Climate change is increasingly reshaping communities around the world, forcing millions of people to relocate due to floods, bushfires, droughts, rising sea levels, and other climate related disasters. To better understand these challenges and develop long term policy solutions, Monash University is offering applications for its 2026 PhD Scholarship in Climate Displacement in Australia.
This prestigious research scholarship provides an exceptional opportunity for outstanding domestic and international students to undertake a fully funded PhD while contributing to an important Australian Research Council (ARC) funded research project. Successful candidates will receive generous financial support, expert supervision, funding for research activities, and the opportunity to contribute to high impact academic research on climate displacement.
The scholarship is hosted at the Clayton Campus in Melbourne, Australia, and applications close on Sunday, 2 August 2026 at 11:55 pm AEST.
About the Scholarship
The PhD scholarship forms part of the Australian Research Council funded project titled:
“Addressing Long Term Climate Displacement in Australia.”
The project is led by Dr. Colette Mortreux from the School of Social Sciences at Monash University.
The research seeks to better understand the lived experiences of communities displaced by climate related disasters and identify practical ways to improve Australia’s response to long term climate displacement.
Rather than focusing only on relocation itself, the project investigates the broader social and economic impacts experienced by affected communities.
Research areas include:
- Community wellbeing
- Financial security
- Social participation
- Policy responses
- Institutional practices
- Long term adaptation strategies
- Climate resilience
The successful PhD candidate will contribute to the wider ARC project while also developing an independent doctoral research project aligned with the broader research objectives.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package that allows them to focus fully on their doctoral research.
The scholarship includes:
- Research Living Allowance valued at AUD 37,145 per year (2026 rate)
- Tax free annual stipend
- Annual indexation according to Research Training Program scholarship conditions
- Tuition fee scholarship
- Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) for successful international applicants
- Funding support for fieldwork
- Conference travel support
- Research travel funding
- Transcription support
- Opportunities to publish research
- Possibility of co authoring academic publications
- Participation in funded research symposia
- School engagement activities
- Opportunities to contribute to future research grant applications
- Supervision by internationally recognized researchers
- Integration into an Australian Research Council funded research project
Research Focus
The successful candidate will primarily use qualitative research methods to investigate climate displacement within Australia.
Research topics may include:
- Experiences of communities displaced by climate related disasters
- Long term wellbeing following displacement
- Economic impacts of displacement
- Social inclusion and community participation
- Government policy responses
- Institutional support systems
- Climate adaptation strategies
- Future policy recommendations
The exact PhD project will be developed collaboratively with the supervisory team.
Why Study at Monash University?
Monash University is Australia’s largest university and consistently ranks among the world’s top 100 universities.
Students joining this scholarship will benefit from:
- World class research facilities
- Internationally recognized supervisors
- Strong research culture
- Extensive global partnerships
- International collaborations across Europe and Asia
- Diverse School of Social Sciences
- Expertise in geography, sociology, politics, and sustainability transitions
- Access to competitive research funding opportunities
The successful candidate will be based at the university’s Clayton Campus in Melbourne.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should possess an outstanding academic background in Human Geography or another closely related social science discipline.
Priority will be given to applicants who have:
- An Australian Honours degree or an equivalent international qualification
- A Master’s degree with a significant research component
- First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent
- Strong research potential
- Excellent academic performance
Applicants must also:
- Meet Monash University’s English language proficiency requirements where applicable
- Be eligible for admission into a PhD program within the Faculty of Arts
- Enrol as a full time, on campus doctoral student
- Not already hold a PhD qualification
Expected Start Date
The successful applicant is expected to commence the PhD program by:
29 January 2027
Monash University notes that there may be some flexibility regarding the commencement date.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Cover letter outlining suitability for the scholarship
- Brief research proposal aligned with the project’s aims and objectives
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Conference presentations (if applicable)
- Relevant work experience
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Official grading system documentation (where available)
- Certified scanned supporting documents
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
- Contact details of two academic referees
Important Pre Application Requirement
Before submitting an application, applicants must first discuss their research proposal with Dr. Colette Mortreux from the School of Social Sciences.
This discussion is a mandatory step before submitting the scholarship application.
How to Apply
After discussing your research proposal with Dr. Colette Mortreux:
- Submit your application through the Monash University My.App portal.
- Upload all required documents in PDF format.
- Select Admission Only as the Application Type.
- Select Yes when asked if applying for scholarship funding.
- Enter “PhD Scholarship in Climate Displacement in Australia” under Research Program Funding.
Application Deadline
Deadline: Sunday, 2 August 2026, 11:55 pm AEST
Late applications may not be considered. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their research proposal and supporting documents as early as possible.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
Discover more Global Scholarships Opportunities on OFY here.
