Monash University Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship 2026, Australia
The Monash University – Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship is a prestigious research funding opportunity designed to support high-impact doctoral research in collaboration with one of Australia’s leading cultural and scientific institutions. This scholarship is offered through the Robert Blackwood Partnership, a collaboration between Monash University and Museums Victoria, and provides financial support to PhD candidates whose research engages with Museums Victoria’s collections or research programs.
The scholarship is open to both domestic and international students undertaking doctoral or research master’s degrees at Monash University in Australia.
Degree Level
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
- Research Master’s Degree
Available Subjects
The scholarship supports research projects connected to Museums Victoria’s collections and research themes, covering two broad academic areas:
Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
- History
- Archaeology
- Anthropology
- Museum Studies
- Cultural Heritage
- Indigenous Studies
- Social Sciences
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Paleontology
- Environmental Science
- Biology
- Geology
- Data Science
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
Projects must be co-supervised by Monash University and Museums Victoria or substantially focused on Museums Victoria’s collections.
Benefits
The Monash–Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship provides:
- $5,000 per year stipend to support living costs
- Funding in addition to other research scholarships (top-up)
- Opportunity to conduct research using one of Australia’s largest museum collections
- Access to Museums Victoria’s curators, facilities, and public engagement platforms
- Professional development and research collaboration opportunities
Eligible Nationalities
Open to:
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- Australian humanitarian visa holders
- International students
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a commencing or continuing PhD student (or eligible Research Master’s student) at a Monash campus in Australia
- Be within the first two years of candidature (for enrolled students)
- Be enrolled full-time (part-time only allowed for medical or significant carer responsibilities)
- Be working on a project that is:
- Co-supervised by Monash University and Museums Victoria, OR
- Substantially focused on Museums Victoria’s collections
- Be making satisfactory academic progress
- Be willing to participate in Robert Blackwood Partnership activities
Number of Scholarships
Each year, two scholarships are awarded:
- One in Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
- One in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Application Procedure
To apply for the Monash–Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship, follow these steps:
- Discuss your research project with a relevant Museums Victoria curator
- Obtain a letter of support from Museums Victoria
- Obtain a written recommendation (maximum one A4 page) from your Monash supervisor(s)
- If you do not have an existing contact at Museums Victoria, email the Research Programs Manager to discuss your project
- If you are a new PhD applicant, you must first receive an invitation to apply from the relevant Monash faculty
- Submit your scholarship application through Monash University’s official application system
Deadline: Applications open once each year, and the deadline varies annually. Applicants should always check the Monash University scholarship page for the current closing date.
