We are pleased to announce an extra opportunity for school leaders to apply for the prestigious Principals Scholarship to Harvard thanks to recently secured additional funding through PEF.
The Principals Scholarships give principals from Government primary and secondary schools the opportunity to undertake a short professional education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the USA. Sponsored by the Harvard Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and the Public Education Foundation (PEF), the scholarships provide the recipients with the opportunity to "reflect, refocus and recharge" through a professional education program tailor-made for school principals.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors for supporting these scholarships:
- Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship
- Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship
- Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship
Course Offering
This scholarship gives the recipients the opportunity to attend the following short program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education:
The program is designed to give school leaders a chance to step away from day-to-day challenges, deeply explore their values as educators, and build a concrete plan that centres those values for the benefit of their school communities.
Due to the current visa processing situation in the USA, we are yet to confirm the exact program dates for 2026. We will update applicants as soon as further information becomes available.
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- Be a current Principal in an Australian Government primary or secondary school
- Currently be school-based
- Commit to continuing as a Principal in the Government school system for at least five more years
- Be willing to share your learnings widely through formal and informal channels, including conferences, social media and professional networks
- Be willing to act as an ambassador for the Public Education Foundation and Teachers Mutual Bank upon your return, including through media, conferences and social media engagement
This program offers four scholarships:
- Mid-career Principal Scholarships (3 available) - Applicants must have served as a substantive Principal for between 3 and 15 years in a Government primary or secondary school in Australia
- NEW Principal Leadership Scholarship (1 available) - Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ experience as a substantive Principal
Please Note
- Eligibility criteria strictly applies and Principals who have served for less than three years or more than 15 will not be considered
- Scholarship recipients are responsible for obtaining the consent of their employer prior to accepting this award and travel
- Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply provided they still meet the eligibility criteria
- Scholarship recipients are not required to take up their scholarship in the first year.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure you read PEF's Teachers, Principals and Executives Terms and Conditions.
Scholarship Inclusions
Each scholarship is valued at approximately $15,000 and includes:
- All tuition fees for a short residential program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Travel insurance
- Return airfares (ex-your nearest capital city)
- Accommodation for the duration of the course
Each successful participant is responsible for covering their own living expenses and airport transfers.
Recipients will be responsible for booking their own airfare and travel insurance. They will then be reimbursed the equivalent of return airfare to Boston and travel insurance for the course period to an agreed amount.
Selection Criteria
- Evidence of significant ability as a school leader, commitment to the values of public education and capacity for leadership into the future
- Evidence of a candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education
- Evidence of understanding of ways in which learnings from the course can be shared with colleagues via social media and professional networks
- Other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s suitability for the scholarship
Selection Process
A selection panel will review all scholarship applications according to the criteria set out in the application form. The selection panel will include a representative of the Public Education Foundation, the Harvard Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and a serving public school Principal. After considering all applications, the selection panel will make recommendations to the Board of the Public Education Foundation for approval.
The selection panel may invite a number of applicants for interview before making its final decision.
How to apply
Principals should apply online via PEF-Apply.
The process will require you to:
- Complete a short application
- Contact details
- Years as a Government school Principal
- Information about your school
- Total enrolment
- Student attendance rate
- Per cent of Indigenous students
- Per cent of EAL/D students
- Per cent of students with special needs
- Outline of additional school funding
- Complete a series of short-answer questions (maximum 250 words)
- About your school
- Challenges you have faced as a school leader
- Describe an achievement at your school you are proud of
- A personal statement about yourself, your commitment to public education and how this scholarship will contribute to the plans and goals for yourself and your school
- How you would share your learning with your colleagues and community
- Upload a reference from the education sector - e.g., your supervisor or area director (maximum 400 words)
- Upload a reference from a community referee - e.g., your local Member of Parliament, local PCYC Director or Rotary Club President (maximum 400 words)
- Upload a copy of your CV, complete with your educational qualifications, your employment and teaching history and information about any extra-curricular activities you have undertaken as part of your schooling duties or your community roles (maximum two pages)
The scholarship is focused on the impact of public education in the community (students, parents, teachers, other principals, broader community etc.). Please write your application with this broad audience in mind and avoid acronyms.
Submitting your Application
Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM AEDT, Sunday 25 January 2026.
For Further Information
Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.
