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R.G. Menzies Scholarship to Harvard

Global Expertise.National Impact.

For more than five decades, the R.G. Menzies Scholarship to Harvard has helped exceptional Australians pursue graduate study and return to strengthen the nation’s intellectual, cultural and economic life.

The scholarship is funded by the Harvard Club of Australia and administered by the Australian National University. Its growth depends on partners who share that goal.

Enquire about partneringWays to give

Why Support the Scholarship

The scholarship does not just fund a degree. It builds the expertise and leadership Australia will draw on for decades.

At Harvard, scholars learn alongside people from around the world. The real benefit grows when they return. What they learn is shared through Australia’s institutions, public policy and industries, and one scholar’s experience can shape the work of many colleagues.

Since 1968 the scholarship has supported more than 100 scholars (see where some of them went). As the alumni network grows, former scholars mentor new ones, creating a continuing cycle of knowledge and support.

Because scholars are chosen for their plans to contribute to Australia, gifts support work that continues long after graduation.

Browse the Honour Roll

Ways to Partner

We welcome organisations and individuals who want to help Australia’s best graduates study at the highest level and bring that knowledge home.

Philanthropic and funding partnerships

Gifts help close the gap between the value of the award and the full cost of a Harvard degree, and increase the number of scholars supported each year. Support can take the form of one-off gifts, endowments or co-sponsorships. See how to give below.

Corporate and strategic partnerships

Companies and firms can work with the Harvard Club of Australia’s alumni network to offer employment, board or advisory opportunities to returning scholars. Employers can also encourage their own emerging leaders to apply, on the understanding that they bring their Harvard experience back to the organisation.

Media and outreach partnerships

Publications, professional associations and academic journals can help us reach strong candidates during the application period, and can feature current scholars and alumni to show the program’s impact to applicants, donors and the public.

Academic and institutional affiliates

Menzies Scholars come from universities across Australia. We encourage Honours convenors, deans and faculty to identify outstanding students and suggest they apply, and we can provide briefing materials to help. Our guide for referees and supervisors sets out what the selection panel assesses and when.

Enquire about partnering

How to Give

Gifts to the scholarship take one of two Australian routes: the Harvard Club of Australia Foundation, or the Australian National University (ANU), which administers the scholarship and holds its fund. The Harvard Club of Australia publishes the account details for both on its giving page. Please take payment details from that page, as they can change.

The Club notes that donations made by Australians directly to Harvard are not deductible against Australian income.

Through the Harvard Club of Australia Foundation

The Foundation is managed by Perpetual Trustees. The Club’s giving page explains that donations under $1,000 are paid to the Club and forwarded to Perpetual, and larger donations go to the Foundation directly. You can say how you would like your gift applied, including to the Menzies Scholarship. The Club asks donors to email the details of their gift to admin@harvardclub.org.au. For donations under $1,000, a receipt is issued above $500 or on request. For larger gifts, include your name and address so the Foundation can issue one.

Directly to the ANU

Gifts specifically for the scholarship can go to the ANU’s Robert Gordon Menzies Fund (fund number E54970RG, “Robert Gordon Menzies Scholarships”). This is the route for private ancillary funds and prescribed private funds. The Club explains that its Foundation is itself a private giving fund, so it can’t accept gifts from them. For a receipt, or to give by cheque, contact the ANU Coursework Scholarships Office at philanthropic.scholarships@anu.edu.au.

From the United States

US residents can give to Harvard directly. The Club’s giving page gives the allocation to use: “625-625175 Menzies Scholarship Fund”.

The R.G. Menzies Scholarship MBA Fund

The Harvard Club of Australia is building capital for an additional Menzies Scholarship for study at Harvard Business School. The effort was started by the HBS MBA Class of 1970, which continues to support it. The fund is drawn on only when a Menzies Scholar is studying for an MBA at HBS.

To direct a gift to Menzies scholars at HBS, name the “Menzies Business School Scholarship”, fund number E54970 RG01 (“HBS MBA Scholarships”). Harvard Business School acknowledges donations to the Harvard Club of Australia Foundation as part of reunion class gifts. Copy admin@harvardclub.org.au with your class and section.

Gifts in Wills and Regular Gifts

The Harvard Club of Australia invites bequests to the Harvard Club of Australia Foundation, through a provision in your will or a codicil, with any directions on how the bequest should be applied.

The ANU also accepts gifts in wills. Its Gift and Estate Planning team, at bequests@anu.edu.au, can suggest wording, and the ANU recommends professional legal advice for estate planning. The ANU takes regular gifts by direct debit or credit too. To direct them to the Menzies fund, ask the ANU Coursework Scholarships Office.

Tax Deductibility

The Australian Business Register’s ABN Lookup records (extracted 22 October 2026) show:

  • The Trustee for Harvard Club of Australia Foundation (ABN 61 809 039 121) is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient from 1 October 2009, as a private giving fund under Item 2 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. ABN Lookup record.
  • The Australian National University (ABN 52 234 063 906) is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient from 1 July 2000, under Item 1 of the same table. ABN Lookup record.

The Australian Taxation Office explains when a gift to a deductible gift recipient can be claimed and what records you need. We can’t give tax advice, so check your own circumstances with the ATO or an adviser.

Who to Contact