The College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH) and the College of Health and Enablement (CHE) at Flinders University are inviting applications for the 2026 Clinician PhD Scholarships in Australia. This prestigious scholarship program is designed to support clinicians and allied health professionals who are passionate about combining clinical practice with impactful research.
The scholarship provides a generous annual stipend of AUD $50,000 tax-free for up to 3.5 years, allowing successful applicants to undertake a full-time PhD while advancing research in healthcare, medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, public health, and allied health disciplines.
Applications close on 11 June 2026.
About the Clinician PhD Scholarships
The Clinician PhD Scholarship is part of a pilot initiative aimed at attracting and supporting clinicians from diverse healthcare disciplines to pursue higher degrees by research. The program is hosted by:
- College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH)
- College of Health and Enablement (CHE)
The initiative seeks to strengthen the connection between clinical practice and research by empowering healthcare professionals to contribute innovative solutions and evidence-based advancements in healthcare systems.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- AUD $50,000 annual stipend
- Tax-free payments
- Funding for up to 3.5 years
- Fortnightly payment structure
- Opportunity to undertake a full-time PhD at a leading Australian university
- Access to high-quality research supervision and academic mentorship
Eligible Research Areas
Applicants can pursue research in areas including:
College of Medicine and Public Health (CMPH)
- Medicine
- Biomedical Sciences
- Public Health
College of Health and Enablement (CHE)
- Nursing
- Midwifery
- Allied Health
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
- Be eligible for admission into a full-time PhD program at Flinders University
- Be a domestic student in Australia
- Hold professional registration to practice in Australia without restrictions or suspensions
- Demonstrate strong academic merit and research potential
- Submit a research proposal aligned with the relevant college focus area
For allied health professions that do not require formal registration, applicants must provide evidence of their authority to practice.
The scholarship especially encourages applications from:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinicians
- Rural and remote healthcare professionals
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed using NHMRC postgraduate scholarship criteria, including:
- Academic record and research achievements (60%)
- Research environment and supervisory team (20%)
- Quality and feasibility of the research project (20%)
Applicants must also have a principal PhD supervisor affiliated with the relevant college at Flinders University.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit a single PDF document containing:
- A two-page CV highlighting academic achievements, publications, awards, presentations, and professional experience
- Research proposal (maximum two pages)
- Research environment and supervisory team statement (maximum 500 words)
- Proposed 2026 commencement date, preferably between July and September 2026
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Clinician PhD Scholarships is 11 June 2026.
How to Apply
Applicants for the College of Medicine and Public Health should submit applications via:
Applicants for the College of Health and Enablement should submit applications via:
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