Principals Scholarships
We are pleased to announce an extra opportunity for school leaders to apply for the prestigious Principals Scholarship to Harvard thanks to recently secured additional funding through PEF.
The Principals Scholarships give principals from Government primary and secondary schools the opportunity to undertake a short professional education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the USA. Sponsored by the Harvard Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and the Public Education Foundation (PEF), the scholarships provide the recipients with the opportunity to "reflect, refocus and recharge" through a professional education program tailor-made for school principals.
We are grateful to our generous sponsors for supporting these scholarships:
- Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship
- Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship
- Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship
Course Offering
This scholarship gives the recipients the opportunity to attend the following short program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education:
The program is designed to give school leaders a chance to step away from day-to-day challenges, deeply explore their values as educators, and build a concrete plan that centres those values for the benefit of their school communities.
Due to the current visa processing situation in the USA, we are yet to confirm the exact program dates for 2026. We will update applicants as soon as further information becomes available.
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- Be a current Principal in an Australian Government primary or secondary school
- Currently be school-based
- Commit to continuing as a Principal in the Government school system for at least five more years
- Be willing to share your learnings widely through formal and informal channels, including conferences, social media and professional networks
- Be willing to act as an ambassador for the Public Education Foundation and Teachers Mutual Bank upon your return, including through media, conferences and social media engagement
This program offers four scholarships:
- Mid-career Principal Scholarships (3 available) - Applicants must have served as a substantive Principal for between 3 and 15 years in a Government primary or secondary school in Australia
- NEW Principal Leadership Scholarship (1 available) - Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ experience as a substantive Principal
Please Note
- Eligibility criteria strictly applies and Principals who have served for less than three years or more than 15 will not be considered
- Scholarship recipients are responsible for obtaining the consent of their employer prior to accepting this award and travel
- Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply provided they still meet the eligibility criteria
- Scholarship recipients are not required to take up their scholarship in the first year.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure you read PEF's Teachers, Principals and Executives Terms and Conditions.
Scholarship Inclusions
Each scholarship is valued at approximately $15,000 and includes:
- All tuition fees for a short residential program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Travel insurance
- Return airfares (ex-your nearest capital city)
- Accommodation for the duration of the course
Each successful participant is responsible for covering their own living expenses and airport transfers.
Recipients will be responsible for booking their own airfare and travel insurance. They will then be reimbursed the equivalent of return airfare to Boston and travel insurance for the course period to an agreed amount.
Selection Criteria
- Evidence of significant ability as a school leader, commitment to the values of public education and capacity for leadership into the future
- Evidence of a candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education
- Evidence of understanding of ways in which learnings from the course can be shared with colleagues via social media and professional networks
- Other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s suitability for the scholarship
Selection Process
A selection panel will review all scholarship applications according to the criteria set out in the application form. The selection panel will include a representative of the Public Education Foundation, the Harvard Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and a serving public school Principal. After considering all applications, the selection panel will make recommendations to the Board of the Public Education Foundation for approval.
The selection panel may invite a number of applicants for interview before making its final decision.
How to apply
Principals should apply online via PEF-Apply.
The process will require you to:
- Complete a short application
- Contact details
- Years as a Government school Principal
- Information about your school
- Total enrolment
- Student attendance rate
- Per cent of Indigenous students
- Per cent of EAL/D students
- Per cent of students with special needs
- Outline of additional school funding
- Complete a series of short-answer questions (maximum 250 words)
- About your school
- Challenges you have faced as a school leader
- Describe an achievement at your school you are proud of
- A personal statement about yourself, your commitment to public education and how this scholarship will contribute to the plans and goals for yourself and your school
- How you would share your learning with your colleagues and community
- Upload a reference from the education sector - e.g., your supervisor or area director (maximum 400 words)
- Upload a reference from a community referee - e.g., your local Member of Parliament, local PCYC Director or Rotary Club President (maximum 400 words)
- Upload a copy of your CV, complete with your educational qualifications, your employment and teaching history and information about any extra-curricular activities you have undertaken as part of your schooling duties or your community roles (maximum two pages)
The scholarship is focused on the impact of public education in the community (students, parents, teachers, other principals, broader community etc.). Please write your application with this broad audience in mind and avoid acronyms.
Submitting your Application
Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM AEDT, Sunday 25 January 2026.
For Further Information
Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.