La Trobe University Project-Based PhD Scholarships: $36,000/Year for International and Domestic Researchers in Australia (Open Year-Round)

Most PhD scholarship competitions open once a year and close with a hard deadline. La Trobe University’s Project-Based PhD Scholarship programme works differently: applications are open year-round, multiple projects are available across disciplines, and you apply to a specific research project with a specific supervisor rather than to a general PhD pool.

Successful applicants receive a $36,000 AUD stipend per year for 3.5 years, a full tuition fee scholarship for 4 years, and thesis and relocation allowances. Both domestic and international applicants are eligible.

What the Scholarship Covers

At current exchange rates, $36,000 AUD is approximately $23,000 USD or €21,000. In Melbourne, where La Trobe is based, this is a workable doctoral stipend, particularly when tuition is separately and fully covered.

What Is La Trobe University?

La Trobe University is a research-intensive Australian university based in Melbourne, with additional campuses in regional Victoria and New South Wales. It is particularly well known for research in health sciences, agricultural sciences, environmental science, social sciences, and the humanities. La Trobe has a strong record of international research partnerships and a large, diverse international student community.

Melbourne is consistently ranked among the world’s most livable cities, internationally connected, culturally vibrant, and with a cost of living that is more manageable than Sydney for most students on a doctoral stipend.

How This Scholarship Differs From Standard PhD Applications

This is a project-based scheme — not an open-topic doctoral competition. Each scholarship is attached to a specific, defined research project developed by a La Trobe supervisor. You choose a project from the available list, contact the supervisor, and — if they consider you suitable — they invite you to submit a formal application.

This means you are not proposing your own research topic. You are selecting from projects that the university has already funded and needs a PhD student to execute. The advantage is that funding is confirmed and supervisory support is guaranteed from day one — your job is to be the right candidate for the project.

The Application Process: Step by Step

Step 1 — Check eligibility
Ensure you meet La Trobe’s entry requirements for a PhD. Generally: a Master’s degree or an Honours degree (First Class or upper Second Class) in a relevant field, with evidence of research capability.

Step 2 — Select a project
Browse the available PhD project scholarships on La Trobe’s research scholarships page. Each project has its own description, eligibility criteria, and supervisor details.

Step 3 — Review project requirements
Read the specific requirements for your chosen project carefully — each project may have additional conditions beyond the general PhD eligibility.

Step 4 — Contact the primary supervisor first
Email the primary supervisor for your chosen project before applying. Include:

• A statement outlining your interest in the project and your research goals
• A copy of your academic transcripts
• A copy of your research thesis or relevant publications
• Your CV

Do not submit a formal application without an invitation from the supervisor. Applications without supervisor support are not accepted. This step is mandatory.

Step 5 — If invited, submit your formal application

Domestic applicants: Apply via La Trobe’s Domestic Online Application System and select “Graduate Research Applicants” scholarship when prompted.

International applicants: Apply via La Trobe’s International Online Application System. Select “Project-based PhD Scholarship OR La Trobe Industry Research Scholarship” and complete a Research Statement Form for your nominated project. Attach the form to your application.

Include the project code (PRO-2—-) in your application.

For International Applicants Specifically

International applicants must complete an additional Research Statement Form — a document specific to your chosen project that outlines your research approach and how your background prepares you for the project. Download it from La Trobe’s website and attach it to your international application.

You may nominate only one project per application. If you are interested in multiple projects, contact supervisors for each one before deciding which to formally apply for.

Key Information