If you’re a high-achieving international student dreaming of pursuing a fully funded research degree in Australia, the University of Canberra (UC) has just launched an exceptional opportunity for Spring 2026 intake — and it’s one of the most competitive in the country!
Each year, UC offers a limited number of University Research Scholarships to support outstanding researchers embarking on a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), such as a PhD. These scholarships are fiercely competitive — with fewer than 10% of applicants awarded in the last cycle — and selection is based on academic excellence, strategic alignment, research proposal quality, and research experience (including publications).
Available Scholarships
Here are the main scholarship types open for application:
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships
- University of Canberra HDR Stipend Scholarships (for both domestic and international students)
- Industry Co-funded Scholarships (for projects aligned with UC’s sustainability themes)
- Faculty-Managed Scholarships (listed on each faculty’s website).
Scholarship Benefits
The University of Canberra Research Scholarships offer a generous annual stipend of AUD $36,225 (tax-free, based on the 2025 rate) to support living expenses for full-time PhD candidates. In addition to the stipend, international students may be awarded a tuition fee sponsorship to cover the cost of their studies.
The scholarship is tenable for a duration of 3.5 years. Notably, for candidates approved to begin their research offshore, the stipend payments will commence once they arrive onshore at the University of Canberra’s Bruce campus, with the full amount back-paid from the approved start date.
Who Should Apply?
- International and domestic students meeting academic criteria.
- Applicants with First-Class Honours or a Master’s degree with a research component (min. 25%) scoring at least 80%.
- Indigenous Australian applicants.
- Current UC PhD candidates with less than 2 years in the program and who have passed confirmation of candidature.
- Applicants selected under the National Industry PhD Program – Industry Linked Stream.
Application Process
- Step 1: Apply for HDR admission via the https://www.canberra.edu.au/uc-research/graduate-research/university-research-scholarships.
- Step 2: Once your admission application is submitted, a separate form will appear for the University Research Scholarship application.
- Step 3: Current PhD students can log in to the portal to apply directly for scholarships.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit your application for a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarship at the University of Canberra for Semester 1, 2026 is 30 September 2025 (Ref).