Scholarships for research students

A range of scholarships are available for postgraduate students undertaking a higher degree by research. A scholarship provides financial assistance to support you while you study. Some scholarships provide a stipend that covers fees and living allowances, while others only provide partial funding.

Scholarships are usually provided for two years for a Masters by Research degree, and three years for a doctoral program, although previous study credited towards the award will be deducted from the scholarship.

Eligibility for scholarships varies depending on the scholarship, and whether you are an Australian student (defined as an Australian citizen/permanent resident) or an international student.

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships (incorporating Australian Postgraduate Award) - 2013 stipend rate: $30,000 per annum
Australian Postgraduate Awards - 2013 stipend rate: $24,653 per annum
VU Postgraduate Research Scholarships - 2013 stipend rate: $24,653 per annum
VU Postgraduate Research Diversity Scholarships - 2013 stipend rate: $24,653 per annum

We offer the following scholarships for International students:

International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (incorporating APA) - 2013 stipend rate: $24,653 per annum
VU Postgraduate Research Scholarships - 2013 stipend rate: $24,653 per annum

Applications are ranked on the basis of merit with preference given to students undertaking research projects in our research focus areas.

Other research scholarships

Colleges, Research Centres and Institutes also offer scholarships. These scholarships are announced on the VU website and the Joint Academic Scholarships Online Database (JASON) as they become available. In some cases these scholarships are tied to specific research projects. Others are funded through the Australian Postgraduate Award Industry program, or by a VU industry partner organisation.

Scholarship rounds

Applications for scholarships are currently closed, and will reopen in 2013.

VU usually offers two scholarship rounds per year. The main VU scholarship round for Australian and international applicants opens in August and closes in October each year. The mid-year scholarship round opens in April and closes in May each year.

For more information and tips on how to apply, please download the 2013 Scholarship Guide for Local Students or the 2013 Scholarship Guide for International Students.

External scholarships

There are many external scholarships available at VU. Some provide opportunities for VU research students to undertake part of their research program at another university. You can search for a scholarship using the Joint Academic Scholarships Online Database (JASON). JASON is a postgraduate scholarship search engine for Australian students wanting to study in Australia or overseas, and international students wanting to study in Australia.

Endeavour Awards

Endeavour Awards are internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships for Australian and international students from the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe and the Americas. For Australian students the awards provide opportunities for high-achieving students, researchers and professionals to undertake study, research and professional development in a broad range of disciplines in participating countries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East. International students can use an Endeavour Award to study at a Masters or PhD level by coursework or research in any field in Australia.

German Academic Exchange Service - Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)

The German Academic Exchange Service is offering scholarships and funding programs for postgraduate students and academics in Australia in all fields of science, humanities, music and art. The aim of the program is to promote relations between higher education institutions in Germany and abroad through the exchange of students, academics and scientists. See DAAD Scholarships and Funding Programs for Australia for full details on eligibility, selection, conditions and benefits of the program.

Other external scholarships

VU International (VUI) has arrangements with a number of scholarship programs in other countries which support participation in a PhD or Masters by research at VU. Contact Victoria University International for further information or see International students.

Funding to present a paper at a conference

The Secomb Conference and Travel Fund assists postgraduate research students attend conferences to present a research paper in Victoria, interstate or overseas.

You can apply for up to one-third of the cost of travel and conference registration fees if, at the time you submit your application and on the date the conference occurs you:

are enrolled in a PhD, Masters by Research or the research component of a research Professional Doctorate at VU
have satisfactorily completed at least six months of full time enrolment (or its equivalent) from the date your candidature is approved
are attending the conference for the purpose of delivering a research paper by oral presentation (poster presentations will not receive funding)
Applications for funding must be submitted and approved before you attend the conference (retrospective applications will not be considered).

You must submit your Application Form for Secomb Conference and Travel Fund to the head of your College, Institute or Research Centre.

The application form provides full details on the conditions of the grant and how to apply.