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Scholarships

The ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics is committed to supporting our students with scholarships. All applications for scholarship are carefully and rigorously assessed. Our scholarship rounds are highly competitive, and we are only able to provide scholarship funding for the top applicants.

To view the full list of research scholarships offered by the ANU, please visit the Research scholarships page.

Which scholarships can I apply for?

Domestic scholarships - A domestic (or national) student is someone who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen.

International scholarships - An international student is someone who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or not a New Zealand citizen. All other students, including New Zealand permanent residents, are deemed to be international students.

How do I apply?

When you submit your application for admission to a research program, you will be asked whether you wish to be considered for a scholarship. If you request to be considered for a scholarship we will consider you for all available scholarships.

What are the closing dates?

Domestic - The closing date for the main domestic scholarship round is 31 October each year.

International - The closing date for the international main round is 31 August each year.

The College holds an additional scholarship round in March/April every year. Specific closing dates and further information will be available on these pages.

Your application must be complete by the relevant closing date for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be assessed for scholarship under any circumstances. There are often delays associated with collecting referee reports and other required documents, so we suggest you aim to have your application completed well in advance of this date.

When do I find out the results?

International applicants can expect to be notified towards the end of October as to whether they were successful in being awarded a scholarship. Domestic applicants should be made aware of the outcome of their application in December.

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• PhD applications in Plant Sciences

Plant Sciences

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD in one of Australia’s premier Plant Science departments? Do you want to work in a world-class, culturally diverse, department alongside world-leading researchers and in a vibrant, liveable (non-congested) city? Then check out the Division of Plant Sciences at the ANU.

Our Science : We provide a broad range of outstanding research opportunities in plant biology at ANU and through collaborations with the broader Canberra scientific community (e.g. our CSIRO neighbours). The plant science community is highly interdisciplinary and contains many world leaders. Our research seeks to understand, across a range of scales, the fundamental biological processes that control plant growth, survival and reproduction, and to translate that knowledge in applied outcomes. The department has four interconnected areas of expertise; plant cell signaling and development; photosynthesis and energy; plant-microbe/pathogen interactions; ecophysiology and ecosystem function. Our science seeks to determine how plants function in managed and natural systems. Our expertise spans gene and protein regulation; signaling, metabolism and cell biology; organ, whole plant, forest and ecosystem biology and how to apply these discoveries in innovative Ag-biotech and environmental management applications.

Our staff , together with visiting global experts, provide students with opportunities to work in world renowned research teams and on cutting edge research projects that are directly or indirectly related to problems in Australian and global biotechnology, agriculture and natural ecosystems. Our PhD program enables students to establish contacts with researchers elsewhere in Australia, overseas and with industry – providing stimulating scientific opportunities within a leading research division. Annual graduate student events, conference travel awards, graduate training workshops and a seminar series enrich the student experience.

Our facilities: are modern and cutting edge . Plant sciences students enjoy the finest research facilities available in Australia. In addition to modern research laboratories, there are expansive state-of-the-art plant transformation, culture, and phenotyping facilities; extensive new glasshouse facilities; advanced microscopy, mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing facilities and an inhouse computing support unit.

Our values : We pride ourselves on providing high-quality supervision and research training to our students. Our PhD students go on to highly productive careers in academia, industry and other professional activities outside of science. We value diversity and inclusivity and have active policies to prevent discrimination. Our faculty and their research teams comprise a thriving community of people from all over the globe and from all walks of life.

Our Location: The ANU is a research-intensive university situated in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. Canberra is a well-resourced regional city (population ~460,000), set amongst beautiful mountains and eucalypt forests. Bike riding and hiking are everyday activities, and we are a two-hour drive away from both winter snowfields and beautiful coastal beaches. Canberra’s birdlife is stunning and its inner city kangaroo population expansive. Despite its regional setting, Canberra is a vibrant, multicultural city and home to many National attractions and centres. There are frequent cultural evenings, festivals, art exhibits, music events, and world-class restaurant and coffee scenes.

If you are interested in doing a PhD : then check out the Prospective supervisors and research area list below. Once you identify a topic of interest, email the lead researcher (prospective supervisor) to find out more detail on what projects are available. In your email attach a copy of your CV, a copy of you academic transcripts (a downloaded “non-official” version is sufficient at this point) and include in the email a few sentences on what your research interests are and what you like about the research area of the prospective supervisor. Once you have organised a project and supervisor you will work with them to write a 1-2 page research project outline that you will need to submit with your application (see below for details on how to apply online). If you are an international student and have the possibility of applying for PhD funding from your home country or other source please ensure you include this information in the initial email to your potential supervisor.

Am I eligible to apply for a PhD? : Entry into the PhD program is open to applicants with a Bachelor degree that have also completed (or are in the process of nearly completing) an Honours or Masters research (as opposed to coursework) degree. The degree must comprise at least a half year, full time research component and a thesis (8,000-10,000+ words). Applicants with significant years of research experience and publications may be deemed eligible if their achievements can be justified as completing a body of independent research equivalent to that of an Honours/Masters research graduate. Ensure you tick the scholarship box in your PhD application to automatically be considered for a stipend scholarship. Stipend scholarships are highly competitive, especially for international students. Only students awarded a 1 st class thesis (or with H1 equivalent research experience) will be considered for an ANU PhD stipend scholarship. An initial evaluation of how competitive you are for a stipend scholarship can be made by sending a copy of your CV and transcript to the Plant Science HDR convenor Professor Spencer Whitney .

How do I apply for a PhD?

The application form is here , along with general information on how to apply and the details about the Doctor of Philosophy program . Applications are due by 15 th April (midyear round for both international and domestic student applications), 31 st August ( international student application round) or 31 st October (domestic student application round). If you have any questions or problems with your application send an email here .

