Swinburne Research Stipend Scholarships

Swinburne Research Stipend scholarships are awarded to candidates of exceptional research potential undertaking doctoral studies.  The awards are provided to assist with general living costs.  

Successful scholarship applicants are automatically awarded a RTP Fees-Offset (Domestic) Scholarship (domestic students) or a Tuition Fee Scholarship (international students) which covers tuition fees for up to four years.

Research scholarships are available by application to both future and current students enrolled in or applying for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Professional Doctorate course at Swinburne.

In 2026, two types of research scholarships are available for application:

• Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Award (SUPRA)
• Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTPS)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Professional Doctorate

In 2026, applications are being considered from domestic students and international students who:

• meet the entry requirements for a PhD or Professional Doctorate as set out for their proposed program at Swinburne
• hold a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent)
• propose a research project that aligns with a Swinburne Research Strategy and Ecosystem area
• would not be receiving income from another source to support their general living costs while undertaking their course of study if that income is greater than 75 per cent of that student’s scholarship stipend rate. Income unrelated to the student’s course of study or income received for the student’s course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs is not to be taken into account

Applicants should ensure that they meet one of the following criteria:

• are applying for entry into a PhD or Professional Doctorate
• are currently enrolled in a Swinburne PhD or Professional Doctorate for less than two years at the closing date of the application round
• have received an offer for candidature for a Swinburne PhD or Professional Doctorate and have not yet enrolled

The competitive assessment process may take into the account the following:

• candidature and scholarship eligibility requirements
• advertised selection criteria for the round
• quality and alignment of research proposal with Swinburne Research Strategy and Ecosystem
• previous academic achievement
• referee reports
• research and publication experience relative to opportunity
• relevant work experience
• quality of the supervisory team

• Annual stipend $35,500 (indexed) (2026 rate) for three years (with possible 6 month extension)
• Tuition fees for up to four years
• Paid leave of absence, thesis allowance, relocation allowance

Swinburne Research Scholarships are open for application during two scholarship rounds:

• Round 1 opens Monday 23 March 2026, 9.00am AEDT
• Round 1 closes Friday 8 May 2026 11.59pm AEST
• Round 2 opens Monday 7 September 2026, 9.00am AEST
• Round 2 closes Friday 9 October 2026, 11.59pm AEDT

Applicants applying for a research scholarship are automatically considered for both SUPRA and RTPS scholarships – they do not have to nominate one of these scholarships. 

Applications must be submitted by the closing date of the scholarship round to be considered for a Swinburne Research Scholarship.

Application Outcomes

Application outcomes are anticipated to be sent progressively commencing on:

• Round 1 – Wednesday 8 July 2026
• Round 2 – Wednesday 2 December 2026

Enrolment

Domestic students successful in receiving a scholarship offer must enrol by:

• Round 1 offer – Friday 30 October 2026
• Round 2 offer – Friday 26 February 2027

International students successful in receiving a scholarship offer must enrol by:

• Round 1 offer – Friday 26 February 2027
• Round 2 offer – Tuesday 29 June 2027

How to apply

Applicants must apply and submit their application when a scholarship round is open. 

Prior to submitting an application, applicants are encouraged to liaise with their nominated research supervisor to seek support for their project and research scholarship application.  They must work with their supervisor to complete a Swinburne HDR Research Proposal template*.

*Applicants for Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) are required to complete sections A, B & C only in the HDR Research Proposal template. After interview, supervisors will work with selected applicants to complete section D.

Prospective (new) students:

Please follow the step-by-step application process.  

When completing your online application, at the Select a Scholarship option, you must select Swinburne Research Scholarships.

Please ensure you attach the following supporting documentation to your application.  

• Completed HDR Research Proposal template signed by your nominated Principal Supervisor
• Certified academic transcripts and evidence of completion
• Proof of citizenship/ID
• Resume
• Evidence of prior research including publications
• Evidence of meeting the English language requirements for Swinburne postgraduate courses by research (International and Permanent Resident applicants only).  Evidence of meeting this requirement must be valid until the scholarship enrolment deadline above.

Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered.

Current Swinburne PhD students (including those who have already received an offer for PhD candidature but have not yet enrolled):

Please follow the instructions in the 2026 Swinburne Research Scholarship Current Student Application Form.  

Please ensure you attach the following supporting documentation to your application.  

• Completed HDR Research Proposal template signed by your nominated Principal Supervisor
• Updated resume including list of publications
• Certified academic transcripts and evidence of completion

All applicants:

You are also required to organise a minimum of two referees to complete a Swinburne Research referee report**.  Your referees should send completed referee reports directly to HDRscholarships@swin.edu.au by the dates noted below.

Referee reports must be submitted by:

• Round 1 – Friday 15 May 2026, 5pm AEST
• Round 2 – Friday 16 October 2026, 5pm AEDT 

**Applicants for Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) are required to also organise two professional references.  Therefore, new psychology applicants are required to organise a minimum of four reports from referees.  You may use the same referee for the Swinburne referee report and the professional reference (if appropriate).

Information:

• HDR Research Proposal template
• Swinburne Research Stipend Scholarship rates 2026
• Scholarship entitlements easyguide 2026

Prospective students:

Email us: study@swin.edu.au

Call us: 1300 794 628 option 2 or +61 3 9214 8444 option 2

Currently enrolled students:

Graduate Research Office
hdrscholarships@swin.edu.au