Bendigo Zonta: Future Business Leaders Award
- formerly Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
2026 Application Form
Applications now open.Zonta Bendigo and Zonta International Women in Business Awards
The Zonta Club of Bendigo offers two Award opportunities for women and girls in Business studies at tertiary level. 1. Zonta Bendigo Future Business Leaders Award for students enrolling in the second, third or honours year of their undergraduate degree. Bendigo Zonta Future Business Leaders Award helps women pursue undergraduate degrees in business and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom. This is a new Bendigo Club award replacing the previous Jane M Klauseman business award. It will support female tertiary students in Business fields with educational expenses and will be awarded following a Club-level application and interview process. It recognises and encourages emerging leaders amongst female business students who embody the spirit of Zonta: academic excellence, leadership promise, and a commitment to volunteering and creating a more equal world for women through advocacy and action. Eligibility: Women of any age, pursuing a business program and completing first year or enrolled in undergraduate study for the second, third or honours year of a Business-related degree with a major specialisation in: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business Management, Marketing, Law, Operations Management, Human Resources Management, International Business, or Entrepreneurship. Students enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute, who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field and who were living or studying in central Victoria whilst completing their schooling or TAFE to gain entry to university, are eligible. Online students are also eligible to apply if enrolled at an accredited university/college/institute. Students must be enrolled in at least the second year of an undergraduate program through to the final /honours year of their degree. Applicants must be enrolled at the time the scholarship funds are disbursed and must not graduate before the date of the award. Previous winners of the award may not apply. Application: The application is at the Zonta Bendigo club level. Please download and read the application form in full before completing. All parts of the application must be completed, relevant results and awards attached, signed where appropriate and submitted to our club via email by the printed deadline. Applications open October 2026 and close November 30, 2026 Selection: The Zonta Club nominates an evaluation panel to assess the applications and shortlist applicants for an interview, either in person, on-line or phone, from which the panel will select one winner. Award & Scholarship Money: The recipient will be notified ahead of our International Women's Day Dinner, held annually on the first Tuesday of March. The winner will receive a certificate at the IWD dinner and a transfer of $1,500.00. The cost of attending the dinner for the recipient is covered by the club. Guests are welcome to attend at the ticketed price. 2. Zonta International Women in Business Leadership Award Women have made remarkable strides in education, business and professional leadership, but they remain underrepresented where the most important decisions are made. Globally, women hold just 32.9% of senior management positions, and only 23.8% of CEO roles in the mid-market businesses tracked by Grant Thornton. The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award celebrates exceptional women entrepreneurs and leaders who are breaking barriers and making a difference in their fields. By recognizing and supporting emerging women leaders, Zonta is investing in a future where women have an equal voice in shaping the decisions that affect workplaces, communities and economies. Zonta International annually offers 10 international awards of US$5,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year. Eligibility: Women, aged 18-35 at the time of application, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply. Exceptional leadership in a business-related field of study or industry. Entrepreneurial spirit. Ethical conduct. Significant contributions to addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice. Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women are not eligible to apply for the Awards. Z club and Golden Z club members are eligible to apply. Previous Zonta Women in Business Leadership Awardees are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year. Recipients of a Zonta fellowship or award who have received a complimentary one-year supporting membership from Zonta International are eligible to apply during their complimentary membership year, provided that they are not applying for the same fellowship or scholarship they previously received from Zonta International. Application process: Applicants living in the Bendigo geographic area may apply via the Bendigo Zonta Club. Applications have closed for 2026 but will open again in July 2027. Only typed applications will be accepted and considered. Award information and application forms will be available in 2027. Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international award. For more information see: https://www.zonta.org/Web/Web/Programs/Education/Zonta_Women_in_Business_Leadership_Award.aspx?hkey=5fb4f07a-f30d-42ad-bb53-7cb802f1eb7c |
Past Jane M Klausman Scholarship Recipients:
2024 Winner - Linda D
2023 Winner - Joanne W
2022 Winner - Gemma R
Past Winners: 2024 - Linda D 2023 - Joanne W 2022 - Gemma R 2021 - No applications received 2020 - No applications received 2019 - Sarah T |
