CSL Community Impact Awards in Australia

Applications are now open for the 2026 CSL Community Impact Awards. The Awards support not-for-profit and social purpose organisations in Australia whose work is focused on improving health outcomes, including mental health.

The CSL Community Impact Awards provide scholarships to participate in the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program, delivered by Melbourne Business School’s Centre for Social Purpose Organisations.

For 110 years, CSL has been committed to improving the lives of patients and donors and safeguarding public health. The CSL Community Impact Awards reflect this commitment by supporting leadership capabilities across Australia’s not-for-profit and social purpose health sector.

About the CSL Community Impact Awards
In 2026, CSL is offering eight scholarships to participate in the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program, each valued at $12,500, towards the $13,000 Program fee.

The scholarships include tuition, mentoring, one night of accommodation for each Program block and meals during the residential sessions.
Successful applicants, or their organisation, are required to contribute the remaining $500 of the Program’s fee. This co-contribution supports active commitment and participation in the Program.

Eligibility
The CSL Community Impact Awards are intended for emerging leaders working in not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations with a primary strategic purpose to improve the health of people living in Australia, including mental health.

About the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program
The Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program is an immersive 12-week leadership and business Program designed for leaders in not-for-profit and social purpose organisations who have limited or no prior business management training.

Participants will build practical leadership and business capability in areas including:

• Social purpose strategy
• Social impact systems thinking and measurement
• Stakeholder management and communications
• Leading people
• Financial fundamentals
• Negotiation
• Social purpose governance

The Program combines classroom learning, workplace application, mentoring and coaching. Participants attend three blocks of two-day residential learning, followed by workplace-based application and reflection, supported by a mentor and coaching. The 2026 Program runs from July – October.
Hear from previous CSL Community Impact Award recipients and their reflections on the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program.

About the Centre for Social Purpose Organisations
Melbourne Business School’s Centre for Social Purpose Organisations supports not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations to be strategic, sustainable and impactful.

• Applications open: Now
• Applications close: 20 May 2026
• Outcome: The 2026 CSL Community Impact Award recipients will be notified in early June.
• Program timing: July – October 2026. Participants attend three blocks of two-day in-residence learning (on location at MBS), followed by four weeks of a work-application and reflection, all supported by a work-based mentor and coaching by MBS.

Apply Now
To apply for the CSL Community Impact Awards, please complete the Emerging Social Purpose Leaders Program application.
All applications from not-for-profit and other social purpose organisations in Australia whose work is focused on improving health outcomes, including mental health, will be considered for a CSL scholarship as part of the CSL Community Impact Awards.

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