TL;DR: The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) offers the International PhD Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD) for international students studying or commencing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2027. The award provides an annual living stipend of AUD $39,000 plus tuition fees for up to three years of full-time equivalent study. Research proposals should align with UniSQ flagship areas. Applications close on 27 September 2026 via the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System.
Quick facts
- Programme: International PhD Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD)
- Host institution: University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)
- Host country: Australia
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Funding type: Stipend plus tuition fee scholarship for international PhD candidates
- Stipend: AUD $39,000 per annum
- Tuition: Covered for a maximum of three years full-time equivalent study (prior PhD study time is deducted)
- Optional stream: Industry Stream with a mandatory 60-day industry internship
- Closing date: 27 September 2026
- How to apply: UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System (separate from PhD admission)
What the funding covers
According to the official UniSQ scholarship page, stipend and fee support are applied for together in one online application and are not awarded separately. The International PhD Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD) includes:
- A living stipend of AUD $39,000 per annum
- Tuition fees paid by UniSQ for a maximum period of three years full-time equivalent study
- An optional Industry Stream that requires a mandatory 60-day industry internship (a Letter of Support from the industry partner is required; co-funded scholarships and industry-funded stipend top-ups are highly desirable)
- Dedicated scholarship pathways noted by UniSQ for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), and for students with disabilities
Periods of study already undertaken towards the PhD are deducted from the scholarship tenure. UniSQ states that, for the Industry Stream, all required contractual agreements must be in place before the student starts the programme if the award is made under that stream.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the International PhD Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD), applicants must:
- Have completed a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours, or an equivalent level qualification
- Be eligible to be enrolled full-time on-campus in the PhD programme at UniSQ
- Be an international student (not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, and not an Australian permanent resident)
- Commence or continue PhD study in 2027
Applications are welcome in all areas of research, but proposals should align with UniSQ flagship areas. UniSQ asks applicants to discuss the most closely aligned flagship with a potential supervisor and to select that flagship in the application system. UniSQ’s four flagships are:
- Agriculture, Climate and the Environment
- Space, Defence and Advanced Technologies
- Health
- Communities and Regional Development
PhD programme admission is a separate process. You must start (or already be in) the Doctor of Philosophy admission pathway to be eligible for the scholarship. For the Industry Stream, continuing students must be within 18 months of commencing full-time study, or within 36 months if enrolled part-time. UniSQ advises consulting the Senior Coordinator (Commercialisation and Partnerships) before applying to confirm that the planned internship meets university requirements.
Selection criteria
UniSQ assesses applicants on:
- Academic achievement: class of honours or equivalent; postgraduate performance; academic prizes and awards
- Research capability: publications in high-quality journals; conference presentations; research internship experience; creative works where relevant
- Research project and environment: alignment with UniSQ research priorities; relevance to the Australian research context; external support; impact; clear resource needs
- Supervisory team: publication record, complementary expertise, supervisor capacity, and resource support for the proposed research
Key dates
- Scholarship closing date: 27 September 2026
- Intended study period: commence or continue the PhD in 2027
- PhD admission: separate application; UniSQ advises allowing at least 25 working days for Graduate Research School processing
How to apply
Prepare digital copies of the following before you start the scholarship application:
- Statement of Claim (to be completed by the student and supervisor)
- Curriculum vitae, including research publications and/or presentations
- Preliminary Research Thesis Topic Proposal
- Documentation confirming citizenship
- Education qualifications (testamur and academic transcripts for all undergraduate and postgraduate awards)
- For the Industry Stream: a Letter of Support completed by the industry partner
Submit your scholarship application through the UniSQ Scholarship Application Management System by the closing date. UniSQ provides a Scholarship Online Application Manual for step-by-step help inside the portal. In parallel, follow UniSQ’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) admission steps: clarify your topic, confirm entry requirements, contact a potential supervisor, and submit the PhD admission application with supporting documents.
FAQ
Is this scholarship only for international students?
Yes. The International PhD Stipend and Fee Research Scholarship (DPHD) is for international students who are not Australian or New Zealand citizens and not Australian permanent residents. UniSQ publishes a separate Domestic PhD Stipend Scholarship for Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens.
Do I apply for the stipend and tuition fee support separately?
No. UniSQ states that stipend and fee scholarships are applied for as a single application in the online portal and are not awarded separately.
Must my research match a UniSQ flagship?
Applications are welcome across research areas, but UniSQ expects alignment with its flagship areas. Discuss the best fit with your potential supervisor and select that flagship in the application system.
Is PhD admission included in the scholarship form?
No. Entry into the Doctor of Philosophy programme is a separate process. You need to start (or continue) PhD admission to be eligible for the scholarship.
Who can I contact for questions?
Further information is available from the UniSQ Graduate Research School at [email protected].