Prospective supervisors and research area

• Atkin Group - Plant respiration in a changing world
• Borevitz Group - Plant genomics for climate adaption
• Byrt Group – Engineering plant membrane proteins and solute transport to increase yield security
• Farquhar Group – Coordination of CO2 fixation and transpiration in plants
• Furbank Group – Improving photosynthesis and crop yield
• Masle Group – Environmental sensing, systematic signalling and development
• Mathesius Group - Root microbe interactions - symbionts to parasites
• Millar Group - Plant RNA biology
• Nicotra Group - Plant physiological ecology, plant evolutionary biology, reproductive ecology
• Pogson Group - Chloroplast to nuclear signalling: light, drought and carotenoids
• Rathjen Group - Plant immunity
• Schwessinger Group - Plants, fungi, evolution
• Solomon Group - Wheat biosecurity
• Whitney Group - Synthetic Photosynthesis - bioengineering enzymes to adjust carbon fixation
• Williams Group - Plant structural immunology

Mathematical Sciences Institute ANU College of Science

PhD & MPhil

Join our community of over 200 members, PhD students and associates, conducting internationally recognised mathematical sciences research.

• Doctor of Philosophy

Are you considering undertaking a PhD in the Mathematical Sciences? We have many interesting projects for talented postgraduate researchers. This page provides useful information and links discover more about our PhD Program and the application process.

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences is a higher degree by research, and may be taken as a full-time course (one to two years) or as a part-time course (two to four years).

More information

Find a supervisor ».

Find a MSI supervisor for your research degree.

Summer research »

A Summer Research Scholarship at ANU is an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students, providing insight into what studying for an Honours or a graduate research degree is all about.

MSI 'Kick-start' Postdoctoral Fellowship »

Read more about this  short-term employment opportunity  for high achieving early career mathematicians.

Research areas

• Algebra & topology
• Analysis & geometry
• Applied & nonlinear analysis
• Bioinformation science
• Computational mathematics
• Fusion plasma theory and modelling
• Mathematical physics
• Stochastic analysis & risk modelling
• Theoretical astrophysics

Prerequisites

Applicants should be of a high scholastic calibre and should have a capacity for research.

Applicants for research degree scholarships must hold a bachelor degree with at least upper second class Honours, although competition is such that applicants usually have to hold a first class Honours degree to be competitive (and for some scholarships, this is mandatory), or a Master by coursework or a Graduate Diploma (which must be completed at a level equivalent to first or upper second-class Honours) degree from a recognised University. In special cases, applicants with other qualifications and/or research experience may be considered.

English language requirements

You are required to meet our English Language Requirements before you can be accepted for admission. Unless your previous tertiary-level studies were undertaken in English in (for example) Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, you will normally have to sit for either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS - overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL - 570 with TWE 4.5). Some programs may require higher scores.

If you have any questions about your application for admission and where it is up to, you can contact  ANU Admissions Office .

Research program applications are accepted at any time of the year, however there may be deadlines associated with scholarships that should be considered. For this reason, applicants are strongly recommended to apply for both admission and scholarship, before the following deadlines:

• Overseas students: by the 31st of August to be admitted in the following year.
• Australia and New Zealand students: by the 31st of October to be admitted in the following year.

See here for more information on how to apply:

• Domestic applicants
• International applicants

How long does it take?

A PhD program takes at least 2 years and at most 4 years to complete full time. All ANU scholarships end after 3.5 years without any substitute at the RSC.

What scholarships are available?

ANU offers a variety of scholarships to eligible students studying a research degree program. Scholarships are provided to assist students with the cost of their studies.

Domestic students are enrolled into research programs under the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Fee Offset Scholarship . Under the AGRTP, the Australian Government pays 100% of domestic research students' tuition fees.

Scholarships differ in value and may be offered to cover some or all of the costs associated with tuition, accommodation, materials, relocation, cost of living and other expenses.

The Conditions of Award for each scholarship stipulates what the scholarship may be used for.

Two of the most sought after scholarships available are the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Stipend Scholarship  for domestic research students, and the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) International Fee Offset Scholarship  for international research students.

Different scholarships are available depending on whether you are a domestic or international student.

Scholarships available to domestic research students

• AGRTP Stipend Scholarship , applications close 31 October each year
• ANU University Research Scholarship , applications close 31 October each year
• ANU PhD Scholarships , applications can be made throughout the year

The Mathematical Sciences Institute also offers supplementary scholarships to attract talented Australian and New Zealand students of high calibre to pursue postgraduate research within the MSI. The scholarship provides for payment of a supplementary stipend to an outstanding holder of an AGRTP or similar stipend scholarship for the duration of that scholarship. The value of this scholarship is $5,000 per annum.

The maximum duration of this scholarship is three years full-time, with a possible six month extension.

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed a four year undergraduate degree or equivalent at H1 level and who wish to undertake a PhD at the School, are eligible. Domestic students include Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens.

It is not necessary to complete a separate application form as all eligible candidates will be considered.

Scholarships available to international research students

• AGRTP International Fee Offset Scholarship  - covers tuition fees for 3 years and provides Overseas Student Health Cover
• ANU Tuition Scholarships
• ANU PhD scholarships

International applicants are also encouraged to explore the  Endeavour Awards  offered by the Australian Government. Closing date for applications is usually 30 June each year.

How do I apply?

You need to apply online – one application covers both admission and scholarships. You will be automatically considered for all scholarships available to you. For more information please see the Apply tab.

Do I have to pay tuition fees?

