Women’s Developmental Leadership Program 2026–2027: Applications Open for Pacific Women

The Women’s Developmental Leadership Program 2026–2027 is now accepting applications from eligible Pacific women who are Australia Awards scholars studying at Australian universities and tertiary institutions.

Key Information at a Glance

Program: Women’s Developmental Leadership Program
Target group: Pacific women Australia Awards scholars
Number selected: Up to 30 participants annually
Program period: 2026–2027
Application opens: 21 September 2026
Application deadline: 25 October 2026
Leadership intensives: February and September 2027
Location: Australia and Pacific region
Funding/Support: Coaching, residential leadership intensives, real-issue challenges and workplace internship opportunities
Eligibility: Citizens of listed Pacific countries who meet the Australia Awards scholar requirements

Each year, up to 30 Pacific women Australia Awards scholars are selected to participate in the program, which aims to strengthen women’s leadership capabilities, develop individual leadership styles, and build connections across the Pacific and Australia.

Through developmental leadership training, coaching, residential intensives, real-issue challenges and workplace internships, participants gain practical skills and networks to support lasting change in their communities, countries and region.

What Is the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program?

The Women’s Developmental Leadership Program supports Pacific women Australia Awards scholars to establish the foundations of developmental leadership, strengthen their leadership practice and develop regional and country-based connections.

The program also provides continuing support to alumni after they return to the Pacific, helping them apply developmental leadership approaches to real-world challenges.

Participants have access to several program offerings designed to build leadership knowledge, practical experience, confidence and professional networks.

Program Benefits and Opportunities

1. Bespoke Coaching

Participants and alumni can access one-on-one issues-based and collective ontological coaching sessions.

These coaching opportunities provide a supportive space to strategically work through barriers that may prevent participants from reaching their leadership potential.

2. Residential Leadership Intensives

The program includes two week-long residential leadership intensives.

These intensives enable participants to:

• Build deep connections with other Pacific women leaders
• Learn from prominent Pacific and Australian leaders
• Explore different approaches to leadership
• Test leadership concepts in their own contexts
• Develop their personal leadership style
• Strengthen regional networks

The two intensives will take place in February 2027 and September 2027.

3. Real Issue Challenges

Participants identify and address real-life developmental issues affecting their communities, countries and regions.

These challenges provide an opportunity to apply leadership learning and skills to practical situations while embedding developmental leadership approaches.

Additional opportunities to expand these initiatives may be available through the Leadership Fund.

4. Workplace Internships

Selected participants and alumni may receive support to design, seek and secure work placements and internships across Australia and the Pacific.

These placements are intended to help participants:

• Build professional skills
• Develop new networks
• Gain practical experience
• Increase readiness for leadership roles
• Strengthen connections between Australia and the Pacific

Key Program Dates

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program, applicants must:

• Identify as a woman
• Be enrolled as an Australia Awards scholar at an Australian university or tertiary institution during the first semester of the calendar year
• Be available to commence the program in Australia in February 2027
• Commit up to 15 days of face-to-face participation across the two residential intensives in February and September
• Have access to the internet
• Be a citizen of an eligible Pacific country

Application Requirements:
View the official application requirements

Apply Now:
Submit an application for the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program

Eligible Pacific Countries

Citizens of the following countries and territories are eligible to apply:

• Cook Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• French Polynesia
• Kiribati
• New Caledonia
• Naoero
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Wallis and Futuna

Women’s Developmental Leadership Program Application

Applications for the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program 2026–2027 opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 25 October 2026 at 11:59 PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Eligible Pacific women Australia Awards scholars interested in developing their leadership capabilities, expanding their networks and contributing to positive change in their communities are encouraged to review the application requirements before applying.

Official Program: Women’s Developmental Leadership Program
Apply: Women’s Developmental Leadership Program Application