Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships 2026–2027: Funding Opportunities for Master’s and PhD Students in Australia

Monash University offers a wide range of scholarships, grants and funding opportunities designed to support graduate research students undertaking higher degree research at its campuses in Australia and selected international locations. These opportunities can help eligible students manage tuition fees, living expenses, research costs, travel and other expenses associated with postgraduate research.

For students planning to pursue a research-based master’s degree, doctoral degree or other graduate research qualification, Monash University provides several centrally managed scholarships, faculty-supported awards, industry-funded opportunities and scholarships specifically designed for international students.

The available funding varies considerably depending on the scholarship. Some awards provide a living stipend, while others cover tuition fees, Overseas Student Health Cover or provide additional funding on top of an existing scholarship.

Opportunity Category

Category: Scholarship and Graduate Research Funding Opportunity

The information below covers multiple Monash University graduate research scholarships, grants and related funding opportunities rather than one single scholarship programme.

About Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships

Monash University is a major Australian research institution offering graduate research opportunities across a broad range of academic disciplines. Its graduate research funding system includes scholarships funded by the Australian Government, Monash University, faculties, academic units, industry partners, philanthropic organisations and external sponsors.

The university’s graduate research funding opportunities are particularly relevant to students who want to undertake research in areas such as:

• Engineering
• Science
• Medicine
• Information Technology
• Business and Economics
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Sustainability and environmental studies
• Social justice
• Human rights
• Social policy
• Energy and low-carbon technologies
• Other research disciplines available through Monash graduate research programmes

The funding arrangements differ according to the scholarship, applicant category, research area, citizenship status and funding source.

Who Can Apply for Monash Graduate Research Scholarships?

Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship.

International Students

Several Monash graduate research scholarships are specifically available to international students. International applicants can therefore be considered for selected funding opportunities when they meet the academic, research, admission and scholarship-specific requirements.

The Monash International Tuition Scholarship (MITS), for example, is designed for international graduate research students and can cover tuition fees and single Overseas Student Health Cover. It is generally awarded alongside a stipend scholarship.

Other international opportunities have more specific nationality requirements. These include scholarships for students from Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Domestic Students

Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents may be eligible for scholarships and government-supported funding designed for domestic graduate research students.

Domestic students may also benefit from the Australian Government’s Research Training Program arrangements, including fee offsets for eligible students.

Important Eligibility Point

There is no single nationality or academic eligibility requirement that applies to every scholarship listed by Monash University. Each funding opportunity has its own criteria.

Applicants should therefore identify the specific scholarship they intend to apply for and carefully check:

• Citizenship or residency requirements
• Academic qualifications
• Previous research experience
• Proposed research area
• Degree requirements
• English-language requirements where applicable
• Admission requirements
• Scholarship-specific conditions
• Whether a supervisor or research proposal is required
• Whether the scholarship is available to domestic or international students

Major Graduate Research Scholarships Available at Monash Australia

Monash University lists a number of scholarships for graduate research students studying at an Australian campus.

1. Research Training Program Stipend

The Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend is funded by the Australian Government and supports students undertaking higher degree research at Australian universities.

At Monash University, RTP funding forms part of the university’s graduate research scholarship system and can provide financial support to eligible research students.

Students interested in this funding should review the specific Monash RTP requirements because eligibility and scholarship conditions apply.

2. Monash Graduate Scholarship

The Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is funded by Monash University to support graduate research students.

It is one of the university’s central graduate research scholarship schemes and is intended to provide financial assistance to students undertaking eligible research degrees.

Applicants should review the current scholarship conditions and application process to determine whether they qualify.

3. Co-funded Monash Graduate Scholarship

The Co-funded Monash Graduate Scholarship (CF-MGS) is jointly funded by the Monash Graduate Research Office and a faculty or academic unit.

This arrangement allows research students to receive scholarship support through collaboration between central university funding and academic units.

Because the funding is connected to faculties and academic areas, applicants should pay close attention to available research projects and faculty-specific requirements.

