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Funding & Scholarships

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For Local Research Students

Scholarships for Research Students

Current funding opportunities for specific projects are available on the Available Research Projects pages. Types of research scholarships available for postgraduate student in the ACMM include:

  • Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
  • University Postgraduate Award (UPA)
  • The Vice-Chancellor's Research Scholarships (VCRS)
  • Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Scholarships

Only one application through the Scholarships Office is necessary to be considered for all of the above. Application forms are available from the Research Office. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must submit two separate applications: one for a scholarship to the Scholarships Office, and one for their place in a degree to the Faculty of Science. Please note that deadlines for these applications often differ.

Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)

Awards are funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and are tenable at an Australian tertiary institution for doctoral and masters research degrees. The benefits include:

  • A tax-exempt stipend valued at $19,231 per annum (2006 rate)
  • Relocation allowance
  • Thesis allowance

Competition for the APA is high and successful applicants must have a first class Honours degree or equivalent. A limited number of APA/UPAs are also available for Semester 2 commencement.

University of Sydney Postgraduate Award (UPA)

This award is funded by the University of Sydney and is not transferable to other institutions. The University of Sydney Postgraduate Award has conditions and allowances similar to the APA. Applicants for an APA will be automatically considered for a UPA.

Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Scholarships are available to fulltime local research candidates, normally PhD candidates, in any discipline or research unit associated with the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

The stipend is offered at the same rate as the Australian Postgraduate Award. Applicants for an APA are considered automatically for a Faculty of Science Research Scholarship. More information about these scholarships is available on the Scholarships Office website.

For International Research Students

International students are required to pay tuition fees to undertake research degrees in the ACMM. Information about fees is available on the Scholarships Office website

There are many scholarships available to cover the tuition fees/living expenses for outstanding international students. Some of the more common schemes are listed below, but a more comprehensive list, along with the procedures to apply, is available on the Future Students website.

University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS)

The University of Sydney invites candidates who are eligible to undertake a Postgraduate Research Degree or Masters by Research program at this University to apply for the University of Sydney International Research Scholarship (USydIS).

The objective of the USydIS is to attract top quality international postgraduate students to undertake research projects which will enhance the University's research activities. The USydIS is open to all research disciplines, however participation in the USydIS program each semester is at the discretion of the Dean of each faculty. These scholarships will be awarded to eligible applicants twice a year in October/November in conjunction with the Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (EIPRS) for commencement in Semester 1 (March), and in early April for commencement in Semester 2 (July).

The USydIS will cover tuition fees and living allowance for up to three years with a possibility of one semester's extension for PhD students.

Endeavour Australia Program

The Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) offers a range of competitive merit-based scholarships for international students through its Endeavour Program.

Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (EIPRS)

The Australian government's EIPRS program provides tuition fees and is available to top quality international postgraduate students who wish to enrol in a research degree in Australian universities. The studies undertaken must be in subject areas identified as part of the University current and emerging research strengths.

Applications are assessed on academic merit and research potential. In addition to the EIPRS, the University of Sydney awards International Postgraduate Award (IPA) to EIPRS holders. The IPA is a living allowance/stipend scholarship awarded to all EIPRS holders.

In addition to the EIPRS awards, commencing students may also be considered for the University of Sydney International Scholarship (USydIS). The USydIS is open to all research disciplines, however participation in the USydIS program each semester is at the discretion of the Dean of each faculty. No application form for the USydIS is required and eligible applicants will be considered during the EIPRS selection process.

The USydIS will cover tuition fees and a living allowance similar to the EIPRS.

For more information please refer to the University’s Scholarships Office website.

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