The Pride Business Association (NSW) has opened applications for its 2026 Education Fund Scholarships, supporting LGBTQIA+ people aged 30 and over to return to study, training or professional development.
The PBA Education Fund recognises that education pathways are not always linear. For many LGBTQIA+ people, earlier opportunities to pursue study or training may have been interrupted by life circumstances, discrimination, financial barriers, family rejection, caring responsibilities or a lack of support.
Three scholarships are available in 2026:
- The MCC Welfare Services Scholarship – $2,500
- The Rise Scholarship – $5,000
- The Michael Glynn Scholarship – $10,000
Applications are open to LGBTQIA+ people across New South Wales who are aged 30 or over and are pursuing accredited education or training at any level.
Applications open on 1 May 2026 and close on 30 June 2026.
Everyone is welcome at the PBA! Check out our upcoming events.
PBA President Jarrod Lomas said the scholarships are a practical investment in LGBTQIA+ people and their futures.
“The PBA Education Fund is about backing LGBTQIA+ people to take the next step in education, work and life.
“Not everyone gets the same start or follows the same path. These scholarships recognise talent, resilience and ambition, no matter someone’s background or experience.
“I strongly encourage eligible LGBTQIA+ people across NSW to apply. Whether you are returning to study, building new skills or changing direction, this fund exists to help you move forward.”
Since its inception, the PBA Education Fund has invested nearly $100,000 into the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting trailblazers who drive meaningful change. The success of our 2025 cohort, including law student Todd Lynch, sexology researcher Bree Mountain, and business leader Robert Allison, demonstrates the Fund’s transformative power. These scholars are already translating their education into advocacy and leadership across the legal, health, and trade sectors, proving that these scholarships are more than just financial aid, they are a catalyst for community-wide progress.
READ MORE: PBA announces 2025 Education Fund Scholarship Award Winners
Comedy for a Cause headliner Peter Berner at the PBA Education Fund Awards 2025.
Dr Chris Colwell, Chair of the PBA Education Fund, said the Fund helps remove practical barriers to education.
“Education can be a turning point at any age. These scholarships provide practical support for LGBTQIA+ adults who are ready to pursue study, training or professional development.”
PBA Education Fund Committee members Emily Evison and Chris Colwell at the PBA Education Fund Awards 2025.
“We are proud to support recipients to build confidence, create new opportunities and take the next step in their lives.”
The PBA Education Fund is supported through community fundraising, donors and scholarship partners, including MCC Welfare Services – joining the Fund in 2026 as a scholarship sponsor.
MCC Welfare Services (MCCWS) is a community organisation committed to ensuring that no one faces hardship or isolation alone. For more than 25 years, MCCWS has delivered compassionate, practical support to people experiencing vulnerability across Sydney — offering emergency relief, community‑building programs, and support for refugees and asylum seekers.
By sponsoring a scholarship through the Pride Business Association’s Education Fund, MCC Welfare Services is deepening its commitment to empowerment and opportunity. Their support removes barriers to education, nurtures emerging leaders, and strengthens the future of LGBTQ+ communities.
This partnership reflects MCCWS’s belief that everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive – and that community organisations play a vital role in making those opportunities real.
Applications can be made at: https://pba.org.au/education-fund/apply/
For more information about the PBA Education Fund, visit: https://pba.org.au/education-fund/
The PBA Education Fund is holding a fundraising event – Drag Trivia for a Cause hosted by Victoria Mami – on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at Uncanny Newtown. Tickets can be purchased here: https://bit.ly/PBATrivia26
Everyone is welcome at the PBA! Check out our upcoming events.