4. Sir James McNeill Foundation Postgraduate Research Scholarship

The Sir James McNeill Foundation Postgraduate Research Scholarship (SJMN) is a prestigious scholarship established in memory of Sir James McNeill, who had a long association with Monash University.

The scholarship supports research in selected areas, including:

• Music
• Engineering
• Science
• Medicine

Applicants interested in these disciplines should examine the individual scholarship requirements and research eligibility criteria before applying.

5. Maxwell King PhD Scholarship

The Maxwell King PhD Scholarship (MKS) is named after Professor Maxwell King, who made significant contributions to graduate research at Monash University, including serving for eight years as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Research Training.

The scholarship is intended to support eligible PhD research students.

Candidates should confirm the current eligibility requirements, scholarship value and application arrangements through Monash University’s official scholarship information.

6. Monash Graduate Impact 2030 Scholarship

The Monash Graduate Impact 2030 Scholarship supports research aligned with one of Monash University’s identified Global Challenges under its Impact 2030 framework.

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to applicants whose proposed research addresses major societal, environmental, technological or global challenges.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research connects with the relevant Monash Global Challenge.

7. Raydon Scholarship

The Raydon Scholarship provides top-up funding for graduate research students undertaking research in areas connected to social and environmental improvement.

Relevant research areas include:

• Social justice
• Social inclusion
• Human rights
• Sustainability
• Environment
• Social policy for the betterment of society

Because this is a top-up scholarship, applicants should also examine the requirements concerning their primary scholarship or existing funding.

8. Monash-Museums Victoria Scholarship

Monash University has partnered with Museums Victoria to encourage and facilitate new research projects and initiatives.

The partnership includes two scholarship schemes:

• MMV Honours
• MMV PhD

These opportunities can be particularly attractive to students interested in research connected to museums, collections, cultural institutions, heritage or other relevant research themes supported through the partnership.

9. Monash Graduate Research Equity Supplement

The Monash Graduate Research Equity Supplement is intended to help eligible graduate research students meet additional expenses associated with undertaking their research.

The supplement is aimed at students with a disability or long-term medical condition where additional costs are incurred during their research degree.

Eligibility conditions apply, and applicants should consult the official Monash requirements for the current application process.

Scholarships for Domestic Graduate Research Students

Monash University also provides funding opportunities specifically aimed at domestic graduate research students.

Monash Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship

The Monash Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship is awarded on equity grounds to students whose academic careers have been adversely affected.

The scholarship recognises circumstances that may have affected an applicant’s educational progression and provides support to eligible students undertaking graduate research.

Monash Humanitarian Scholarship

The Monash Humanitarian Scholarship is intended for eligible humanitarian visa holders whose academic careers have been adversely affected.

This scholarship is therefore subject to specific residency or visa requirements and is not a general scholarship open to all international applicants.

Monash Indigenous Research Scholarships

Monash University provides scholarships specifically for Indigenous Australian students undertaking research degrees.

These scholarships include targeted support intended to assist eligible students with living costs while undertaking their research.

Industry and Partner-Funded Research Scholarships

Monash University also collaborates with industry and external organisations to support research addressing real-world challenges.

Woodside Monash Energy Partnership Research Scholarship

The Woodside Monash Energy Partnership is a major research collaboration between Monash University and Woodside Energy.

Research scholarships under the partnership support projects aligned with:

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Strategic research themes of the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership
• Energy solutions
• Lower-carbon technologies
• Engineering and scientific innovation

Relevant study areas include:

• Engineering
• Science
• Business and Economics
• Information Technology

This opportunity can be particularly relevant to applicants whose research has a strong connection to energy, sustainability, technology or the transition toward lower-carbon systems.

Zema Energy Studies Scholarship

The Zema Energy Studies Scholarship, supported by the Australian Energy Market Operator, is designed to support multidisciplinary research.

