For Refereesand Supervisors.
For academics and professionals asked to write a reference for an R.G. Menzies Scholarship applicant, and for Honours convenors, supervisors and deans who want to encourage strong students to apply.
The Australian National University (ANU) administers the award for the Harvard Club of Australia. The ANU’s scholarship page and Conditions of Award are the authority on every detail here.
For Referees: How It Works
The applicant names you
Applicants list their referees in the application. You won’t be asked for anything at that stage.
You’re asked only if they’re shortlisted
References are requested only for shortlisted candidates. Candidates hear by early March and then ask their referees to submit.
You submit by the ANU’s deadline
For the 2026 round, references were due by Wednesday 11 March 2026. The ANU scholarship page gives each round’s date.
You use the ANU’s referee form
References go to the ANU through its online referee form. The candidate passes you the link, and the ANU scholarship page carries it for newly nominated referees.
Applicants: the one-page referee brief sums this up for your referees, ready to print or send.
What the Committee Assesses
Under the Conditions of Award, selection is based on academic merit, qualities of leadership and breadth of vision, as shown by the candidate’s passion and commitment to making a significant contribution to the development of Australia. What the committee looks for sets out each criterion in plain English.
Where you can, speak to these criteria from your own knowledge of the candidate. The ANU’s Applicant Information Document sets out what it needs from each referee:
- Academic or professional referees. Two of the candidate’s referees must be able to speak with knowledge of their academic or professional merit and their capacity for higher degree study.
- Personal referee. One referee must be able to write a personal reference, commenting on the candidate’s personal qualities and their role in the wider community.
Candidates are interviewed by a selection committee of up to six people, three appointed by the ANU’s Vice-Chancellor and three by the Harvard Club of Australia. The Club notes that the panel usually includes a number of past winners.
For Honours Convenors, Supervisors and Deans
Menzies Scholars come from universities across Australia, in any discipline. Up to two scholarships may be awarded each year. Each is worth up to US$60,000 a year, and the Harvard Club of Australia notes up to US$120,000 for a two-year degree.
A student must meet every criterion in the Conditions of Award. See Who can apply for the list, or point them to the eligibility check.
The ANU lists the eligible levels of study as “Postgraduate/Masters, and Graduate certificate”.
When to Start the Conversation
Well before applications open: Harvard admission
The award requires admission to a Harvard graduate program, so a student needs to be applying to Harvard well before Menzies applications close. Harvard’s admissions page sends applicants to each school for admissions and financial aid information, and Planning ahead lists the deadlines each school has published.
November or December: applications open
Applications are made through the ANU. The 2026 round opened on 12 December 2025.
Early February: applications close
The 2026 round closed on 9 February 2026. The ANU scholarship page lists the next round’s dates. A student still waiting on a Harvard decision when applications close should check with the ANU Coursework Scholarships Office before applying.
March: shortlisting and references
Shortlisted candidates are told by early March, and their referees are then asked to submit.
March and April: interviews
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the selection committee.
Questions from Referees
Should I send a reference when the student applies?
No. References are requested only once a candidate has been shortlisted, usually in early March.
I’ve been nominated as a new referee. Where do I find the form?
The candidate should give you the link to the ANU’s referee form. It is also on the ANU scholarship page.
Who do I ask about the form or the deadline?
The ANU Coursework Scholarships Office, at philanthropic.scholarships@anu.edu.au.
Get in Touch
If you’re an academic who would like to talk with us about encouraging students to apply, get in touch. Students can find the award’s details on How to apply, and what to prepare in the application checklist.