Yes, unless you are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or a citizen of New Zealand. International students can be considered for a HDR Fee Remission Merit Scholarship – where Tuition fees will be waived. This will be considered automatically and does not require additional paperwork.

How do I apply for a visa?

Prospective international students need to provide: (i) CV, (ii) academic transcript (colour scans), (iii) TOEFL or IELTS scores, (iv) 3 references of academics, (v) research proposal / project description by ANU supervisor. Once your application has been accepted you will receive a letter of offer for admission – once all conditions have been met (e.g. proof of health cover) and you have signed the paperwork, the ANU will provide an electronic certificate of enrolment (eCOE). You need the eCOE to apply to the Department of Immigration for a student visa.

Do I need Health Cover and how much does it cost?

Yes, International Students need to pay Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in advance for 52 months as part of the visa requirements. You can either arrange your own OSHC, or ask the ANU to arrange it for you. Details will be outlined in your letter of offer for admission. The cost of OSHC for 2017 from the ANU preferred provider (Allianz) is $3,240 for single cover.

Where will I live?

The cost of living in any city obviously depends on needs, lifestyle choices and spending habits. For accommodation on-campus please refer to the following website:  http://www.anu.edu.au/study/accommodation . 

More questions?

For any questions about undertaking a PhD within the Mathematical Sciences Institute, applying for admission and/or scholarships, or general questions about Canberra – please contact our friendly MSI HDR Student Administrator at  [email protected] .

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PhD in Economics

The PhD program in Economics is offered by the Research School of Economics (RSE), and caters to candidates of the highest academic ambition. RSE offers a diverse and stimulating intellectual environment, attracting candidates as well as faculty from all over the world. The School values open academic discourse, encourages collaboration, and is continuously searching for ideas that push and shift the research frontier. Our world-class faculty teach, supervise and support candidates on their journeys to become thought leaders in academia, government, national and international research institutions, think tanks, and business.

CRICOS #: 048345A

Duration: 2 to 4 years full time (4 to 8 years part time)

Before you submit an application for entry to the program, you should:

• ensure you meet the admission requirements outlined below.
• identify potential supervisors – that is, one or two academic economists at ANU who conduct research in your area of interest.

You can find information on researchers and their research areas in the  ANU researchers database  and  RSE staff directory .

While other ANU schools may recommend contacting potential supervisors before submitting an application,  this is not required  for entry into RSE’s PhD program. Instead, you only need to list the name(s) of potential supervisors in your online application form.

Potential supervisors cannot guarantee entry into the PhD program. Admission will depend on the strength of your application relative to others in the pool.

After you’ve completed the steps above, you can proceed with an  online application .

Application deadlines

The first semester of the ANU academic year starts in February, and the second semester starts in July. In general, successful applicants will start their PhD program with RSE in Semester 1 of the following year. While all applications for first semester entry must be submitted  before 31 October,  international applicants wishing to be considered for an  ANU scholarship  should submit their applications  before   31 August .

To be considered for a scholarship, your application must be accompanied by all the supporting documents listed below, including the referee reports. Request for referee reports are triggered and sent to your nominated referees at the time of submission of program application. It is thus important that you submit your application in advance (2-3 weeks) to allow time for your referees to provide their reports prior to the scholarship deadline.

If you’re currently completing an academic degree and haven’t yet received your final results and transcript, you should still submit all available documents before the deadline, and forward remaining results once you receive them. We won’t make a final decision on your application until we’ve received all the required documents.

If you’re admitted to the program, you’ll be expected to attend the pre-PhD summer course, Mathematical Techniques for Advanced Economic Analysis, which is offered during January and February, before the start of the semester.

Due to the sequencing of the coursework required for our PhD program, we’ll only consider applications for entry in the second semester (starting in July) if you have completed the ANU Master of Economics, or if you have a strong background in mathematical and statistical techniques.

ANU Master of Economics students interested in applying for entry into our PhD program should discuss their applications with the RSE Masters convenor  after completing the first year of the Master coursework ). All applications for entry in Semester 2 must be submitted  before  31 March .

The admission requirements for the PhD program in Economics reflect the advanced knowledge in economics that candidates will need to undertake the coursework component of the degree, and the research experience and skills needed to successfully undertake and complete the research thesis.

The minimum qualification requirement for admission to the PhD program in Economics is:

• a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours Division A in economics from an approved university, or
• a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours Division A in mathematics and/or statistics from an approved university, which includes a major or equivalent in economics, and a final grade at least of distinction in a third-year economics course, or
• an ANU Master of Economics, or an equivalent postgraduate qualification  in economics  from an approved university, with results that the convenor deems to be at least equivalent to Second Class Honours Division A at ANU.

Additionally, you will have to show evidence of your:

• advanced knowledge of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory and econometrics
• adequate background in mathematical methods and mathematical economics (at a minimum, at the level of the book  Mathematics for Economists  by Simon and Blume)
• research experience, e.g. in the form of an honours or Master thesis or research project, at a standard equivalent to a Second Class Honours Division A degree.

Admission to the PhD program in Economics is competitive and we can only admit a limited number of applicants each year. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee you a place in the program.

If you don’t satisfy the eligibility criteria, or if you have the required qualifications but would prefer to have a refresher before applying to enter the PhD program, you can choose to first complete the  Master of Economics .

English language requirements

All applicants must satisfy the University’s  English language admission requirements . An international applicant who is not a native English speaker may satisfy these requirements by submitting evidence of an  IELTS  overall score of at least 6.5, and with no component less than 6.0, or a paper-based  TOEFL  score of at least 570, with at least 4.5 in the essay component.

Application and supporting documentation

You must submit your application online via the  ANU Application Manager .