The scholarship covers research areas including:

• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Business and Economics

Its multidisciplinary nature makes it potentially suitable for research projects examining energy systems from technical, technological, economic or business perspectives.

International Graduate Research Scholarships

Monash University has several funding opportunities specifically for international graduate research students.

Monash International Tuition Scholarship

The Monash International Tuition Scholarship (MITS) can cover:

• Tuition fees
• Single Overseas Student Health Cover

The scholarship is generally awarded together with a stipend scholarship.

For international students, this distinction is important because tuition funding and living-cost support may come from separate scholarship arrangements.

Applicants should therefore determine whether they are applying for a tuition scholarship, a stipend scholarship or a combination of both.

Indonesian Women Impact Scholarship

The Indonesian Women Impact Scholarship supports high-achieving female graduate researchers from Indonesia.

The scholarship is designed for Indonesian women who intend to undertake graduate research with meaningful impact.

Because this is a targeted opportunity, applicants should ensure that they satisfy the nationality, gender, academic and research requirements before applying.

Monash University-China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarship

Monash University has established a collaborative scholarship programme with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to attract high-achieving Chinese students who wish to undertake a PhD at Monash University.

This opportunity is therefore specifically relevant to eligible Chinese applicants pursuing doctoral research.

Applicants should review both Monash University and China Scholarship Council requirements before beginning the application process.

Monash University-Vietnam Government Joint Scholarship

The Monash University-Vietnam Government Joint Scholarship, associated with Project 89, is offered in partnership with the Vietnamese Government.

The programme supports high-achieving Vietnamese students undertaking graduate research at Monash University.

Vietnamese applicants should verify the current Project 89 requirements as well as Monash University’s admission and scholarship conditions.

John Bush Memorial Top-Up Scholarship

The John Bush Memorial Top-Up Scholarship provides additional living-cost support for Thai-born graduate research students.

It is designed as a top-up scholarship and is intended to supplement a centrally allocated Monash scholarship.

Applicants should therefore understand that the scholarship is not necessarily intended to replace a primary graduate research scholarship.

Scholarships That Are Not Currently Available

Applicants should pay attention to the status of individual scholarships because not every opportunity appearing on the university’s scholarship information is currently accepting applications.

For example, the Monash Graduate Excellence Scholarship (MGES) Top Up is identified by Monash University as not currently offered.

Similarly, the Monash University-Pakistan Higher Education Commission Joint Scholarship is identified as not currently accepting applications because the relevant agreement has expired.

Applicants should always confirm the current status of a scholarship before preparing an application.

Graduate Research Travel Grants

In addition to scholarships, Monash University provides travel grants to support eligible graduate research students undertaking essential research-related travel.

The university states that travel grants can provide:

• Up to AUD 2,300 for international study away
• Up to AUD 900 for domestic study away

The funding may help cover flight-related expenses and can also support activities such as:

• Attending seminars
• Attending conferences
• Conducting fieldwork
• Conducting research away from the student’s home campus

However, these grants are subject to specific conditions.

Applicants must generally be:

• Presenting at a conference, supported by an acceptance or invitation to present; and/or
• Undertaking approved fieldwork relevant to their research project, supported by confirmation or planned activities.

Students must also have successfully completed confirmation and must complete the approved travel before thesis submission.

Students who are eligible for a staff travel grant or who have applied for an annual mandatory period of residency at a campus for external students may not be eligible.

Joint research award students may be eligible where the travel relates to their Monash Australia campus stay component.

Externally Funded Scholarship Opportunities

Monash University also directs graduate research students toward scholarships funded by external organisations.

These scholarships must generally be applied for through the relevant external organisation.

Examples listed by Monash include:

• A*STAR – Agency for Science, Technology and Research
• AusIMM Education Endowment Fund
• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Heart Foundation
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships
• Other externally funded opportunities

Applicants should carefully investigate the individual conditions of each external scholarship because eligibility, deadlines, funding amounts and application procedures are determined by the respective funding organisation.

