Spark: Women’s Scholarship

Applications for Spark: our women’s scholarship and program are now closed.

EY-Parthenon Strategy (formerly EY Port Jackson Partners) pursues excellence and impact for our clients, our firm, and our community. Through Spark, we want to recognise exceptional women and support them in beginning to build a career that is interesting, challenging, and fulfilling.

We are looking for women who are curious and driven to make a positive impact. We encourage women from all degree backgrounds to apply for Spark, and gain insight into what a future in strategy consulting could look like.

This year, Spark will provide three different opportunities:

  • The scholarship winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize, a paid internship, and mentorship from one of our senior women leaders
  • A small group of highly commended candidates will receive a paid internship, with ongoing one-on-one mentoring from one our senior consultants
  • 20 candidates will receive an invitation to our Spark engagement program. This will involve two whole-day workshops through the year, focusing on professional development and skill-building. Participants will also be invited to join EY-Parthenon Strategy events including our regular “Ideas@EY-Parthenon Strategy” seminars

Who are we?

EY-Parthenon Strategy is a leading strategy consulting firm based in Sydney and Melbourne. EY-Parthenon Strategy was founded as Port Jackson Partners in 1991 and was Australia’s leading strategy boutique for almost three decades. In 2020, Port Jackson Partners joined EY and in 2025 we have rebranded to EY-Parthenon Strategy as part of a global move to consolidate EY’s premium C-suite offerings under one global brand. As part of EY, we have been able to scale up, expand into new sectors, and enjoy being part of a global network while maintaining our unique culture and ‘boutique’ feel.

How do I apply?

To apply, submit an online application by 11:59 pm (AEST), Sunday, 26 July 2026. We will ask you to provide your CV including ATAR or other tertiary equivalent, recent academic transcripts, and response to these questions:

  • Tell us about a role model and why they inspire you?
  • What is an experience you’ve had that changed how you see the world?
  • What would you most want to learn from the Spark program?

You can draw on your academic, volunteering, extracurricular, work, or personal experiences – anything that shows us how you think, grow, and work with others. We encourage you to make your response authentic and reflective of your personality.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a student in your penultimate or pre-penultimate year of an undergraduate or post-graduate program who identifies as a woman. You must also be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident currently residing in either country.

We will then select applicants for two rounds of interviews. The interviews aim to help us understand your:

  • Problem solving skills, demonstrated through your ability to identify key issues, synthesise information to create insight, and be comfortable with numbers
  • Intellectual impact, indicated by a strong academic track record in your chosen field of study, curiosity and passion for learning, and diversity of thought
  • Personal impact, or how effective and adaptable you are in collaborating with diverse teams, and
  • Values, including what motivates you

Terms and Conditions can be found on our website here.

Want to know more?