Foundation Purpose

Established in 2001, the General Sir John Monash Foundation provides postgraduate scholarships to outstanding Australians to study overseas. The Foundation's mission is to encourage the academic excellence of our nation’s brightest individuals and to foster the growth of their leadership qualities for the benefit of Australia’s future.

What started as a bold idea twenty years ago to support a small group of talented Australians to further their knowledge by studying postgraduate programs overseas has grown into one of Australia’s most remarkable success stories, the John Monash Scholarship Program – a highly impactful Brand Australia initiative. In 2024, the program has a community of 264 Scholars with best practice knowledge in disciplines that range from engineering to the environment, Indigenous rights, domestic violence, business analytics, medicine and wellbeing, human rights, the arts, music, public policy and much more.

Generously supported by governments, corporate organisations, private donors and a body of universities, the John Monash scholarships offer a unique opportunity for Australians to be supported in postgraduate studies overseas. These scholarships are open to all Australians of any age, location and industry who have a undergraduate from an Australian university, display academic excellence and leadership capabilities, and are driven by a commitment to citizenship. 

The John Monash Scholarship is awarded in the spirit of General Sir John Monash, a remarkable Australian who believed that education is not given for individual benefit, but for the higher duties of citizens who seek to contribute to the advancement of society. Our Foundation values are modeled in his name : Leadership, Impact, Community, Excellence and Service.

Understanding that leadership is an ongoing journey, in 2021 the Foundation launched the John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy, our ongoing alumni program that is committed to ensure the professional and academic success of Scholar members to become leaders for life. The Academy provides ongoing support, mentorship and professional development for John Monash Scholars to help maximise their long-term impact. 

“Making the nation great requires leadership based upon sound education and application”

General Sir John Monash 

To find out more about the life and legacy of General Sir John Monash, go to History of John Monash.