Externally funded scholarships and grants

Areas of study: natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities

Branco Weiss, a renowned Swiss entrepreneur and supporter of science, has dedicated nearly his entire fortune to supporting exceptional postdoctoral researchers with a generous five year grant. Since 2002, the Branco Weiss fellowship – Society in Science has supported more than 150 early-career researchers.

Fellows are free to carry out their projects at any academic institution worldwide, allowing them to choose the environment that best suits their research needs. We welcome applications from a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.

The global application process for this prestigious fellowship has just opened, with a deadline of 15 January 2025.

See more information about Branco Weiss fellowship, selection criteria and how to apply.

Areas of study: engineering, science

CSIRO’s scholarship program provides full award and/or top up scholarship opportunities in science and engineering for outstanding graduates enrolled in Australian tertiary institutions.

See more information about CSIRO’s postgraduate studentships, selection criteria and how to apply.

Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds awards PhD fellowships to outstanding junior scientists who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.

• travel grants to junior researchers who are currently conducting an experimental project in basic biomedical research and wish to pursue a short-term research stay or attend a practical course of up to three months.

See more information about Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds scholarships and grants, selection criteria and how to apply.

Area of study: animal welfare

Every year, RSPCA Australia offers three scholarships to encourage students to take an active interest in animal welfare issues, to support animal welfare research that might not otherwise attract funding, and to promote the objectives of the RSPCA within the research community.

See more information about RSPCA Australia scholarships, selection criteria and how to apply.

Area of study: psychological sciences

The Allison Milner memorial PhD scholarship was established by MATES in Construction to honour the legacy of Associate Professor Allison Milner. This scholarship funds PhD research that addresses suicide prevention initiatives in male dominated, blue collar industries within Australia.

See more information about the Allison Milner memorial PhD scholarship, selection criteria and how to apply.

Areas of study: environment, social, governance, general or data analytics

State Super is excited to announce we are relaunching our scholarship program with a renewed focus on ESG and Responsible Investment issues for 2025. We are able to provide valuable financial support to successful applicants through the State Super ESG for Impact scholarship.

See more information about State Super ESG for Impact scholarship, including selection criteria and how to apply.

The National Library of Australia’s fellowship and scholarship programs offer opportunities for researchers, writers, artists and PhD candidates to engage with their collections.

The Elevate program provides a generous scholarship with access to events and networking, mentoring and ongoing support during your university studies.

Applicants must be a domestic student identified as a woman or non-binary person commencing in 2025.

Valued at $25,000, the fellowship will help PhD students to achieve their career goals, by providing direct financial support and professional development opportunities. Fellowship holders will receive an annual bursary for two years and financial support to participate in ACSPRI courses and events. Applications close on 30 September 2024. Follow this link for further details on how to apply and to make an application.

Please contact info@acspri.org.au if you have any questions about the ACSPRI Fellowship Program, and any of our other Scholarships and how to apply.

Area of study: various

Each year the Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS) supports the research of up to five students by the provision of Student Awards.  Awards may not be used to fund conference attendance or travel not related to field studies.

Applications open each year between January and mid-February.

See more information about Australian Coral Reef Society Grants, selection criteria and how to apply.

The Office of Responsible Gambling invites applications for the 2025 Gambling Research Capacity Grants program.

Gambling Research Capacity Grants aim to improve the quality, diversity and impact of Australian gambling research by supporting talented and committed researchers.

In 2025, the Responsible Gambling Fund is offering two PhD scholarships and a post-doctoral fellowship:

• each PhD scholarship is for up to $60,000 per annum for three years. Top-up scholarships of up to $30,000 per annum will be considered for students receiving other stipend funding, such as Commonwealth Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships.
• the post-doctoral fellowship is for up to $160,000 per annum for three years.

Learn more about the program. The Gambling Research Capacity Grants 2025 submission guide includes information about priority research areas, eligibility criteria and how to apply, as well as our frequently asked questions.

The Heart Foundation research funding programs support and develop excellence in cardiovascular research (including stroke research), from bench to bedside and beyond.

The Heart Foundation funds innovative and world-class research programs, exploring issues related to cardiovascular disease in the areas of biomedical, clinical, public health and health services.

There are opportunities for individual researchers and projects that support their goal to prevent heart disease, improve heart health and enhance the quality of life of all people in Australia. Learn more about available research funding.

Area of study: science

Australian Academy of Science grants and exchange programs are designed to help promote and strengthen long-term relationships and increase Australia’s presence and influence at the international level. The grants and exchange programs are offered to higher degree research students undertaking science research.

See more information about Australian Academy of Science grants, selection criteria and how to apply.

Area of study: nuclear science

AINSE offers awards for postgraduate students whose research projects are associated with nuclear science, or its applications, and require access to the unique national facilities at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

Postgraduate research awards applications are particularly encouraged in fields which are related to the research activities at ANSTO.

See more information about AINSE postgraduate research awards, selection criteria and how to apply.

Area of study: all disciplines

The Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme is a joint initiative of Universities Australia and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany’s national agency for the support of international academic cooperation.

Scholarship applications are open to all faculties, with researchers from the Humanities and Social Sciences encouraged to apply. Interested MRes, MPhil and PhD candidates are encouraged to speak to their supervisors about submitting an expression of interest.

Learn more about the Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme, including selection criteria and how to apply.

Note: applications may only be submitted through Macquarie University Research Services.

Other DAAD-funded scholarship opportunities:

• the  DAAD’s extensive scholarship database for students, graduates and academics offers applicants a wide range of tips and information to help them successfully apply for a scholarship for a course of study, a research assignment or a teaching assignment in Germany.
• the DAAD Sydney information centre provides contact details for Australians looking for information and also lists the funding and scholarship opportunities.

The Clare Burton Memorial Scholarship was established to honour and continue the work of Dr Clare Burton, a leading researcher, public sector administrator, academic, consultant and writer on employment equity. The gift aims to helps students complete research in women and equality in all spheres of endeavour including (but not limited to) employment, education, health, communications, engineering, and science.

If you are a current research student pursuing research where the major piece of work is focussed on gender equity, and you have completed at least the first milestone of your research degree you may be eligible to apply. The student will receive a $10,000 one-off payment as a research allowance.

Area of study: all disciplines

The Indigenous Scholarships Portal showcases scholarship funding available for Indigenous Australians in higher degree research, including various scholarships available to undertake research in a wide range of fields, both within Australia and overseas.

Search the Indigenous Scholarships Portal.

Area of study: all disciplines

*Research Professional is an online database of research funding opportunities and a source of international research policy and practice news. As a member of a subscribing institution, you are free to browse the content of the site, create customised searches of its content, and share this information with colleagues.

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