Postgraduate Scholarships

Postgraduate Scholarships support outstanding graduates to attain a health or medical research-based postgraduate degree (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Research Masters Degree).

Scholarships can be funded at full-time or part-time equivalent (all proposed part-time arrangements must be agreed to by the applicant’s nominated supervisor, and approved by the Administering Institution).

Key scheme information:

Postgraduate Scholarships are funded for a maximum period of three years of full-time equivalent (FTE) study for a PhD degree, and two years for a Research Masters degree.
Four research streams: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research; Clinical Medicine and Science Research; Dora Lush Basic Science Research; Public Health and Health Services Research
Scholarship categories have been streamlined from four categories into two with a single stipend rate for equity across the categories: Priority Scholarship for allied health and medical/dental professionals, and Standard Scholarships for other graduates.

Back to:

National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Grants and Tenders

Eligibility

Applicants must apply under the Research Stream that their research proposal aligns with.
Graduates must be undertaking a higher degree by research (i.e. a PhD or a Research Masters degree); coursework degrees do not qualify as higher degrees by research, and not exceed 12 calendar months of full-time equivalent enrolment for a PhD degree, or six calendar months for a master's by research degree, up to 31 December in year of application.
At the time of acceptance and for the duration of a grant the applicant must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, based in Australia for at least 80% of the funding period.
Proposal is for a research project based in Australia.
Standard Stipend recipients must have achieved their most recent academic qualification at least five years before 31 December in the year of application, if applying for the Clinical Medicine and Science Research or Dora Lush Basic Science Research Streams.
Not previously been a recipient of a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship.
Not be a recipient of an Australian Government funded stipend such as a Research Training Program (RTP) stipend.
The applicant will not be able to hold a full-time academic position, or other full-time positions, in conjunction with their NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship. The applicant must inform the NHMRC (via RDS) if such situations arise.

Application timeline

Specific dates are published on ResearchLink or the NHMRC calendar.

	Milestone	What is required
8 weeks before deadline	Applications open in Sapphire	Applicant to start Sapphire application. Notify nhmrc@flinders.edu.au that they are applying. Engage College-based Research Development and Support (RDS) as needed. Complete the eligibility survey supplied by the NHMRC grants team in RDS.
4 weeks before deadline	Minimum Data in Sapphire	Applicant must have lodged minimum data in the Sapphire system to continue with their application.
4 weeks before deadline	Compliance review deadline for RDS	Submit your application to Sapphire and the NHMRC grants team in RDS will check your eligibility and review application components against the grant guidelines for compliance. Supply all required eligibility documentation to the NHMRC grants team.
2 weeks before deadline	Completed application in Sapphire	A completed application must be lodged in Sapphire so that the NHMRC grants team can make final checks and submit.
2 days before deadline	Sapphire certification deadline	Applicant must certify the application in Sapphire to submit their application to NHMRC.
Deadline for submission 4:30pm	Applications close in Sapphire	All applications will be submitted in Sapphire by the NHMRC grants (RAOs) team before the NHMRC deadline.

Application process

Before applications open

Discuss your plans to apply for a Postgraduate Scholarship with your College Research Support team and notify the RDS NHMRC grants team to ensure that you receive information about upcoming rounds, grant development and review.
Attend Researcher Training and Development information sessions run throughout the year (see information about upcoming sessions and recordings of previous sessions here).
Register on GrantConnect to obtain all of the NHMRC documents and updates.
Create or update your NHMRC Sapphire account, including your "my profile" data for application submission.

When applications open

Review your eligibility to apply/hold a Postgraduate Scholarship using the most recent grant guidelines.
Begin your NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship application in Sapphire and complete minimum data prior to the deadline.
Submit a ResearchNow application to obtain College approval for the submission of your application.
Discuss any support for internal or external quality or scientific review with your College Research Support team.
Meet the RDS internal review deadlines to ensure that your application satisfies the NHMRC eligibility requirements and to ensure that you have time to consider compliance reviews and incorporate feedback.
The RDS NHMRC grants team submits your application on behalf of the University to the NHMRC through Sapphire.