In addition to the standard information required in the online application, you must submit the following supporting documents as part of your application:

• transcripts from previous study
• a brief research proposal that outlines your proposed area of research and the questions that you plan to address as part of your PhD thesis – see guidelines on how to  prepare a persuasive research proposal
• a copy of your honours or Master thesis
• details about your previous study in economics (e.g. course outlines of advanced economic theory and econometrics courses taken, including details of textbooks used)
• official  TOEFL  or  IELTS  results (where applicable) to demonstrate that you satisfy the University’s  English language requirements
• nomination of three referees. A referee report form will automatically be sent to the referees you list in your online application. Your application will be complete and ready for assessment once we receive all documents, including referee reports.

GRE requirement

As part of your application, you must also submit your  GRE General Test  results. The GRE  designated   institution code  for the  ANU College of Business and Economics  is  7833 . You should use this code to submit your official GRE results.

You’re exempt from the GRE requirement if you’ve already completed some of the coursework required for the PhD as part of an ANU Master of Economics or ANU Honours in Economics degree. Similarly, you’re exempt if you’ve completed an Honours in Economics degree from an Australian or New Zealand university, but we encourage you to provide GRE results to improve your chances of admission and scholarship support.

Offers of admission

The HDR (higher degree by research) convenor will review all complete applications submitted by the relevant deadline.

If your application is short-listed, you may be required to attend an interview (face to face or online).

We may send you an offer of admission if you satisfy the eligibility criteria and your area of interest matches those of RSE academics with supervisory capacity. However, since admission is competitive and supervisory capacity is limited, we won’t send any offers of admission until  after the relevant application deadline , irrespective of the date when you submit your application.

The PhD program in Economics consists of two components –  coursework  and  research .

Candidates undertake the research component after successfully completing the required coursework.

PhD coursework component

Pre-phd course.

All admitted candidates are expected to arrive in Canberra four to six weeks before the beginning of the semester and attend the pre-PhD course in Mathematical Techniques for Advanced Economic Analysis.

Candidates undertaking a PhD are normally required to successfully complete eight semester-length courses (including five compulsory courses) over two consecutive semesters of full-time study. Candidates holding the ANU Master of Economics degree may be exempt from part of the coursework requirement, at the discretion of the HDR convenor.

The coursework for the PhD in Economics consists of:

• ECON8011  Microeconomic Theory
• ECON8022  Macroeconomic Theory (Master)
• EMET8014  Advanced Econometrics I
• ECON8021  Topics in Microeconomic Theory
• ECON8001  Topics in Macroeconomics
• EMET8008  Advanced Econometrics II
• ECON8053  Game Theory
• ECON8076  Topics in Game Theory
• ECON8080  Advanced Behavioral Economics
• ECON8050  Economic Growth 
• ECON8009  International Monetary Economics
• ECON8070  Political Economy of Macroeconomic Policy
• ECON8014  Computational Methods in Economics
• EMET8001  Applied Micro-Econometrics
• EMET8010  Applied Macro and Financial Econometrics
• EMET8012  Business and Economic Forecasting
• MATH6110  Analysis 1: Metric Spaces and Applications
• MATH6212  Analysis 2: Lebesgue Integration and Hilbert Spaces
• MATH6214  Advanced Functional Analysis, Spectral Theory and Applications
• ECON8002  Applied Welfare Economics
• ECON8003  Economic Policy Issues
• ECON8010  The Economics of Taxation and Redistribution
• ECON8034  Public Sector Economics
• ECON8041  Labour Economics and Industrial Relations
• ECON8039  Health Economics
• ECON8037  Financial Economics
• ECON8038  Industrial Organisation
• ECON8047  Law and Economics
• ECON8040  Resource and Environmental Economics
• ECON8015  International Economics
• ECON8006  International Trade Theory

PhD research component

Upon successful completion of the compulsory courses and electives, PhD candidates proceed to the research component of their program. PhD candidates with two or more fails in their coursework cannot proceed to the research component.

The research component normally takes 36 months of full-time research. During this time, candidates write their thesis.

In each of the three years of research (when studying full-time), each candidate is expected to present their research at one of the  seminars run by RSE .

Research supervisory panel

When a PhD candidate is admitted to the program, a provisional supervisor – usually the HDR convenor – oversees the candidate’s progress until a primary supervisor is appointed. The Director of the School and the HDR convenor determine the primary supervisor and supervisory panel in consultation with the candidates.

Sometimes candidates change their topic, and this could necessitate changes in the supervisory panel. These changes are coordinated by the primary supervisor or the HDR convenor. All supervisory changes have to be approved by the convenor of the program and the Delegated Authority in accordance with ANU HDR policies and procedures.

RSE research seminar program

The RSE  research seminar series  consists of weekly seminars presented by national and international researchers. PhD candidates are expected to attend and participate regularly in the seminars throughout their candidature. Beginning with their thesis proposal review, candidates are also expected to present in the seminar series at least once every year.

Research integrity training

Within three to six months of enrolment, all PhD candidates must complete the  Research Integrity Training  and pass the exam. Completion of this course and exam is a compulsory milestone for all PhD candidates.

Thesis proposal review

In their second year of study, PhD candidates must submit a thesis proposal for review by their supervisory panel. The purpose of the review is to assess the originality, significance, adequacy and achievability of the candidate’s thesis plan.

The candidate generally submits their thesis proposal in conjunction with their first seminar presentation. The proposal includes a description of the research to be undertaken in the thesis, and a summary of the thesis structure and time plan. Successful completion of the thesis proposal review is required to continue in the program.