Funding and Tuition Fees for Domestic Students

Eligible domestic graduate research students may benefit from the Australian Government’s Research Training Program Fees Offset.

The fee offset covers graduate research course fees for eligible students, including:

• Australian citizens
• New Zealand citizens
• Australian permanent residents

The fee offset applies for the specified duration of an eligible research course.

Domestic students may also be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee, commonly known as the SSAF. The amount can depend on the student’s annual research load.

Tuition Fees for International Students

International graduate research students should pay particular attention to tuition fees.

International students are generally required to pay tuition fees unless those fees are covered by:

• A Monash scholarship
• An external scholarship
• Sponsorship
• Another approved funding arrangement

Students should use Monash University’s course information to determine the applicable tuition fees for their selected research degree.

If an external sponsor provides a fee-paying scholarship, the student may need to submit a financial guarantee letter when accepting their offer.

The guarantee letter should identify:

• Costs covered by the sponsor
• Duration of sponsorship
• Other relevant financial commitments

If the scholarship does not cover the entire duration of the research programme, the student may be responsible for paying the remaining fees after the scholarship ends.

International students without a sponsor may also be required to pay a deposit equivalent to one semester’s fees when accepting their offer.

Overseas Student Health Cover

International students must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the period required by their Australian student visa.

Where a scholarship covers only single OSHC, students who require family or multi-family coverage may have to pay the difference.

This is an important cost for international applicants to consider when developing their overall postgraduate funding plan.

Monash Graduate Research Scholarships in Malaysia and Indonesia

Monash’s graduate research funding opportunities are not limited to Australia.

Monash Malaysia

Monash Malaysia offers a range of tuition-fee and stipend scholarships for graduate research students.

Students considering research study at Monash Malaysia should consult the campus’s current scholarship information and postgraduate fee information because eligibility and funding arrangements may differ from Monash Australia.

Monash Indonesia

Monash Indonesia offers a range of partially and fully funded scholarships for Graduate Research students.

Students interested in undertaking a PhD or other graduate research programme at Monash Indonesia should review the available scholarships and current programme-specific requirements.

How to Apply for a Monash Graduate Research Scholarship

The application process varies according to the specific scholarship, but prospective applicants should generally follow a structured approach.

Step 1: Identify Your Research Degree

Determine whether you are applying for:

• A research master’s programme
• A PhD
• Another eligible graduate research programme

Your intended degree will determine which scholarships you may be eligible to pursue.

Step 2: Identify Your Research Area

Review Monash University’s research areas and determine whether your proposed research fits within the university’s available disciplines and research strengths.

This is particularly important for scholarships that target specific areas such as:

• Energy
• Engineering
• Science
• Medicine
• Sustainability
• Social justice
• Human rights
• Information Technology
• Business and Economics

Step 3: Determine Your Applicant Category

Establish whether you are applying as:

• A domestic student
• An international student
• A student from a scholarship-specific country
• A student eligible for a targeted equity programme
• A student eligible for an industry or partner-funded scholarship

Your nationality, residency status and academic circumstances can significantly affect which funding opportunities are available.

Step 4: Review Academic Requirements

Make sure your previous academic qualifications meet the requirements for the research programme and scholarship.

Applicants should also consider whether their academic background demonstrates sufficient preparation for advanced research.

Step 5: Develop Your Research Proposal

Where required, prepare a strong research proposal explaining:

• The research problem
• Background and context
• Research objectives
• Research questions
• Proposed methodology
• Expected contribution
• Significance of the research
• Relevant literature
• Potential impact

For impact-focused scholarships, applicants should clearly explain how their proposed research addresses the objectives of the relevant funding programme.

Step 6: Identify Potential Supervisors

For research degrees, identifying suitable academic supervisors can be an important part of the application process.

Applicants should investigate researchers whose expertise aligns with their proposed topic and review the university’s supervision requirements.

