Externally Funded HDR Scholarships

The following scholarship and grant opportunities are funded by external organisations for higher degree research students to undertake research in a wide range of fields, both within Australia and overseas. You can apply for these opportunities through their respective websites.

The John Monash Scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding Australian graduates to support them with postgraduate study at the world’s best universities. The Scholarships are not limited by age, gender, academic field of study or choice of university, with successful applicants having demonstrated excellence in their field, leadership potential and a vision for how they can contribute to a better Australia. The John Monash Scholarships are proudly supported by the Australian Government, private sector organisations, universities and individuals.

Applications open

1 May 2023

Applications close

14 July 2023

How to apply

All applications must be submitted online via the John Monash Foundation website

Benefit

A stipend of AU$75,000 per year for each year of study (up to a maximum of 3 years)

The following world class universities offer partial or full fee waivers to John Monash Scholars, for certain degree types: King’s College London (UK), Cranfield University (UK), IE University Madrid (Spain) and The University of Groningen (The Netherlands)

Citizenship requirements

Australian citizen

Applicable study areas

All study areas

Number of Scholarships awarded

10-20 per year

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be an Australian citizen
  • Have completed (or nearly completed) a degree with an Australian university
  • Be planning to undertake postgraduate study overseas commencing in the calendar year following the year of application (it is not necessary to have already been accepted to the institution at the time of applying)
  • Applicants who have been successful in securing a Rhodes, Fulbright or Ramsay scholarship are not eligible for a John Monash Scholarship.

Selection criteria

In awarding John Monash Scholarships, factors considered include:

  • Excellence - may be evidenced through a degree obtained with outstanding results. It can also be demonstrated through prizes, awards, publications, performances, exhibitions, enterprises and excellence in professional endeavours.
  • Leadership - applicants should demonstrate leadership experience or potential. This can come from their studies, professional environments and/or the community.
  • Citizenship - a clearly identified career pathway that evidences applicant’s ability to contribute to Australia and a clear career trajectory that demonstrates the benefit to society. This includes a well-developed case for choosing a university relevant to the proposed area of study.

3 references are required. Referees should be senior people who can speak to the applicant’s leadership capabilities, whether they be academic, professional or personal.

For enquiries

Please email the John Monash Foundation.

CSIRO have a range of HDR scholarships. Check out the iPhD program 

CSIRO's Industry PhD (iPhD) Program brings together an industry partner, a university and Australia’s leading science agency, CSIRO, to co-develop a four-year industry-focused PhD project. It provides PhD students with a unique skill set to focus on impact driven research.

CSIRO’s Industry PhD program is being delivered as part of the Australian Government initiative to better translate university research into commercialisation outcomes.

https://www.eliteediting.com.au/scholarship/

https://www.menziesfoundation.org.au/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/academic-program/phd-fellowship/australia-new-zealand/

The Northcote Postgraduate Scholarship is to enable students normally resident in the UK to undertake a higher degree at an Australian university for up to three years. The Britain-Australia Society administers the Northcote Postgraduate Scholarships on behalf of the Northcote Trust.

There is no limitation on the field of study. Applicants must be resident in the UK (or one of its dependencies or territories) and need to ascertain their own eligibility for a postgraduate programme (MA or PhD) in Australia.

The Trustees particularly welcome proposals for PhD and research-based Masters programmes.

For more information, please visit the British-Australia Society website.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Students at Swiss Higher Education Institutions.

Each year the Swiss Confederation awards Government Excellence Scholarships to promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 other countries (including Australia, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu). The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are aimed at young researchers from abroad who have completed a master’s degree or PhD.

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is a non-profit institution affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC) Ministry of Education. CSC is responsible for the organisation, management and provision of financial resources for Chinese citizens studying abroad, and to international students studying in China.

See the website for further information: https://www.csc.edu.cn/

The Australia India Research Students Fellowship (AIRS Fellowship) program supports emerging researchers from India and Australia to undertake short-term research exchanges.

70 fellowships of up to  AUD $10,000 are available, with 35 awards available to applicants from higher education institutions in each country. The program is open to eligible research students and post-doctoral scholars (early-career researchers) across all disciplines.

https://arch-india.org/australia-india-research-students-fellowship-program

The Australia-France Network of Doctoral Excellence (AUFRANDE) is a unique PhD training program co-funded by the European Union and bringing together 37 research centres in France and Australia. Together, they will recruit and train 64 researchers who will be working on their unique research projects, benefitting of excellent working conditions including dual enrolment in doctoral programs in France and Australia, a competitive salary, a personalised supervision from experience researchers in their field, mentoring and support from over 40 non-academic partners, international experience and numerous networking opportunities.

https://aufrande.eu/

Website: https://www.atse.org.au/career-pathways/elevate/

Open to: Women or non-binary people, enrolling as a domestic student, who are planning to undertake a STEM degree or higher studies to improve business acumen at an Australian university, commencing in 2024.

Value: Varies

Opening date: Now Open

Closing date: 31 August 2023