Graduate Research School Doctor of Philosophy Candidates HDR Scholarships

Higher Degree by Research Scholarships

Applications for 2024 commencing students can now be submitted.  Closing Date: 30 September 2023.

(Applications for 2023 JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarships are now closed.)

If you are already enrolled in your Higher Degree by Research course and you wish to apply for a scholarship, please go to MyStudent. Enquiries should be forwarded to [email protected]

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 and Priority HDR Scholarships for domestic and international applicants.  Each of these scholarships is paid as a living allowance fortnightly into your personal bank account.  When you indicate that you wish to apply for a scholarship, you will be considered for all the scholarships for which you are eligible.

2023 Scholarship Scoring Procedure.

How to Apply

Competitive Scholarships

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

Value: $46,653 pa in 2023 (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: $29,863 pa in 2023 (living allowance paid fortnightly) + Overseas Health Cover

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: International Applicants*

Value: $29,863 pa in 2023 (living allowance paid fortnightly)

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: Domestic Applicants*

Value: $29,863 pa in 2023 (living allowance paid fortnightly)

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: All Applicants

Value: $29,863 pa in 2023 (living allowance paid fortnightly) + $5,000 pa as living allowance or project expenses

Duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: All Applicants

Priority Scholarships

*NEW* National Industry PhD program

For  all the information about the newly released National Industry PhD program scholarships and other industry funded scholarships check out the GRS Industry Engagement webpage.

HDR Co-funded Scholarship Procedure.

This procedure is new in 2022 and outlines the opportunity for co-funding from JCU for a HDR Stipend Scholarship, where 50% of the scholarship funds are sourced externally to JCU and are held by the Advisor.  See the procedure here.

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.  The GRS must be informed at the time of grant application.

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.

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

More information

For further information on funding opportunities: