CEVAW PhD Scholarships 2026 at Macquarie University

Macquarie University, through its Centre of Critical Indigenous Studies, is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship under the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, known as CEVAW. This is not a generic research grant attached to a broad theme. It is a targeted, purpose-built funding package designed to support anti-colonial, Indigenous-centred scholarship focused specifically on gender-based violence affecting Indigenous peoples and communities in Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

The scholarship places you inside a world-first research centre, under the mentorship of Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson, one of Australia’s most recognized scholars in Critical Indigenous Studies, and connects you to a network of over 40 leading researchers, partner organisations, and policy institutions working toward a single, measurable goal: the elimination of violence against women.

The Full Financial Picture: What This Scholarship Actually Puts in Your Pocket

This scholarship is structured to remove financial pressure so that doctoral candidates can focus entirely on their research without worrying about tuition or living costs. It is one of the more substantial PhD funding packages available to domestic students in the Australian humanities and social sciences space.

• The base living allowance stipend is AUD $39,700 per annum, paid at the full-time indexed rate for the standard three-year PhD duration.
• Indigenous candidates receive an additional top-up scholarship of AUD $12,000 per annum, bringing their total annual stipend to AUD $51,700, one of the highest stipend values available for a domestic PhD scholarship in this field.
• The scholarship also includes a tuition fee offset, meaning your PhD course fees are covered separately on top of the living allowance.
• The stipend is indexed, meaning it is adjusted over time in line with standard rates, offering some protection against cost-of-living increases across the three-year candidature.
• The number of scholarships available under this call has not been publicly specified, meaning competitive assessment applies and early, well-prepared applications carry an advantage.

Who Can Apply: Laying Out the Eligibility Ground Rules

This scholarship is available exclusively to domestic candidates, and the research focus is specific, so it is worth reading the eligibility requirements carefully before preparing your application.

• You must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand to qualify as a domestic candidate.
• You must be eligible to undertake a direct-entry, three-year PhD program at Macquarie University.
• Your proposed research must align with the Indigenous workstreams of CEVAW, specifically focusing on gender-based violence in relation to Indigenous peoples and communities.
• The scholarship is administered through the Centre of Critical Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University, so your application must be directed to and assessed within that academic unit.
• The enrolled degree must be at the PhD level; no other study levels are considered under this scholarship.
• Indigenous candidates who meet the above criteria are additionally eligible for the AUD $12,000 per annum top-up, which is applied automatically alongside the base stipend.

Getting Your Application Across the Line: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for this scholarship requires both academic preparation and direct engagement with the research team, and starting early gives you the best chance of submitting a competitive application.

Step 1 – Check your eligibility. Before preparing any documents, confirm that you meet the domestic candidature requirements and that your proposed research aligns with CEVAW’s Indigenous gender-based violence workstreams. A misaligned research proposal is the most common reason strong candidates are not progressed.

Step 2 – Reach out to the research team. Contact Dr Tamika Worrell, Director of Research Training in the Centre of Critical Indigenous Studies, at [email protected] for guidance on submitting your application. This step is not optional formality; engaging with the team early helps you refine your research proposal to fit the centre’s priorities.

Step 3 – Prepare your research proposal. Your proposal should clearly articulate how your planned doctoral research contributes to anti-colonial scholarship and addresses gender-based violence in Indigenous contexts. Demonstrating familiarity with CEVAW’s research framework will strengthen your application considerably.

Step 4 – Submit your application through Macquarie University. Follow the official Macquarie University PhD application process, ensuring all required documents including academic transcripts, your research proposal, and any supporting materials are submitted correctly and in full before the closing date.

Step 5 – Contact Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson for further information. For academic or research-specific enquiries, Professor Carlson can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 0448 833 413.

When the Window Closes: Your Application Deadline

Applications for the CEVAW PhD Project Scholarship at Macquarie University close on 30 April 2026.