Annual progress review

It is University policy that each candidate’s progress be reviewed periodically. In each year of their program, PhD candidates are required to submit an  annual plan and report  as a basis for periodic progress review. This document provides details on work completed by the candidate since the previous review, current progress, and any problems that may impact their research. It also outlines the coursework and research the candidate intends to undertake in the following 12 months.

Oral Presentation

In their final year, candidates are required to give a final  oral presentation  on their research, usually three months before submitting their thesis.

Read more about  research candidate milestones .

Thesis submission and examination

The culmination of the PhD in Economics is a written thesis which, upon completion, is submitted for examination. The thesis is examined by two or three experts in the relevant field.

The PhD degree is awarded on the basis of the examination of the thesis. The examiners would be aware that the candidate has completed coursework requirements, but the level of performance in coursework is not taken into account in examining the candidate’s thesis for the award of the degree.

For more information on the process, visit our page on  submitting a thesis .

For information about scholarships available to HDR candidates, visit our page on  scholarships and fees .

Read details of some of our alumni’s recent  job placements .

A list of current PhD candidates in Economics is available on the RSE website .

PhD Programs

The Research School of Management (RSM) has a PhD program across several management and business disciplines to qualify research candidates keen on investigating and developing new knowledge through substantial specialised research as a contribution to scholarship and business and management practice. RSM has internationally recognised researchers who can supervise doctoral candidates on a diverse range of topics across various disciplines. To complete the PhD program, candidates are required to take four compulsory and two elective courses, be successful in the thesis proposal review process, and write a substantial and high quality thesis is passed by external examiners. 

The Program Learning Outcomes for RSM’s PhD pertinent across its various disciplines are:

Explain their philosophical approach and its incorporation into a significant research journey and the building of their doctoral identity.

Problematise a complex social phenomenon within or across the domains of business and management studies that merits targeted study and research skills to advance scholarship and professional practice.

Identify relevant databases to systematically retrieve applicable and appropriate literature to address research problems and ensuing questions.

Critically and systematically review and discuss the extant body of complex knowledge within a domain to demonstrate the expertise and skills required for scholarly inquiry.

Devise an effective research design, including a justification of the methodology(ies)  developed, adapted and implemented for the scholarly study of the topic of interest.

Actively prioritise the conduct of responsible and ethical research within an environment that promotes scholarship and collegiality

Develop insights into the discipline through expert and specialised analytical, research and technical skills as applied to the research data collected.

Determine the contributions and implications of the research for the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practice.

Propose future directions of research in the discipline based on original insights and  knowledge gained through a critical discussion of the findings of the research.

Produce a manuscript in the form of a monograph or collection of scholarly articles to effectively communicate, disseminate and promote new insights within the academic community and society at large. 

RSM staff have diverse research interests and can provide supervision across a range of topics in disciplines such as:

• Business Information Systems
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Human Resource Management
• International Business
• Organisational Behaviour
• Project Management
• Strategic Management
• Indigenous studies

Our school’s research capabilities have been rated as “well above world standard” by Excellence in Research Australia (ERA). Our academic staff and former students have published their papers in such top journals as:  Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Human Relations, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Research, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management, Journal of Management Information Systems, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Operations Management, Marketing Science, MIS Quarterly, Organization Science, Organization Studies, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, and Production and Operations Management .  

Many of our research students have received recognition for outstanding PhD research (e.g., 3MT People’s Choice Award, Best PhD Proposal Award on Corporate Social Responsibility, ISBM Doctoral Support Award Competition Winner), best paper awards (e.g., Academy of Management, Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy, and Australian Industrial/Organizational Psychology Conferences etc.), and published their papers in top journal publications.

Sir Roland Wilson Foundation

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Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship

Full pay PhD scholarships for Australian public servants.

We offer three-year full pay PhD scholarships to support high performing EL1 and EL2 Australian Public Service (APS) employees to complete PhD research on topics of national significance at The Australian National University (ANU).

Scholars and alumni build connections between academia and the APS, and drive the development of evidence-based public policy.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the PhD Scholarship, applicants must:

• be a substantive Executive Level 1 or 2 employee;
• have at least three years’ service in APS; and
• have been admitted to a PhD program at ANU, commencing in Semester 1 2025.

Key documents

• 2024-25 Application Form
• 2024-25 Application Form (accessible version)
• Sir Roland Wilson scholarship information pack
• Sir Roland Wilson scholarship FAQs

Scholarship program selection process overview and key dates

October 2023 - March 2024

Online information sessions held between October 2023 and February 2024 11 October 2023 23 November 2023 1 February 2024

PhD and MPhil Research Proposal Writing Workshop 9 January 2024 Please register to attend via the links above. ANU applications open for scholarship applicants Candidates need to develop a research proposal. The research topic should be of public interest and strategic priority, of relevance and enduring interest to the APS. For more information about topics to consider, refer to the Scholarship Information Pack. Candidates should identify and liaise with an academic supervisor as they develop their research proposal. All candidates need to submit a  completed  application for an ANU PhD program by 31 March 2024. More information about applying to ANU is available on the ANU website . Please allow enough time to prepare your ANU PhD application so that it is complete by 31 March 2024. Once you submit your application, email the Foundation with your ANU application number.

31 March 2024

PhD applications close for scholarship applicants.

April – July 2024

Internal agency selection processes

Once you have a letter of offer confirming you have been accepted into the program you have selected at ANU, you need to apply through your agency.  Complete the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Scholarship Application Form and submit it to your agency with supporting documents.

Agencies select candidates to put forward for shortlisting and interview by the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel.

