If you’ve ever dreamed of shaping the future of cyber security while training inside one of the world’s most advanced scientific ecosystems, the David Irvine Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 might be the life-changing opportunity you were waiting for. Announced by CSIRO’s Data61, this prestigious scholarship is designed to honour the legacy of the late David Irvine AO—a visionary leader behind Australia’s Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC). For ambitious scholars ready to tackle real-world cyber threats, this program offers more than funding—it offers a career-defining path into Australia’s national science agency.
A Powerful Funding Package for Cyber Security Researchers
The David Irvine Scholarship provides generous financial support for PhD and MPhil students undertaking CSIRO-aligned research projects at CSCRC Participant Universities. Scholars may receive either a full scholarship or a top-up scholarship, making it one of the most attractive postgraduate funding options in Australia.
| Category | Year | Amount (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| PhD – Full Scholarship | 2026 | $44,000 |
| 2027 | $45,000 | |
| 2028 | $46,000 | |
| 2029 | $23,000 | |
| MPhil – Full Scholarship | 2026 | $44,000 |
| 2027 | $45,000 | |
| Top-Up Scholarship | 2026 | $10,000 |
| 2027 | $10,000 | |
| 2028 | $10,000 | |
| 2029 | $5,000 | |
| PhD Training Allowance | Over Scholarship Duration | $7,000 (distributed annually) |
| MPhil Training Allowance | Over Scholarship Duration | $5,000 (distributed annually) |
Along with financial benefits, scholars gain access to CSIRO’s world-class research facilities, specialized coaching, advanced equipment, and a collaborative environment designed to nurture cyber leaders of the future.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Hold First Class Honours or equivalent in Cyber Security, Computer Science, or Artificial Intelligence.
- Be admitted into a full-time PhD or MPhil program at one of the CSCRC Participant Universities:
Edith Cowan University, University of Adelaide, Deakin University, UNSW, Charles Sturt University, or Queensland University of Technology. - Be within 12 months of starting their PhD or within 6 months of starting their MPhil.
- Be international or domestic students already residing in Australia with appropriate visas (for international applicants).
- Receive a tuition fee waiver from the university.
- Have at least one confirmed university supervisor.
- Meet security and character clearance requirements including police checks.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
Applicants must submit:
- Resume/CV + Cover Letter (combined in one document).
- Official academic transcripts demonstrating First Class Honours or equivalent.
- The online MS Form for the David Irvine Scholarship, which includes a project concept proposal.
Your proposal must align with one of CSIRO’s major cyber research themes, including resilient systems, IoT security, next-generation authentication, cyber threat investigation, privacy-preserving technologies, or cybersecurity automation.
Clearly outline your research problem, methodology, and expected impact on critical technologies or infrastructure.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the David Irvine Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 is 12 January 2026 at 11:00 PM AEDT.