Research degree scholarships and other financial support opportunities listed here are available to Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Australia. Where a year is not listed, the same date applies every year.
All living allowance scholarships are associated with a research project, usually for full-time students. When applying to do a research degree, you will need to apply for a project (and associated scholarship if applicable) as listed on the research projects page. Applications for research projects and associated scholarships are made as part of the online application process.
University-wide scholarships
| Scholarship name | Eligibility | Value | How to apply | Key dates and information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Research Training Program domestic (RTPd) Scholarships
|
These scholarships are aligned to specific projects. Applicants for all projects are competitively assessed and selected on information provided in the application and any interview that may occur. | At least $29,863 (2023 base rate) Scholarship benefits and conditions (PDF file 447kb) |
How to apply guide |
Scholarships are associated with a research project, and you apply for a scholarship when you apply for a research project. New projects are listed all year round and closing dates are project specific.
Enterprise Research Scholarships are also available for International Students (where applicable). Please see the International student scholarship page for further information. |
|
| Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship (AERS) | Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants |
Maximum RTP rate of $46,653 per annum (2023 rate) Scholarship benefits and conditions (PDF file 447kb) |
Please contact us for more information. |
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Note: Other available research degree scholarships administered by the University of South Australia can be found here
Area-specific scholarships and projects at UniSA
| Scholarship name | Area of research | Value | How to apply | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner Scholarship | Fine arts, science, medicine and law | 10% above the current RTP rate | Please contact us for more information. | Please contact us for more information. |
|
Engineering |
$32‚000 per year for 3 years, plus an additional one of amount of $3,000 for research expenses. |
Applications are currently closed. Please contact us for more information. |
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| UniSA Connect Outreach Scholarship
|
Education, science communications |
$28,854 per year for 3 years |
6 November |
Note: Other available research degree scholarships administered by the University of South Australia can be found here
Other funding opportunities
See also High achiever scholarships
| Funding opportunities | Area of research | Value | How to apply | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AgriFutures Gary Sansom Scholarship | Agriculture - in relation to the production of chicken meat in Australia | $35,000 | External | Check the AgriFutures website. |
| APRIntern: PhD Industry Internships | Industry experience for 3-6 months to kickstart your career. The program has an emphasis on encouraging underrepresented people in STEM, such as women, regional, indigenous and disadvanted PhD students | $3,000 | External | Check the APRIntern website |
| ATA Scientific Encouragement Award | Life, Material, Chemical or Environmental Sciences | $1,500 for the winner. 2 runner up awards of $600 are also available. | External | July |
| Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust: Scholarships | Cystic fibrosis (CF) related research | $15,000 across 3 years | External | May |
| Australian Building Codes Board Research Scholarship | Building regulations in Australia | Up to $5,000 for 1 year | External | Any time |
| Australian Federation of Graduate Women | Various | Various, for example accommodation expenses | External | Check Australian Federation of Graduate Women Inc. website |
| Australian Federation of Graduate Women: Canberra Accommodation Bursary | Women who wish to carry out a short research project, in any field, which would benefit from a short stay in Canberra | Four week accommodation bursary | More info and application form | Check Australian Federation of Graduate Women Inc. website |
| Australian Grape and Wine Authority Travel Bursaries | Various | Funding to support travel, study tours or conference attendance | External | First Friday in April and first Friday in October |
| Australian Nurse Teachers Society (ANTS): Research Scholarships | Available to ANTS members to attend conferences which are relevant to nurse teachers | $1,000 | External | January, April, July & October |
| Australian Rotary Health: PhD Scholarships in Health Research |
Rural Mens' Mental Health, depression, youth suicide |
$30,000 maximum | External | October |
| Australian Rotary Health: Funding Partner PhD Scholarships EOIs | Rural Mens' Mental Health, depression, youth suicide | $29,000 per annum reviewed after 12 months (for up to 3.5 years) | External | February, June & October |