Agencies look for the following attributes when selecting applicants for shortlisting:

- a record of high performance within the APS and leadership potential. - a demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of a career in the APS. - possession of academic credentials and a capacity to conduct high quality, sustained research, with acceptance into an approved PhD program at ANU. - identification of an area of research that is of public interest and strategic priority, of relevance and enduring interest to the APS.

August 2024

Agencies send nominations to the Foundation

The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel reviews the nominations and invites shortlisted candidates to interview. Shortlisted candidate interviews

September 2024

Candidates notified of outcomes

Successful candidates will be offered a Scholarship to commence the following February.

November 2024

New scholar orientation

February 2025

Scholars start the scholarship program and their studies

Administrative arrangements

Scholars and their agency enter into a Deed of Agreement stipulating the agency’s conditions of release for you to participate in the scholarship.

Sir Roland Wilson scholarships are full-pay scholarships. Scholars receive financial support from their agency, paid either as salary (at the scholar’s substantive grade) or as an equivalent financial payment. Taxation, superannuation and other employment conditions continue to apply, as per the relevant enterprise agreement. The Australian Public Service Commission provides advice to scholars’ agencies regarding the drafting of the Deeds of Agreement.

Scholarships are awarded in accordance with ANU Conditions of Award. 

Email us [email protected]

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PhD Scholarships - Applications Open

Two PhD Scholarships are currently available through the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute and the  ANU Centre for European Studies . 

Valued at $26,140pa, the ADSRI scholarship is focused on the “Changes in payments, family dynamics and wellbeing following major child support reform: a longitudinal investigation of behavioural and attitudinal responses”. 

The ANU Centre for European Studies is offering a PhD scholarship for a student to undertake a doctoral program funded by a grant from the European Union, valued at $22,500pa. 

Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (APAI) PhD Scholarship

The APAI PhD Scholarship is available with the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute (ADSRI).

Applications are now open for a 3-year APAI PhD scholarship within ADSRI at ANU. The scholarship is funded by a multidisciplinary Australian Research Council Linkage grant titled “Changes in payments, family dynamics and wellbeing following major child support reform: a longitudinal investigation of behavioural and attitudinal responses”. 

The Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (APAI) PhD Scholarship is a three year scholarship funded by a multidisciplinary Australian Research Council Linkage. The scholarship is $26,140 per annum and available for three years.

Applications close Friday 18 June 2010. 

For more information on the Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (APAI) PhD Scholarship.

ANU Centre for European Studies PhD Scholarship  

The ANU Centre for European Studies is offering a PhD scholarship for a student to undertake a doctoral program funded by a grant from the European Union.

The project will support the Centre's aim to promote the study of the European Union in one of the following general areas: law, politics, history, culture, business, economics and Europe's role in the Asia Pacific. Applicants must hold an Honours Degree in a relevant discipline.

The ANU Centre for European Studies scholarship provides a stipend of $22,500 per annum for three years.

Applications close on Wednesday 30 June 2010

For more information on the ANU Centre for European Studies PhD Scholarship.

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ANU International Chancellor’s Scholarship 2024-25 for International Students:

Applications are invited to apply for the ANU International Chancellor’s Scholarship 2024-25 in Australia . All International Students from all over the world are eligible to apply for the ANU International Scholarship at Australian National University . Students those who want to Pursue their Bachelors , Master and PhD coursework degree programs offered by the University The award is available for intake of September 2025 . Also apply for Europe Scholarships for International Students 2024-25 | Study Free in EU .

200 scholarships are offered by Australian National University for students from all over the world. This award is designed to support talented and ambitious students financially. ANU will provide an amount of up to $25,000/Year toward tuition fee.

The Australian National University (ANU) was founded in 1946 by Australian Parliament. It is a  national research university . ANU is the  one of the best Research institutions  in the world. According to QS World University Ranking ANU was  ranked 1st in Australia  and  49th in the world . This university has produced a lot of leaders and scholars.  Must check KPMG Global Internship Program 2024 (Fully Funded) .

ANU International Chancellor’s Scholarship 2024 Details:

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Don’t miss this great opportunity Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University 2025 in UK (Fully Funded) .

Also check 3310 BS MS PhD United Kingdom Scholarships 2024-25 (Fully Funded) .

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ANU International Chancellor’s Scholarship 2024-25 in Australia for students all over the world will provide scholarship of worth $15,000 to $25,000 per Year to the successful applicants. University will provide 200 awards .

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Click Here to check which documents are required to take admission in Australian National University. English Language Requirement for getting admission in ANU.

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Application deadline:.

The last date to apply for Australian National University Scholarship in Australia is 31st December 2024 .

How to Apply for ANU Chancellor’s Scholarship?

To apply for ANU International Chancellor’s Scholarship 2024-25 in Australia applicants need to take Admission at ANU in any Degree program offered by University. After getting offer letter students will automatically be considered for scholarship according to their eligibility criteria. The Official Advertisement link is given below:

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There are three pathways into the  Doctor of Medicine and Surgery .

Bachelor of Health Science

The  Bachelor of Health Science  is a distinctive science degree which will position you as a future leader in tackling health problems of national and global significance. It draws upon the world-leading strengths of ANU in medical education, biomedical science, population health, psychology, social science and public policy to prepare you for a future in medical professions.

The Bachelor of Health Science (BHLTH) offers a pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program at ANU without having to sit the GAMSAT. This pathway is not a formalised double degree, but a pathway between two separate degrees. The pathway is open to both domestic and international students.

Up to 30 domestic students from the BHTLH will receive an offer to the MChD program each year. Ten (10) of these places will preferentially be offered to students from a rural background.

Up to 20 International places are available for international students through this pathway each year.

All offers are awarded based upon a student’s academic performance within the Bachelor of Health Science program, an interview process and their responses to the selection criteria.

