditions of application.