Research-focus outlines for research degrees

Explore our diverse range of research-focus outlines, designed to showcase VU’s areas of research expertise. 

Aligning your application with one of these outlines can strengthen your chances of being accepted into a research program and increase your eligibility for a scholarship.

If you’re applying for a Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship to support your PhD studies, you must review the available research-focus outlines and select one that closely matches your research interests and experience. New research-focus outlines will be added before applications open on 27 July 2026. 

Explore our research outlines

School girls with VR equipment on
Innovating education & future-proofing Australia's workforce
Explore the research-focus outlines related to curriculum and pedagogy; education systems; information systems; psychology; public health; specialist studies in education; and strategy, management and organisational behaviour.
Three players in the VU Vultures womens basketball team smile at the camera, courtside at UniSport Nationals 2024
Sport for performance, community participation & healthy living
Explore the research-focus outlines related to sports science and exercise; sport history, culture and sociology; and medical physiology.
Health & wellbeing solutions
Explore research outlines related to AI developments in health; biochemistry and cell biology; biomedical engineering; clinical sciences; health services and systems; medical physiology; neurosciences; nutrition and dietetics; nursing; public health; psychology; sports science and exercise; and strategy, management and organisational behaviour.
Dr Mario Peucker with community members
Transforming communities through policy, practice & governance
Explore the research-focus outlines related to accounting; artificial intelligence; criminology; economics; education policy; history; information systems; psychology; sociology; and strategy, management and organisational behaviour.
Smart, sustainable & liveable cities
Explore research outlines related to accounting; Artificial Intelligence; building; built environment and design; engineering; food sciences; and transportation, logistics and supply chain.
'By community, for community’ First Nations Knowledge
Explore research-focus outlines related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and history; and social and personality psychology.

How to apply for a Research Stipend Scholarship

Applications for Research Period 1 2027 will open on 27 July 2026.