University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded PhD for Domestic and International Students in Australia

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The University of Canberra (UC) offers a limited number of research scholarships for highly qualified candidates undertaking full-time PhD study. These include both the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship and the UC Higher Degree by Research Stipend Scholarship, open to both domestic and international applicants.

The scholarship provides a $36,225 AUD annual stipend (2025 rate, tax-free) plus, for international recipients, a tuition fee waiver.

Fewer than 10% of applicants received an award in the previous round; these scholarships are highly competitive.

What the Scholarship Covers

Important for international students: The stipend is not paid until you can undertake your research on-shore. Once you arrive at the University of Canberra campus, the stipend will be back-paid from your commencement date.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility

All applicants:

• Must not have previously held an Australian Government-funded research scholarship for more than 6 months
• Domestic (Australian citizen, permanent resident, NZ citizen) or international students

Priority is given to:

• Applicants approved for admission to a PhD with an Australian First Class Honours result, or equivalent qualification including a research project comprising at least 25% of the course with a result of at least 80%
• Current PhD candidates who have achieved Confirmation of Candidature and completed less than 2 years of candidature (EFTD)
• Applicants for the National Industry PhD Program — Industry Linked stream
• Indigenous Australian applicants approved for admission to a PhD

What Is the University of Canberra?

UC is a public university located in Bruce, ACT, in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. It has particular strength in health sciences, education, business, law, communication, design, science, and technology. Canberra is home to numerous federal government agencies, research institutions, and major national facilities — offering unique research collaboration opportunities for UC doctoral students.

Canberra has a significantly lower cost of living than Sydney or Melbourne, making the $36,225 stipend more practically workable than the same amount in larger cities.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply for HDR (Higher Degree by Research) admission through the UC HDR Application Portal.

Step 2: Once your admission application is submitted, you gain access to a separate scholarship application form — complete both before the deadline.

Both the HDR admission application and the scholarship application must be completed and submitted before the closing date.

Selection process:

1. Applications are assessed for completion and eligibility
2. Forwarded to faculties for academic ranking based on merit, strategic alignment, research proposal, and research experience
3. University Research Scholarship Committee reviews faculty rankings and allocates scholarships to the highest-ranked applicants

Closing date: Check the University of Canberra’s Important UC Dates page — select Higher Degree by Research students for the relevant deadline.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026