COVID-19 Advice for the JCU Community - Last updated: 27 January 2022, 10am (AEST)

Graduate Research School HDR Candidates Scholarships

Higher Degree Research Scholarships

Applications for 2022 JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarships for Higher Degree Research are now closed.  

Applications for 2023 can now be submitted.

JCU-funded Postgraduate Research Scholarships for Higher Degree by Research Candidates are awarded annually on a competitive basis to the top ranking applicants.  JCU offers a range of competitive Postgraduate Research Scholarships for domestic and international applicants as listed below.  Each of these scholarships is paid as a living allowance fortnightly into your personal bank account.

International border closures remain in place for Australia, without a timeframe for when they will be lifted.  Nevertheless JCU is striving to maintain maximum flexibility for our HDR candidates.

The GRS is pleased to advise that JCU will be able to consider applications for 2022 Postgraduate Research Scholarships from the following applicants:

  1. International and domestic applicants who are onshore in Australia (or Singapore where applicable) at the time of application.
  2. International and domestic applicants who are not located in Australia, with the following conditions:
    1. The applicant is able to provide evidence that they have an active Australian Bank Account in their name, at the point of application.  An active Australian Bank Account requires you to have presented identification in person at a branch of the bank in Australia.
    2. The project has been designed in a way that would enable the project to be commenced, and potentially completed from the applicant’s location at the time of application, and the advisory panel agree to supervise the project remotely, if required.

2022 Scholarship Scoring Procedure.

How to Apply

When you indicate that you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be considered for all the scholarships for which you are eligible.

All Scholarships include exemption from Tuition Fees for the duration of "in-time" candidature.  Scholarships do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee, relocation costs or health insurance unless otherwise specified.

*Domestic Applicants means Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents, and New Zealand Citizens. International Applicants are all other applicants.

If you are already enrolled in your course and you wish to apply for a scholarship for, please email to  grs@jcu.edu.au

Scholarship list

Value: $45,076 pa in 2022 (living allowance paid fortnightly) + $10,000 one off for project expenses.

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: PhD only applicants who identify as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.  Indigenous MPhil applicants will be considered only for standard rate RTP scholarships.

Value: $28,854 pa in 2022 (living allowance paid fortnightly) + Overseas Health Cover

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: International Applicants*

Value: $28,854 pa in 2022 (living allowance paid fortnightly)

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: Domestic Applicants*

Value: $28,854 pa in 2022 (living allowance paid fortnightly)

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: All Applicants

Value: $28,854 pa in 2022 (living allowance paid fortnightly) + $5,000 pa as living allowance or project expenses

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: All Applicants

Advertising and establishing a new HDR Scholarship opportunity

This form is for anyone wishing to advertise a Scholarship opportunity. By completing this form the opportunity can be administered by the GRS and advertised on the JCU centralised Scholarships database. This enables JCU to store all HDR scholarship and award opportunities in one place.

If you have funding from an industry partner, please see more information and supporting resources on the Industry engagement page.

If you would like more help to advertise the scholarship externally online please download this form on  hints and tips on advertising scholarships 

HDR Scholarships in Grant Applications

The GRS will guarantee a scholarship for any successful Future Fellow/Laureate Fellow UNLESS the Future Fellow/Laureate Fellow application includes and is successful in being awarded two scholarships, in which case the GRS will match that by guaranteeing two scholarships.  The GRS will also guarantee a scholarship for any successful ARC DECRA Grants. Successful grant recipients can award the scholarship to candidates of their choosing. Please see the information sheet here.

Please note: The GRS must be informed at the time of grant application so that the scholarship can be budgeted.

Externally funded research scholarships

If you are considering applying for a postgraduate research course at James Cook University you may also apply for externally funded research scholarships at any time, according to the terms and conditions of the scholarship or grant program. There are opportunities for both International and Domestic Applicants, so please visit our Externally Funded Research Scholarships page.

JCU Tropics Fund for Higher Degrees by Research

The JCU Tropics Research Fund provides research scholarships to postgraduate student of any nationality, who are undertaking Master or Doctoral level research into issues of importance to the peoples of the tropics. JCU Tropics fund is intended to be used for stipends for higher degree by research candidates. If you are interested in donating to support Higher Degree by Research Candidates in their studies donate now.

More information

For further information on funding opportunities: