The Bullwinkel Scholars Leadership Program Scholarship forms part of the Bullwinkel Scholars Program, funded by the Bullwinkel Project. Scholarship recipients are known as the Bullwinkel Scholars. Twenty-one scholarships honour the nurses, with an additional scholarship awarded in the name of Vivian Bullwinkel.
Valued up to $10,000 for enrolment into an appropriate ACN Institute of Leadership program together with a contribution towards the cost of attending. There are 21 scholarships available. Applicants must be a registered nurse and meet the relevant prerequisites for the Leadership program they wish to complete and agree to the ACN Foundation Scholarship Terms and Conditions.
Applications close 11:59pm AEDT, Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Number of scholarships: 21
Value of scholarship: $10,000
ACN Institute of Leadership Programs
Under the Bullwinkel Scholars Leadership Program Scholarship, there are three Leadership Programs available:
- Nurse Manager Leadership Program
- Nurse Director Leadership Program
- Nurse Executive Leadership Program
Nurse Manager Leadership Program
The Nurse Manager Leadership Program — A career developer for those in, or those aspiring to, nurse unit management roles, focused on building practical skills to influence and manage self, others, resources, and operations, benefiting staff, the community, and those receiving care.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for the scholarship to undertake this program applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Australia.
- Hold a current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Have a minimum of three years postgraduate experience.
- Currently hold a Nurse Manager role or aspiring to a management position.
- Be able to identify an area for development that will be addressed by this scholarship and how you will apply the learnings in your practice.
- Demonstrate leadership qualities in nursing and/or the health or aged care systems.
- Be able to attend five-day face-to-face masterclass at the chosen location of the program.
Nurse Director Leadership Program
The Nurse Director Leadership Program — A career consolidator for driven nurses who want to supplement their professional experience with a challenging leadership intensive to advance their careers.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for a scholarship to undertake this program applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Australia.
- Hold a current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Have a minimum of six years postgraduate experience or be able to demonstrate an ability to influence organisations, team practices and/or cultures, such as nurse leaders seeking promotion into a management position.
- Be able to demonstrate leadership qualities in nursing and/or the health or aged care systems, such as recently appointed managers seeking to fast-track their development into confident self-directed leaders.
- Have an ability to complete the program work during the six-month period.
- Be able to attend four-day face-to-face masterclass at the chosen location of the program (17 – 20 May 2027 in Melbourne).
Nurse Executive Leadership Program
The Nurse Executive Leadership Program — A career accelerator for ambitious nurses who want to strengthen their influence and command respect and recognition.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for the scholarship to undertake this program applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Australia.
- Hold a current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Have a minimum of six years’ postgraduate experience and be able to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirements of ACN’s Nurse Executive Capability Framework.
- Be able to demonstrate experience at the nurse executive level or an ability to work at the nurse executive level.
- Have an ability to complete the program work during the six-month period.
- Be able to attend four-day face-to-face masterclass at the chosen location of the program (17 – 20 May 2027 in Melbourne).
Documents required
- Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent resident of Australia (birth certificate, passport, VEVO or visa papers).
- Current CV.
- Current AHPRA nurse registration.
- Identification such as drivers license or passport.
- Name change evidence (if name appears different on documents).
- A letter of support from the applicant’s supervisor outlining their ability to complete the program within the required timeframe.
Selection criteria
Applications are open to registered nurses from all specialities within the nursing profession who aspire to be a leader at whatever stage of their career, who can demonstrate their commitment to:
- The nursing profession.
- Their own investment in personal and professional development.
- Contribute over and above their position description to deliver the care that all Australians deserve.
- Successful applicants will demonstrate the attributes and qualities that have cemented the respect and regard the nursing profession holds today.
Applications that do not demonstrate commitment to the nursing profession, improving patient and health outcomes, or exemplify the values of the nurses who made the ultimate sacrifice on Radji Beach, Bangka Island will not be considered.
Selection questions
- How do you individually make a difference in your own workplace to advance the nursing profession?
- How would becoming a Bullwinkel Scholar advance your career and current leadership skills from where they are currently to where you aspire to be?
- Based on your research of the Radji Beach Nurses, how do you anticipate that their narrative of dedication and sacrifice will impact your nursing career?
Successful recipient requirements
Each successful recipient will be required to:
- Undertake and complete the approved course or program.
- Meet all attendance, participation and assessment requirements associated with the selected program.
- Provide a written report to the ACN Foundation at the conclusion of your certificate or program outlining how the scholarship has impacted on your professional development and how the program benefited your workplace or community.
Applications
Applications close 11:59pm AEDT, Sunday, 25 October 2026.
