Referee Brief.

The R.G. Menzies Scholarship to Harvard is funded by the Harvard Club of Australia and administered by the Australian National University (ANU).

Clause 1 of the Conditions of Award states its objective: “to support talented Australians who have gained admission to a Harvard University graduate school and whose primary objective after graduation is to make a significant contribution to Australia’s development.”

Clause 5 of the Conditions of Award: “Selection is made based on academic merit, qualities of leadership and breadth of vision as demonstrated by their passion and commitment to making a significant contribution to the development of Australia.”

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.

• You won’t be asked for anything when the candidate applies. References are requested only for shortlisted candidates, who then ask their referees to submit.
• 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.
• The ANU sets each round’s deadline. For the 2026 round, references were due by Wednesday 11 March 2026. Check this round’s date with the candidate or on the ANU scholarship page.

Questions about the form or the deadline go to the ANU Coursework Scholarships Office at philanthropic.scholarships@anu.edu.au. More detail for referees: rgmenziesharvard.org/apply/referees.