Students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.

For more information, please read the  Bachelor of Health Science Pathway Guidelines .

Application for the pathway close 30 July each year.  Apply here .

Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Science

The  Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) – Science  or PhB is a unique program that allows intellectually ambitious students to explore their interests, develop research skills and benefit from one-on-one mentoring with leading academics.

The PhB in a science-related discipline offers a pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery without having to sit the GAMSAT. This pathway is not a formalised double degree, but a pathway between two separate degrees. The pathway is open to both domestic and international students.

Up to 10 domestic students from this pathway will receive an offer to the MChD program each year. International students are considered in addition to the domestic places.

All offers are awarded based upon a student’s academic performance within the PhB program and an interview process. To ensure the school meets the government initiative of admitting students from a rural background, preference may be given to students who meet the rural background criteria.

Student must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.

For more information, please read the  Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) Pathway Guidelines .

Application for the pathway close 30 July each year. Please complete the application form available within the guidelines and submit to  [email protected]

Tuckwell Scholarship

The ANU provides a pathway for  Tuckwell scholarship  recipients to study the postgraduate Medicinae ac Chirurgiae Doctoranda (MChD), latin for Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program after completion of their ANU undergraduate degree(s).

The Tuckwell-MChD pathway is not a formalised double degree but an assured pathway between an undergraduate degree at the ANU to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery Program. This pathway is open to domestic students only.

For more information, please read the  Tuckwell Pathway Guidelines .

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Student Conversations: an International Women’s Day Special

International Women’s Day is a chance for us to reflect, celebrate, value and continue to empower women and girls in our society to realise their full potential, according to PhD student Kate Pennington. In particular, the transformative power of education and its impact on shaping a brighter future for women and girls.

“Having an education enables women and girls to not only realise their full potential, but to be able to chart their own path. The empowerment derived from education not only elevates individual lives but contributes significantly to the broader fabric of an inclusive society” says Kate.

This International Women’s Day we chat with Kate Pennington about how she is furthering her education through a PhD at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. As a Sir Roland Wilson scholar from the Department of Health and Aged Care, Kate brings a wealth of experience having previously worked as an epidemiologist, contributing to public health responses and policies concerning communicable diseases.

What are you investigating for your PhD?

My research is examining previous pandemic influenza planning assumptions to the characteristics and public health responses for COVID-19. The rationale for this is that historically pandemic planning focussed on influenza viruses, however, the unique attributes of COVID-19 meant that responses had to be rapidly re-orientated. Additionally, I am also seeking to examine evidence requirements and decision-making structures to enhance public health decision making for future pandemics.

Why did you decide to undertake further study?

Leading a team of epidemiologists and data analysts as part of the pandemic response provided a continuous opportunity to reflect on the challenges that pandemics pose, especially their unpredictable and dynamic nature. This experience underscored the need to ensure that pandemic planning encompass both pathogen-agnostic and pathogen-specific considerations, and that decision-making is able to be supported by robust evidence sources.

My decision to pursue a PhD at NCEPH was driven by a desire to delve deeper into this topic. It also presented a unique opportunity to extend and refine my public health knowledge and expertise. Studying at NCEPH has also afforded me with broader development and knowledge enrichment opportunities.

You are a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar, can you tell us about that?

The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship supports people from the Australian Public Service to pursue research on topics of national significance, as well as fostering the development of future thought leaders. By undertaking a PhD at ANU as a Sir Roland Wilson scholar, my research not only has the potential for impactful outcomes, but also furthers my professional skills and capabilities, as well as enhancing connections between academia and public policy.

What have you enjoyed most about your PhD so far?

Studying at NCEPH has been invaluable, providing access to academics in various domains and the opportunity to not only broaden my thinking but to also reset my foundational knowledge. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to study full-time. Having this time has not only enabled me to thoroughly explore my topic, but to also enhance connections between my professional experience with those experiences of the academics here.

What is the benefit of undertaking a PhD mid-career?

Embarking on a PhD mid-career has been an incredibly enriching experience. It has allowed me not only to delve deeper into a field that I am already very passionate about, but I have been able to leverage my professional background to ensure my research will be impactful. I would encourage anyone who is passionate about their field and wanting to advance their knowledge and inform impactful outcomes to consider undertaking a PhD.

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ANU desalination breakthrough to bolster global water security as planet warms

A simpler and more cost-efficient method for removing salt from seawater using heat,  developed by scientists from The Australian National University (ANU), could address unprecedented global water shortages.      By 2025, 1.8 billion people will likely face what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) calls “ absolute water scarcity .”     To help combat the water crisis, ANU researchers have developed the world’s first thermal desalination method, where water remains in the liquid phase throughout the entire process.    The research, published in Nature Communications , demonstrates how the power-saving method is triggered not by electricity, but by moderate heat generated directly from sunlight, or waste heat from machines like air conditioners or industrial processes. 

