Monash University PhD Scholarships Shaping AI’s Future 2027, Australia
The Monash University PhD Scholarships: Shaping AI’s Future 2027 offer an exciting opportunity for talented researchers to pursue a fully funded PhD in Australia. Monash Arts is offering up to five PhD scholarships for researchers interested in exploring the social, cultural, political, ethical, economic, and environmental implications of Artificial Intelligence.
The scholarships are particularly suitable for applicants from the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) who want to investigate how AI is transforming society and how human values, institutions, cultures, communication, creativity, and politics are shaping the development and use of AI.
Successful candidates will receive a Research Living Allowance of AUD $41,100 per year, based on the 2027 full-time rate. The stipend is tax-free and indexed, with additional allowances available under the applicable Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship conditions.
Scholarship Summary
- Scholarship Name: PhD Scholarships: Shaping AI’s Future
- Host University: Monash University
- Host Country: Australia
- Degree Level: PhD
- Faculty: Monash Arts
- Study Area: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences related to Artificial Intelligence
- Number of Scholarships: Up to 5
- Study Mode: Full-time and on-campus
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Annual Stipend: AUD $41,100 per year
- Stipend: Tax-free
- Campus: Clayton or Caulfield, Melbourne, Victoria
- Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international applicants meeting the eligibility requirements
- Expected Commencement: No later than 12 March 2027
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026, 11:55 pm AEST
- Application Method: Online through My.App
About the Monash AI PhD Scholarships
Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI, is rapidly changing education, employment, culture, politics, communication, relationships, and society.
These PhD scholarships aim to support researchers who can investigate the wider consequences of AI and contribute to discussions about how AI should be developed, governed, and integrated into society.
Monash Arts is looking for innovative and socially conscious researchers who want to examine the human dimensions of AI. The research may address issues such as ethics, politics, culture, communication, social wellbeing, national security, digital inequalities, creative industries, and governance.
The successful candidates will work alongside research teams and internationally recognised scholars at Monash Arts.
Degree Level
The scholarship is available for:- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Full-time doctoral research
- On-campus study in Melbourne
Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered for these scholarships.
Available Subjects
The scholarship welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds in:- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Creative Arts
- Related disciplines connected to the proposed research topic
Applicants should demonstrate an interest in addressing contemporary social, cultural, political, or environmental challenges created or influenced by the rapid development of AI systems.
Research Areas and Suggested Projects
Applicants can propose research that fits within the overall focus of the scholarship. Monash has also provided several suggested research topics, including:
- Co-designing AI companionship to promote young people's social health and wellbeing
- Public resistance to and rejection of AI in everyday life
- AI for inclusive CALD ageing and care communication
- AI and the future of democratic life, including participation, persuasion and public trust
- Generative AI and the future of music and evolving music labour markets
- Human craft, AI and the future of screen aesthetics
- Human labour and automation in the warehouse and logistics industry
- Auditing algorithms to detect and reduce discrimination in AI-driven decisions
- Changing digital inequalities in an age of AI
Applicants are not necessarily restricted to these exact titles, but their proposed research must fit within the scope of the scholarship call and demonstrate a strong connection to the research themes.
Benefits
Successful applicants will receive a Research Living Allowance of AUD $41,100 per annum, based on the 2027 full-time rate.The stipend is:
- Tax-free
- Indexed
- Provided for the scholarship period
Supported by additional allowances under the applicable RTP scholarship conditions
In addition, successful candidates will have access to opportunities associated with Monash University's research environment, including:
- International mobility grants
- Professional development training
- Industry engagement opportunities
- Research collaboration
- Access to Monash's international academic networks
The scholarship has a duration of 3.5 years.
Eligible Nationalities
The scholarship call welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and can be considered by applicants who meet the relevant Monash admission and scholarship requirements.International applicants should ensure that their previous qualifications are equivalent to the required Australian academic standard and that they satisfy the applicable English-language requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following requirements:- Hold an Australian Honours degree or an equivalent international qualification, or a relevant Master's degree.
- Have a qualification in a cognate field aligned with the proposed research topic.
- Have completed a significant research component as part of their previous degree.
- Have achieved First-Class Honours (H1) or an equivalent academic result.
- Meet Monash University's English-language proficiency requirements where applicable.
- Be prepared to undertake the PhD full-time.
- Be willing to study on campus.
- Develop a research proposal that fits within the scope of the scholarship.
- Discuss the proposed research with an aligned prospective supervisor before applying.
- Applicants who already hold a PhD are not eligible.
International applicants should carefully review Monash Arts' PhD admission requirements and English-language requirements before submitting an application.
Research Proposal Requirements
The research proposal is an important part of the application.
Applicants should prepare a proposal that:
- Fits within the scope of the AI scholarship call
- Aligns with one of the suggested research topics where appropriate
- Demonstrates understanding of the proposed research area
- Clearly explains the research problem
- Presents a strong research question or set of questions
- Shows why the research is important
- Demonstrates the applicant's ability to undertake doctoral research
Applicants should discuss their proposal with an appropriate prospective supervisor before submitting their application.
Application Procedure
Applicants should follow these steps to apply:- Review the Monash University PhD admission and scholarship requirements.
- Identify a suitable research topic within the scope of the AI scholarship.
- Review the suggested research projects and identify an appropriate prospective supervisor.
- Contact and discuss your research proposal with the aligned prospective supervisor before applying.
- Prepare your cover letter, research proposal, CV, academic records, English-language evidence, and referee details.
- Apply through the Monash My.App application system.
- Select “Admission Only” as the application type.
- Indicate “Yes” when asked whether you are applying for a scholarship for the research.
- Enter “PhD Scholarships: Shaping AI’s Future” as the scholarship name under Research Program Funding.
- Select the relevant project supervisor as the proposed main supervisor.
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF format.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Final supervision arrangements will be confirmed if the applicant is successful.
Required Documents
Applicants need to prepare the following documents:
- Cover letter explaining their suitability
- Draft research proposal
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- List of publications, if applicable
- Conference presentations, if applicable
- Relevant work experience
- Full academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Official grading system, where available
- Certified copies of relevant academic documents
- English-language proficiency test results, if applicable
- Names and contact details of two academic referees
All supporting documents should be uploaded in PDF format through the application system.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
30 September 2026 at 11:55 pm AEST
Applicants should not wait until the final day because they are required to discuss their research proposal with a prospective supervisor before submitting their application.
Commencement Date
Successful applicants are expected to commence their PhD no later than 12 March 2027.
The scholarship is offered for 3.5 years and requires full-time, on-campus enrolment.
Why Choose Monash University?
Successful candidates will join Monash University, one of Australia's major research universities, and become part of a globally connected academic environment.
Researchers will have opportunities to:
- Work with experienced academics
- Participate in multidisciplinary research
- Access professional development opportunities
- Engage with industry
- Explore international research opportunities
- Contribute to important discussions surrounding AI and society
The scholarship is particularly valuable for researchers who want to study AI beyond its technical development and investigate its broader effects on people, communities, institutions, culture, politics, and society.
