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Research Scholarships

The University of Canberra offers a number of University Research Scholarships to enable suitably qualified candidates to undertake full-time study towards a Higher Degree by Research. Selection is based on academic merit, strategic alignment, research proposal, research experience and priority groups.

Graduate Research manages the application process for domestic and international applicants and the administration for the tenure of the scholarship. The University Research Scholarship Committee allocates the University Research Scholarships for Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships and UC Higher Degree by Research Stipend Scholarships for domestic and international applicants.

How to Apply?

  • Potential PhD domestic and international candidates must apply through the HDR Application Portal – you need to apply for HDR Admission first, you will then have access to a separate application form that must be submitted for a Research Scholarship.
  • Current PhD candidates* at the University of Canberra can also apply for a Research Scholarship. You must complete a Research Scholarship application via the HDR Application Portal.

* Preference will be given to PhD candidates who have successfully achieved Confirmation of Candidature and have completed no more than two years of candidature EFT.

Closing date

Refer to theLink to important UC dates to review relevant dates. Please use the selection box to select Higher Degree by Research students.

What Scholarships are Available at UC?

University Research Scholarships

The following University Research Scholarships are available for commencement in line with semester commencements:

  • Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships
  • UC Higher Degree by Research Stipend Scholarships for domestic and international applicants

Industry Co-funded Scholarships

The University has a range of industry co-funded scholarships for research projects with external organisations and end-users (industry, business, government, community):

  • Industry co-funded industry scholarships may be available for those conducting research that aligns with the strategic theme of the University - Economic, Environmental and Social Sustainability

Contact your potential supervisor or Faculty HDR Administrator to find out if any scholarships are available in your research area.

Faculty-Managed and Other Research Scholarships

Information on specific research scholarships offered by faculties, the application process and closing dates can be found on Faculty-managed and Other Scholarships webpage.

University Research Scholarships Conditions

Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships, funded by the federal government, and the University of Canberra Higher Degree by Research (UC HDR) Stipend Scholarship provide support to postgraduate research students of exceptional research promise.

For detailed information and conditions of award please see the University;

Eligibility

  • domestic student (Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen) or international student
  • not have previously held an Australian-Government-funded research scholarship for more than 6 months.

Funding

Specific to Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships and UC Higher Degree by Research Stipend Scholarships for domestic and international applicants.

  • $35,000 per annum (2024 rate, tax-free) stipend to assist with living costs.
  • International candidates approved to commence offshore will not be paid their stipend scholarship until they are able to undertake their research onshore. The stipend will be back paid once they arrive at the University of Canberra, Bruce campus.
  • Refer to Tax and Part-time Scholarships for more information. International candidates may also be awarded a tuition fee sponsorship to cover tuition fees.

Duration

  • 3.5 years

Priority Groups

For the allocation of scholarships, the following applicants will be given priority:

  • Applicants approved for admission to PhD with an Australian First-Class Honours result, or qualification or Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) considered by the University to be equivalent (e.g. Master by coursework with a research project of at least 25% of the course with a result of at least 80).
  • Current PhD candidates who have successfully achieved Confirmation of Candidature and have completed less than two years of candidature (EFT) at  the commencement of the semester.
  • Applicants identified and approved for the National Industry PhD Program – Industry Linked stream.
  • Indigenous Australian applicants approved for admission to a PhD.
  • At least one scholarship allocated to each of the following areas: Health; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); and Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS).

In addition, at least 20% of scholarships will be awarded to applicants who have received First-Class Honours, and at least 20% to applicants who have received a Master by Coursework with a result of at least 80.

Scholarship Application Ranking Process

  1. Scholarship applications are assessed for completion and eligibility for admission to the PhD.
  2. They are then forwarded onto to the appropriate faculties for academic staff to assess and rank applicants in an order of merit based on academic qualifications, strategic alignment, research proposal and research experience.
  3. The University Research Scholarship Committee reviews the faculties’ ranking, and allocates the University Research Scholarships to the highest ranked applicants in Order of Merit.

For more information refer to the HDR Scholarship Application and Assessment Procedures.