Step 7: Prepare Supporting Documents

Depending on the scholarship, applicants may need documents such as:

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae
• Research proposal
• Evidence of English-language proficiency
• Identification documents
• References or referee reports
• Publications or evidence of research experience
• Scholarship-specific documentation

Applicants should rely on the individual scholarship page for the definitive list of required documents.

Step 8: Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted according to the instructions provided by Monash University or, for externally funded scholarships, by the relevant funding organisation.

Applicants should not assume that all scholarships use the same application procedure.

Is There a Single Deadline?

No single deadline is provided for all of the Monash graduate research scholarships listed above.

The scholarships have different application processes and availability periods. Some may be offered through particular rounds, while others may depend on faculty, research project or external funding arrangements.

Applicants should therefore check the individual scholarship page for the current closing date before applying.

For opportunities that do not display a deadline in the supplied information, applicants should not assume that applications remain open indefinitely.

Why Consider Monash University for Graduate Research?

Monash University’s broad scholarship portfolio offers several advantages for prospective research students.

1. Multiple Sources of Funding

Funding can come from:

• The Australian Government
• Monash University
• Faculties
• Academic units
• Industry partners
• Government agencies
• Philanthropic organisations
• External scholarship providers

This creates multiple potential pathways for students seeking postgraduate research funding.

2. Opportunities Across Multiple Disciplines

The scholarships cover a broad range of academic areas, from engineering and science to medicine, information technology, business, sustainability, social justice and human rights.

3. Support for International Students

International students can access several dedicated funding opportunities, including tuition scholarships and nationality-specific joint programmes.

4. Additional Research and Travel Support

Graduate researchers may also have access to travel grants for eligible conferences, fieldwork and research activities.

5. Industry-Linked Research

Partnerships such as the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership create opportunities for research that connects academic work with real-world industry and societal challenges.

Important Advice for Prospective Applicants

Prospective applicants should avoid treating the entire Monash scholarship portfolio as one application.

Instead, identify the scholarships for which you are genuinely eligible and compare them carefully.

Pay particular attention to:

1. Citizenship requirements.
2. Degree requirements.
3. Research discipline.
4. Academic performance.
5. Research experience.
6. Supervisor requirements.
7. Scholarship duration.
8. Tuition-fee coverage.
9. Stipend arrangements.
10. Overseas Student Health Cover requirements.
11. Application deadlines.
12. Whether the scholarship is a primary award or a top-up.
13. Whether the scholarship is currently offered.
14. Whether an external organisation controls the application process.

Applicants should also distinguish between admission to a graduate research programme and receiving a scholarship. Being eligible for admission does not necessarily guarantee scholarship funding.

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Official Application and Scholarship Information

Prospective applicants should use Monash University’s official Graduate Research website to review current scholarship information, programme requirements, application procedures and funding conditions.

The university’s graduate research information covers scholarships, fees, supervision, research programmes, support services and other resources relevant to prospective research students.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Monash University Graduate Research Scholarships 2026–2027.

Conclusion

Monash University’s graduate research scholarship portfolio provides a broad range of funding pathways for students seeking to undertake advanced research in Australia and selected international Monash locations.

The available opportunities range from government-funded Research Training Program support and Monash Graduate Scholarships to specialised awards, top-up scholarships, industry-funded research opportunities, international tuition scholarships, nationality-specific joint scholarships and targeted equity programmes.

International students should pay particular attention to tuition fees, scholarship coverage and Overseas Student Health Cover, while domestic students should investigate Research Training Program fee offsets and scholarships available to their applicant category.

Because eligibility, funding amounts, application procedures and deadlines vary between scholarships, prospective applicants should not rely on a single general deadline or assume that one scholarship’s requirements apply to another. The most effective approach is to identify the specific graduate research programme and scholarships that match your academic background, nationality, research interests and career objectives, then carefully follow the current official application instructions.

For the latest scholarship availability, eligibility requirements, fees and application procedures, applicants should consult the official Monash University Graduate Research scholarship pages before submitting an application.

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