PhD scholarships and opportunities
Australian Wildlife Society Research Conservation Scholarship
Closing Date: 31 March 2026 Apply Now
Top-up Scholarship
The Award is open to students enrolled in Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy degrees who are undertaking a research project in the Hunter Valley Region. The research project must have direct relevance to the conservation of Australia’s native wildlife. (Flora or fauna).
High-throughput Evaluation of Photocatalysts for Selective Solar Driven Methane Oxidation
Closing Date: 09 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
Solar driven selective oxidation of methane to liquid fuels and chemical feedstocks (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) represents a groundbreaking route for methane valorisation and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Adding Without Subtracting: A Community-Based Approach to Incremental Affordable Housing Development
Closing Date: 20 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This PhD scholarship is provided as part of the NSW Affordable Housing Network. The successful candidate will work closely with academic researchers, government agencies and housing sector partners. This PhD will research the challenges of affordable housing through collective, consensual, and neighbourhood-scale approaches to incremental affordable housing.
An Exploration of how Cultural Factors shape Sports Coaching Practices and Sporting Experiences
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This PhD explores how cultural factors shape coaching practices and sporting experiences for participants. It examines ways to strengthen cultural capability across the sports sector to support inclusive, positive participation.
A Social History of Polio Vaccination in Australia, 1950s to 1970s
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
Potential topics include an investigation of the public health promotion of the Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in Australia from 1966 and/or transnational histories of polio and public health, Australia and New Zealand.
Developing Physical Literacy through Sport
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This PhD explores organised sport as a key setting for developing physical literacy in children and adolescents.
Edith Ethel Ward Perpetual PhD Scholarship
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
Top-up Scholarship
This donor funded scholarship has been established and funded for a maximum of 3.5 years (full-time equivalent) for a current Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate in the College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing. The supplementation scholarship provides a benefit of $10,000 per annum plus a $2,000 travel component per annum for up to a maximum of 3.5 years (full-time) for a PhD program.
Error Correction for Free-Space Quantum Communications
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
PhD Opportunity in error correction codes for free-space quantum communications. This includes new analysis, design and decoding methods for error correction codes for information reconciliation in continuous variable quantum key distribution.
Stroke Recovery and Post-stroke Fatigue
Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Apply Now
PhD Opportunity
We invite expressions of interest to enrol in a PhD focused on post-stroke fatigue—a common, debilitating condition affecting over half of stroke survivors. It can persist for years, and currently, no evidence-based treatment is available.
AI Integrated Design of Zwitterionic Lipids for Extrahepatic RNA Delivery
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This project aims to develop next‑generation zwitterionic ionizable lipids (ZILs) to enhance the delivery, safety, and tissue targeting of RNA therapeutics beyond the liver. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary team investigating how lipid chemistry, nanoparticle formulation, and biological interfaces together shape RNA delivery performance.
Developing a Technical Framework for Testing Printed Solar Technology
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
Help shape the future of solar energy. This iPhD project will develop a new technical framework for testing printed solar technologies—an emerging class of ultra-lightweight, flexible photovoltaics. Current international standards were designed for traditional, rigid panels and don't adequately address the unique characteristics of printed solar. Your research will fill this gap, leading to new testing methods that could accelerate the commercial adoption of printed solar and enable its use on structures that can’t support conventional panels. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the next generation of clean energy technologies with real-world impact.
Glenn and Ken Moss PhD Scholarships in Engineering Research
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This donor funded supplementation scholarship has been established and funded for University of Newcastle students studying PhD (Mechanical Engineering) or PhD (Mechatronics). If a candidate is not available in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics, then the scholarship may be offered to a student from another Engineering Discipline.
Marathon Health supported Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) HDR Scholarship
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
The project focuses on understanding the impact of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone on the local health service system through the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program.
Media Representation & Public Perception of RNA Vaccines and Therapeutics in Australia
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This project will examine how RNA vaccines and therapeutics have been portrayed in Australian media and how these messages shape public understanding, trust, and attitudes.
The Impact of PFAS Contamination on Shorebird Health and Behaviour
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Opportunity
The project will measure environmental PFAS levels in the shorebird food chain and in shorebird tissue and relate these to shorebird health and movement ability studied using Motus automated telemetry.
Understanding, Optimizing, and Safeguarding the Thermal Desorption and Destruction of PFAS
Closing Date: 01 January 2018 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.
Progressive Voices/Movements in Islamic Theology in the (Post-)Secular Society of 21st Century
Closing Date: 31 December 2025 Apply Now
PhD Opportunity
PhD research on “Progressive Voices/Movements in Islamic Theology in the (Post-)Secular Society of 21st Century”
Recently expired PhD Scholarships
Dr Paul Chong PhD Scholarship for Alternative Energy
Closing Date: 31 January 2026 Apply Now
Top-up Scholarship
The intention of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to encourage today’s young researchers working in the field of renewable energy, including those in search for alternative energy resources.
Building the sperm RNA profile: Mechanisms of Modulation and Acquisition
Closing Date: 30 March 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
A PhD scholarship as part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. The PhD student will be part of a leading research team to investigate how the sperm RNA profile is shaped during epididymal transit.
Photosynthetic Production of Valuable Microbial Biochemicals
Closing Date: 01 June 2026 Apply Now
PhD Scholarship
This project aims to develop a carbon-negative biomanufacturing platform, using cyanobacteria, to produce sustainable biochemicals for agriculture, health, and environmental applications.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.