| Australian Society of Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy: Research Scholarships | Diagnostic radiography & Radiation therapy | $10,000 maximum | External | Check the ASMIRT website |
| Bushfire CRC | Fire behaviour, management of fire in the landscape, social and economic aspects of bushfire in Australia and New Zealand | Check the website | External | Check the website |
| Cambridge Australia UK PhD Scholarships | Cambridge Australia Scholarships offers scholarships for Australian graduates of outstanding academic merit to study for a PhD degree at the University of Cambridge | UK£10,550 per annum | External | November (internal) & December (external) |
| Capstone Editing: Grant for Professional Thesis Editing | Free thesis editing for one Masters student and one PhD student per year | N/A | External | September |
| Clare Burton Scholarship | Gender equity | $10,000 research funding along with individual support and mentoring. | External | October |
| CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships | CSIRO priority research areas | Various scholarships available | Check CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships website | Refer website |
| The Data Incubator: Data Science Fellowship | Data science: 8-week fellowship (think data science bootcamp) for PhDs looking to enter industry | N/A | External | November |
| Dementia Australia Research Foundation: PhD Scholarships | Dementia research - the award aims to build capacity in dementia research by encouraging medical practitioners, nurses & allied health professionals to develop ideas that will ultimately improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their carers & families | $30,000 per annum for up to three years | External | August |
| Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarships and Fellowships (for domestic students) | Various | Various awards | Check the Endeavour website | Check the Endeavour website |
| Foundation for Australian Studies in China: BHP Australia China Scholarship | Agriculture, animal studies, food science and veterinary science; Commerce, economics and management; Environment and natural resources; Law, legal studies and criminology; Medicine, dentistry, health and welfare | up to $180,000 - 5 scholarships available | N/A | For enquiries, contact info@fasic.org.au |
| Fulbright: PhD Postgrad Scholarship | Fulbright provides unique opportunities for Australians to build long term research collaboration and linkages with U.S. universities. | AUD $40,000 | External | Applications are currently closed and will re-open in 2021 |
| Gates Cambridge UK: PhD Scholarships | Full-cost scholarship awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge | N/A | External | November |
| German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Research Grants | Various | €750 – €1000 per month, plus additional benefits | External | 31 October |
| Healthy Development Adelaide and Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation PhD Excellence Award | Various | $5,000 per annum for up to 3 years only to augment an Australian Postgraduate Award or equivalent competitive scholarship | More info and application form | 20 January |
| Heart Foundation: Australian Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Awards | Cardiovascular health - projects are expected to produce tangible outcomes with the potential for creating high-impact change in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cardiovascular health research community. | Between $2,500 - $150,000 depending on category applied for | External | May |
| Heart Foundation: Health Professionals Scholarships | Any area of cardiovascular research, including biomedical, clinical, public health and health services. |
Up to $40,000 pro rata per annum | External | May |
| International Research Scholarship on Primary Snoring | Various | USD $1,000 | External | 31 July |
| JDRF: PhD Top up Scholarships | Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) | $6,000 | External | April |
| Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Australia: PhD top up Scholarships | Biomedical or public health research in motor neurone disease | $5,000 per annum stipend for the PhD candidate (and $5,000 per annum project costs for the Principal Supervisor) | External | January 2021 |
| MOVE muscle, bone & joint health PhD Scholarship in Musculoskeletal Health | Musculoskeletal (MSK) health | $30,000 per annum for three years | External | September |
| MS Research Australia: Postgrad Scholarship | The research proposed must contribute to finding a cure for MS, result in improvements to treatments or provide for greater ability to assist those people living with MS. | $20,000 - $30,000 per annum for up to three years | External | July |
| National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC): Postgrad Scholarship | The NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships scheme funds successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Masters Degree) | See NHMRC website for funding details | External | See NHMRC website for details |
