Maxwell King PhD Scholarships 2027 Process Started at Monash University for International Researchers
For PhD applicants who already know that Australian research scholarships are fiercely competitive, the Maxwell King PhD Scholarship at Monash University is one of those awards worth treating as a serious target rather than a routine funding option.
The scholarship is open to international students as well as Australian and New Zealand applicants, and the current value is AUD 53,608 per year at the 2026 rate. Only two awards are offered each year: one for Humanities and Social Sciences and one for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Scholarship Quick Info Box
| Applicant Question | Maxwell King PhD Scholarship |
|---|---|
| University | Monash University, Australia |
| Degree level | PhD |
| International students | Eligible |
| Annual value | AUD 53,608 p.a. (2026 rate) |
| Number available | 2 per year |
| Disciplines | 1 HASS + 1 STEM |
| Main funding | Living allowance |
| Other support | Research allowance + possible relocation allowance |
| Selection basis | Academic excellence, research outputs and prior research experience |
| Separate scholarship selection | No specific scholarship needs to be chosen |
| Application platform | myApp Portal |
| Deadline | October 31 2026 for 2027 Intake |
What Does the Maxwell King Scholarship Actually Pay For?
The Maxwell King Scholarship is designed primarily to support a doctoral student’s living costs while undertaking a PhD at a Monash campus in Australia.
The award includes:
- A living allowance stipend;
- a research allowance; and
- a relocation allowance, where the applicant is eligible.
Monash lists the scholarship’s total annual value at AUD 53,608 based on the 2026 rate. Applicants should notice that the university describes this as a prestigious graduate research scholarship rather than simply a tuition discount. Its main purpose is to make full-time doctoral research financially viable.
Why Is Maxwell King Scholarship So Competitive?
Because only two scholarships are awarded each year. One is reserved for a candidate in Humanities and Social Sciences, while the second goes to a candidate in a STEM discipline.
Selection is based on academic excellence, research outputs and previous research experience. That means a high GPA alone is unlikely to tell the whole story. For applicants from overseas, the stronger profile is likely to be one that can show a combination of:
- Excellent previous academic performance;
- Clear research preparation;
- Relevant publications, conference work or other outputs where available;
- a strong fit with the proposed research area; and
- Convincing evidence that the applicant is ready for independent doctoral research.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. Monash explicitly includes international students among the eligible applicant categories, alongside Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holders. Applicants must also satisfy Monash’s competitive graduate scholarship selection requirements and the university’s English-language proficiency conditions.
The scholarship can also be available to applicants undertaking certain Joint Research Awards, provided Monash University is the home institution.
How Do You Apply? Follow These Steps
The process is simpler than many applicants expect because you do not normally submit a separate Maxwell King Scholarship form.
Use this sequence:
- Step 1 — Choose your Monash PhD research area.
Identify the graduate research program and research topic that best fits your academic background. - Step 2 — Check Monash’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Review the academic, research and English-language conditions before preparing the application. - Step 3 — Prepare your strongest research application.
Your academic record, research experience and research outputs matter because the scholarship is awarded competitively. - Step 4 — Submit your PhD and scholarship application through the myApp Portal.
Monash uses the same portal for graduate research admission and scholarship consideration. - Step 5 — Do not search for a separate “Maxwell King” checkbox.
Eligible applicants are automatically considered for available graduate research scholarships; applicants do not need to select this scholarship individually. - Step 6 — Make sure your application is in by October 31 2026.
A Useful Detail Many Applicants Miss
Monash says eligible applicants from Rounds 1 through 4 of the same year can automatically be considered for nomination in the October 31, 2026.
That matters because applicants do not necessarily have to wait until late October to start the PhD process. A strong candidate can submit earlier in the year and still remain in consideration for this particular scholarship when the relevant faculty evaluates candidates for the October round.
Why Should You Apply?
This scholarship is especially suitable for applicants who already have a strong research record, not merely good coursework grades.
With only two awards each year, Maxwell King is not the kind of scholarship where minimum eligibility should be mistaken for realistic competitiveness. Applicants with research publications, substantial thesis work, strong recommendations and a clearly aligned Monash research project are likely to present the more convincing cases.
The current scholarship value is AUD 53,608 per year, and the application deadline is October 31 each year.
If you are unsure about your research profile, academic eligibility, publications, English requirement, supervisor fit or whether your subject falls under HASS or STEM, leave your question in the comments below this article. Mention your degree background and proposed PhD area so the issue can be discussed in practical applicant terms.