UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship 2027 (Australia)

The UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship is the most prestigious doctoral scholarship offered by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Scientia Scholars receive one of the highest PhD stipends in Australia and participate in a unique development program that includes professional skills training, mentoring, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The scholarship supports research across all faculties and disciplines.

Open to domestic and international applicants. Must hold or be completing a Master's degree by research, or a Bachelor's degree with Honours Class 1 or equivalent. Must apply for a full-time PhD at UNSW. Outstanding academic track record required (typically top 5% of cohort). Research publications and experience are highly valued. Must not have previously held a Scientia PhD Scholarship.

• Tax-free stipend of AUD $50,000 per year (indexed annually)
• Full tuition fee scholarship (Overseas Student Health Cover included for international students)
• Up to AUD $10,000 per annum career development fund
• Up to 4 years of funding
• Professional development programs and mentoring
• International research collaboration opportunities

• Online application through UNSW Graduate Research School
• Research proposal aligned with available Scientia project
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• CV / Resume with publication list
• Two academic referee reports
• Evidence of research experience (publications, conference papers)
• English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ overall, 6.0+ per band)

• Be an outstanding domestic or international PhD candidate able to demonstrate high-quality research capability (through qualifications, experience, and outputs) whose proposed research aligns with one of the specific research areas/projects advertised in the round (the scheme is built around nominated supervisors and research areas approved each round)
• Identify and apply to an advertised Scientia research project/area by the round deadline, submitting the required application and supporting materials, and meet UNSW's PhD admission requirements
• Selection is highly competitive on excellence and strategic alignment. The scholarship provides a stipend (around AUD 40,000/year, indexed) plus a development support package (up to about AUD 10,000/year) and tuition coverage