| National Suicide Prevention Research Fund: PhD Scholarships | The Scholarship supports research relevant to all aspects of suicide prevention and to develop a capacity for original independent research within Australia. | $105,000 over three years | External | N/A |
| Nature Foundation SA: Grand Start Grants Program | Conservation of South Australia’s biodiversity & habitats | $3,000 per annum for a maximum of 3 years | External | N/A |
| Nature Foundation SA: Roy & Marjory Edwards Scholarship | Conservation of South Australia’s biodiversity & habitats. They prioritise grants that align with their Science Strategy and focus on our nature reserves and the conservation program Water For Nature | $12,000 per annum for a maximum of 3 years | External | N/A |
| Nicholas Baudin: Internships in France Initiative | Various - research internship | Minimum of €554 per month + daily costs covered by home University + return flights from Australia to France | External | June |
| Playford Trust PhD Scholarships | Agriculture (especially horticulture and aquaculture); water, energy and climate change; advanced manufacturing and new technologies; mining and resources development | More info | External | Check Playford Trust website |
| Playford Trust Defence Science and Technology Group | Science and technology support for the Australian Defence Force | $10,000 per annum for 3.5 years | External | Check Playford Trust website |
| Postgraduate Top-Up Scholarship for Batten Disease Support & Research | Batten Disease | $5,000 per annum | External | Not specified |
| Rhodes Scholarships | Various - postgrad scholarship | Scholarship covers all University fees, health insurance, return airfare + stipend of £14,700 per annum (2018 rate) | External | September |
| Sir John Monash Scholarships | Various - to consider applying, a candidate and their referees should believe they have demonstrated excellence in their university degree, together with the ability to lead in the private or public sector | $70,000 pa for 3 years | External | Applications are currently closed and will re-open in 2021 |
| Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Research Scholarship | Allied health sciences, engineering, law, medicine | Up to $80,000 over two years | External | Check Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Research Scholarship website |
| Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund Scholarships | Science of aeronautics; preference will be given to South Australians | Not specified | External | March, June, September & December |
| Sport-based PhD Scholarship Program | National sports programs | Varying length and remuneration level | External | Check AIS website |
| Taiwan Fellowship | Social sciences, including Taiwan studies, cross-strait studies, China studies, Asia Pacific studies, and sinology | NT$50,000 stipend each month | External | Not specified |
| Techtyche Digital Media Scholarship | Digital media | $1,000 USD | External | 31 December |
| Water Research Australia scholarships | Water resources | Various | External | 31 October |
| Data61 PhD Scholarship | Various | Various Scholarships available | Check Data61 website for more details | Varies. Check the Data61 website for more details |
| The Hospital Research Foundation | Clinical and scientific medical research | Various Scholarships available | More info | Check the website |
| Scholarships with The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre | Public health, social science, health policy, evidence synthesis or health communication | Various Scholarships available | More info | Check the website |
| Brian Gray Scholarship program | finance, economics, actuarial science, econometrics, statistics | $15,000 | More info | More info |
| The Australian Federation of University Women scholarship | Various | $5000 for PhD candidates $3000 for Master of Research candidates |
More info | Check Australian Federation of University Women website |
| Postgraduate Research Award (PGRA) | Various | $7,500 per annum | More info | Applications open: 1 February 2021 Applications close: 15 April 2021 |
| Residential Student Scholarship (RSS) | Various | $7,500 stipend and $5,000 travel support per annum | More info | Check the RSS website |
| Early Career Researcher Grant (ECRG) | Various | $10,000 | More info | Check the AINSE website |
| AINSE Supported Facilities (ASF) | Various | $5,000 | More info | Check the AINSE website |
| International Conference Travel | Various | $1000 | More info | Year-round |
| APPEA Scholarships |
geology, safety, engineering, economics, law or environmental management, petroleum engineering or geoscience |
$3000 | More info | Refer to website |
| AsuIMM Scholarships |
Mineral industry |
Refer to website | More info | Refer to website |
| BiGold 88 Endowment | Economic geology and mineral economics | Refer to website | More info | Refer to website |
