Nominations open for the 2026 Erin Geaney GLE Scholarship
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People is inviting nominations from the disability sector for the Erin Geaney Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) Scholarship 2026.
Note: scholarship applications have now closed.
About the scholarship
The scholarship honours the legacy of Erin Geaney, a New Zealander who was a valued member of GLE and worked with the organisation for almost 23 years. Erin passed away unexpectedly on 19 February 2025.
To recognise Erin’s contribution, GLE is offering a scholarship to a New Zealand leader who best represents the theme of this year’s Exchange: “Ideas to action: Inspiring leaders to mobilise collective solutions”.
The successful nominee will be fully funded to attend the GLE in Canada from 1 to 5 June 2026. This includes travel, accommodation and related costs.
The GLE Exchange includes:
- immersive knowledge exchanges (‘matches’): 1 to 2 June
- a global network meeting: 3 to 5 June.
The recipient will be expected to attend a 2-day match of their choice and the 2-day network meeting.
Leaders from the mental health, substance use and addictions, and disability sectors worldwide will attend.
Nomination criteria
Nominees need to have:
- at least 5 years’ leadership experience
- a demonstrated idea-to-action project with real‑world impact
- a willingness to participate internationally.
Nominees can also have (optional):
- lived experience
- reasonable accommodations (can be discussed separately).
Nominators must confirm that the nominee has agreed to be nominated.
Note: the Ministry of Health is seeking nominations from the substance use and addiction sector, and the mental health sector.
Nomination process
- Download and fill out the nomination form (DOCX 132KB).
- Send it by 12 noon on Monday 30 March 2026 to outreach@whaikaha.govt.nz.
Selection process
- We will review all nominations from the disability sector and select 1 nominee.
- GLE International will then select the scholarship recipient from the 3 nominees (1 from each sector).
- We expect the outcome to be confirmed by 20 April 2026.