The Women on Boards Bursary Programme, with generous support of Sheryl Cuisia and a group of experienced Chairs, is now open for emerging female non-executive directors – across all sectors. Now in its fourth year, the programme will award six women, who would not otherwise be able to afford it, complimentary places on its signature Boardroom Journey, worth up to £1,500.

Entries open on International Women’s Day (IWD) on the 8 March 2022 and close on 31 March 2022. This year’s IWD theme is break the bias, calling on us all to challenge stereotypes and bias in our communities, schools, and in our workplaces.

Women on Boards’ purpose is to challenge bias in the workplace and to accelerate board diversity by supporting as many women as possible to overcome the hurdles to contribute their skills and perspective as non-executive directors. What they do works, with eight members gaining a new board role every week (on average). 

Its 2022 Bursary Programme is open to all female, non-binary and transgender people aspiring to achieve their leadership potential. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your experience is – if you’re ambitious, motivated to succeed, and passionate about pursuing a non-executive director role, then you’re the perfect applicant for this bursary scheme.

Winners will be given a place on the Boardroom Journey worth up to £1,500 and one year’s membership to Women on Boards, including access to its Vacancy Board, as well as:

• 1 x Getting Started: Realising your board potential workshop
• 1 x Building a Board CV online course and a library of further online learning resources
• 1 x personal Board CV review and 1-on-1 pre-interview support
• 1 x one-off 1-hour ‘board campaign’ consultation.
• Be part of a peer support group with other Women on Boards members
• A range of regular networking and ’Boardroom Insights’ events throughout the year.

Previous winners have been from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds and have gone on to secure non-executive director roles. You can read their stories here.

Fiona Hathorn, CEO and co-founder of Women on Boards UK says: “Financial barriers are a significant reason for many people not achieving their career goals and we’re determined that this shouldn’t be the case. Our Bursary Programme is one of the most fulfilling things we do and every year we get to work with incredibly talented women on their way to making a difference to organisations and their careers.”

For further information, to apply or to contact the team visit Women on Boards UK 2022 Bursary Programme webpage.