The UQ Fellowship Support Scheme covers full tuition and pays a $37,500 annual living stipend for PhD students in Australia. Open to domestic and international applicants. Here’s how to apply.

Overview

Australia doesn’t just have great weather and a strong job market for international graduates — it has some of the most generously funded PhD programmes in the world. The University of Queensland Fellowship Support Scheme is one of them.

This scholarship covers your full tuition fees and pays you a living stipend of $37,500 AUD per year (indexed annually) to complete your doctorate at one of Australia’s leading research universities. It’s funded by the Australian Government — which means it’s backed by real, structured financial commitment, not donor-dependent annual fundraising.

The University of Queensland (UQ), based in Brisbane, is consistently ranked in the top 50 universities globally and is a member of Australia’s elite Group of Eight research universities. A PhD from UQ carries genuine international weight.

What You Get (Benefits)

The stipend is tax-exempt for domestic students and structured to cover living costs as a full-time researcher. Combined with covered tuition, this is a comprehensive package that lets you focus entirely on your research.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

This scholarship is open to candidates who:

• Meet the entry requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Queensland
• Meet any specific requirements of the individual project they are applying to

Unlike many scholarships with complex nationality or age restrictions, the UQ Fellowship Support Scheme is straightforward in its eligibility structure — it focuses on academic and project fit.

Part-time students: If you’re a domestic student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition, or a disability that prevents full-time study, you may still be considered for this scholarship. This is assessed case by case.

How This Scholarship Works

This scholarship is project-based, which is an important distinction. You don’t apply for the scholarship separately from the PhD — you apply by choosing an eligible project and following the application instructions for that specific project.

This means the first step is not filling out a scholarship form. It’s finding the right research project.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Step 1: Browse Eligible Projects

Visit the UQ scholarship project page and filter by the Fellowship Support Scheme (scholarship ID 4572). Browse available projects across all study areas — UQ offers doctoral research across science, engineering, health, social sciences, humanities, business, law, and more.

Browse eligible projects here →

Step 2: Read the Project Requirements Carefully

Each project page will outline specific requirements beyond the general PhD entry criteria. Some projects require particular undergraduate or postgraduate backgrounds, relevant research experience, or technical skills. Read each one thoroughly before applying.

Step 3: Follow the Project-Specific Application Instructions

Once you’ve identified your project, follow the application instructions listed on that project’s page. Each project may have a slightly different process — some may require you to contact the supervisor first; others may direct you straight to an online application.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Submit before any project-specific deadline. Note that if you receive this scholarship after you’ve already commenced your PhD, there are no retrospective payments — so timing matters.

Why UQ? Why Australia?

The University of Queensland has a strong global research reputation, particularly in areas including biomedical science, engineering, environmental science, business, and the social sciences. Its Graduate School provides structured support for HDR (Higher Degree by Research) candidates, and Brisbane — Queensland’s capital — is one of Australia’s most liveable, affordable, and rapidly growing cities.

For international students, especially, Australia offers:

• A post-study work visa (Temporary Graduate Visa — subclass 485) that allows you to stay and work in Australia after completing your degree, up to 4 years for PhD graduates
• A clear pathway to Australian permanent residency through skilled migration streams
• A strong research culture with funding for conference attendance, international collaborations, and industry partnerships
• A multicultural, welcoming environment with large African, South Asian, and Southeast Asian communities

For African students: this scholarship is Australian Government-funded and open to international applicants. Brisbane’s cost of living is more manageable than Sydney or Melbourne, and the $37,500 stipend goes meaningfully further there.

Important Note on Timing

If you receive this scholarship after you’ve already commenced your PhD at UQ, there will be no retrospective payments. This means you need to secure the scholarship as part of your initial enrolment process, not as an add-on later. Apply to eligible projects before starting — not after.

For the most up-to-date policy details, read the UQ Research Scholarships Policy.

Quick Summary Table

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For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the University of Queensland PhD Scholarship 2026