Funding opportunities

Applications dates change each year, with one round of funding offered early in the year and a later second round offered only where there are funds remaining for that year. Applications are accepted only for a four-week period for each round.

Applications are currently closed. Applications for the main round of PRSS will open on Monday 14 April 2025 and close at 11:59 pm on Friday 9 May 2025.

Funding is available for research activities within the current calendar year. You can apply for funding in advance, for research activities yet to be undertaken within the current calendar year. You can also apply for funding retrospectively, for research activities already undertaken within the current calendar year. You cannot apply for funding for research activities undertaken in a previous calendar year, or due to be undertaken in a future calendar year.

Include all relevant receipts and invoices in your application as supporting evidence. Also include other relevant evidence, such as confirmation of your acceptance to present at a conference.

Ask your supervisor for any guidance you need about preparing your application, as this is part of your research training.

Ensure you have all relevant documentary evidence ready before you start your application, as you cannot submit additional documentation once applications have closed.

Before starting your application, ensure your preferred bank account details are correct in Sydney Student. Go to ‘My finance’, then ‘Your finances’, select ‘Bank details’ and review your stored details, updating as required. If your application is successful, this is where your awarded funds will be deposited. If your bank account details are incorrect or missing, this will cause significant delays in payment of your awarded funds.

Along with your personal and contact information, the application form will ask for:

• your course start date and required thesis submission date
  
• your lead supervisor’s name and email address
• information about any scholarships you hold
• details of the funds you are requesting
• justification for the funds you are requesting
  
• how the activity or equipment to be funded will contribute towards the completion of your degree
• your research-related achievements to date.

In addition to your completed application form, you will need to submit:

• a separate brief statement justifying the need for and planned use of the funds requested and outlining the benefits they will bring to your candidature
• evidence of your research-related achievements to date to demonstrate satisfactory progress relative to opportunity and stage of candidature, such as publications submitted, accepted and/or published, conference presentations, internal reports and other scholarly activities
• a letter or email of support from your supervisor
• If you have not yet completed your Confirmation PEM, provide evidence of any preliminary appraisal activities, such as a supervisor-endorsed printout of milestone completion from RECS
• any other supporting material as indicated in your faculty or school requirements

Combine all required documents ready for upload before you start your application.

Email the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) for further guidance with the application process.

Applications are currently closed. When they next open, the application link for each faculty or school will appear here.

Your application will be assessed and ranked against the eligibility criteria by an academic committee in your faculty or school, and you will be informed of the outcome. This process takes several weeks.

If your application is successful, the funding awarded to you will be paid into your nominated bank account as listed in Sydney Student.