Lead Chief Investigator, Dr Juan Felipe Torres, a world-leading mechanical and aerospace engineer who first proposed the concept of thermodiffusive desalination, said the phenomenon behind this technology, called ‘thermodiffusion’ or ‘the Soret effect’, was discovered in the 19th century yet has remained underutilised.    “We’re going back to the thermal desalination method but applying a principle that has never been used before, where the driving force and energy behind the process is heat,” he said.    “Thermodiffusion was a phenomenon first reported in detail in the 1850s by Swiss scientist Charles Soret, who experimented with a 30-centimeter water tube where one part of the water was colder and the other hotter.    “He discovered that the salt ions move slowly to the cold side.”  To test whether this effect can be used for water desalination, the researchers pushed seawater through a narrow channel heated from above to 60 degrees and cooled from below to 20 degrees.    “Diffusion was taking 53 days to reach a steady state with a 30-centimeter tube which is much too long for our purposes and isn’t scalable,” Dr Torres said.    “Our mission became to find a way to fast-track the diffusion process.”  The ANU researchers found that adjusting the conditions for separation could significantly increase the speed of the diffusion process to just a couple of minutes.     “The key was reducing the channel height from 30 centimetres to one millimetre and adding multiple channels,” Dr Torres said.     ANU PhD student and first author,  Shuqi Xu, said once the salt had migrated to the cooler water, the device reprocessed the warmer, purified water through the channel while the cooler, saltier water was removed.    “Each time the water passed through the channel, its salinity was reduced by three per cent,” Ms Xu said.    “Our research shows that after repeated cycles, seawater salinity can be reduced from 30,000 parts per million to less than 500.”    According to the ANU researchers, current desalination technologies – where salt is filtered through a membrane – require large amounts of electric power and expensive materials that need to be serviced and maintained.     “Eighty per cent of the world’s desalination methods use reverse osmosis, which adds complexity and is costly to run,” Dr Torres said.     “If we continue fine-tuning the current technology without changing the fundamentals, it might not be enough.     “A paradigm shift is essential to sustain human life over the next century.”    With further testing, the researchers hope to produce the first commercial unit within eight years.     The research has received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia’s Science and Technology for Climate Partnership (SciTech4Climate) program. The project also received support from the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS).   “The project has deployed a commercial state-of-the-art solar-driven desalination unit to Tonga, to pilot its application for agriculture and drought mitigation strategies,” Dr Mona Mahani, from ICEDS, said.  

Other stories you might like to read

• Programs and Courses

Doctor of Philosophy, Research School of Physics

A single four year research award offered by the Research School of Physics

• Length 4 year full-time
• Minimum 192 Units
• Academic plan 9680XPHD
• Post Nominal Doctor of Philosophy
• CRICOS code 048379B
• AsPr Patrick Kluth
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• Introduction

Employment Opportunities

Career options, learning outcomes, further information.

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Admission Requirements

Scholarships.

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Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy requires the submission and successful examination of a thesis of up to 100,000 words.

Study consists of two to four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

Potential candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with at least upper second class Honours or equivalent and demonstrate the capacity to undertake independent research (First Class Honours is usually required).

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students .

You may be granted admission if you can demonstrate that you have a background equivalent to these qualifications.

If you think you qualify, check out our guidance on how to apply .

Indicative fees

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the  Services and amenities fee  (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

ANU offers a wide range of  scholarships  to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the  Scholarships  website.

Exceptional research degrees at ANU

The Australian National University provides PhD students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support . When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.

As a PhD student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development .

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Career options following the Doctor of Philosophy include many opportunities in addition to an academic path.   Some of our alumni work within the public service as analysts or work as software developers within industry.

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Australia joins international continental scientific drilling program.

Australian scientists now have access to a more complete understanding of our planet, as Australia becomes a member of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). The historic agreement was signed in May between ICDP and the Australian National University, on behalf of ANZIC - the Australia New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium.

The commitment, amounting to $1.2 million AUD over four years, is provided through AuScope (Australia’s provider of geoscience research infrastructure) who is enabled by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).

“ICDP is a monumental international scientific collaboration involving over 20 countries. Across almost three decades it has probed into the Earth to help us understand the life of our planet - its processes, history and future,” says Dr Ron Hackney, ANZIC Director, representing Australia at its first ICDP international meeting in Pune, India, this week. “Joining this international effort is an exciting and significant moment.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Australia to ICDP,” says Professor Marco Bohnhoff, ICDP Executive Director. “Their participation will enhance our collective efforts to unravel the Earth’s mysteries and address global challenges. While there had been collaborations with Australian geoscientists on a project level in the past, joining the continental drilling community will open up new opportunities to tackle ICDP’s key science themes that focus on deciphering geohazards and Earth evolution as well as mitigating global warming and contributing to the energy transition.”

“AuScope is very excited to enable Australia’s membership of ICDP,” adds Dr Tim Rawling, CEO of AuScope. “We see this is a critical opportunity for Australian researchers. It will provide international collaborative opportunities for our geoscience research community who have a long history in deep Earth sampling in the Australian context.”

“The Australian research community is eager to be a part of ICDP,” explains Dr Hackney. “Some important questions about our planet, environment and climate can’t be answered without examining the deep core samples of sediments and rock accessed by this program.”

“These long-buried sediments and ancient rocks hold the Earth’s memory – they allow us to see how the Earth has changed, how continents have moved, and understand its life, chemistry, and climate.”

“Through ANZIC, Australian researchers already had access to core samples extracted from beneath the sea. With ICDP membership, we can look to probe into the land and lakes as well.”

“Together, it will give us new opportunities to examine our coastal zones, to better understand the interplay between freshwater and saltwater, patterns of drought and increased bushfire risk, and safeguard our coastal communities and infrastructure.”

“ICDP core samples will also allow Australian scientists to improve projections of future climate, sea-level and environmental changes by ground-truthing climate models with insights from the past,” Dr Hackney says.

“It’s an important opportunity for our scientists to participate in world-class projects around the globe and bring the knowledge and expertise home.”

This article was first published by ANZIC. See the orginal .

Master of Science in Earth Sciences

Delve into the complex systems and processes that shape our planet - and graduate with a prestigious qualification from Australia’s leading university.

Torrents of Antarctic meltwater are slowing the currents that drive our vital ocean ‘overturning’ – and threaten its collapse

New research, published today in the journal Nature, projects a slowing of the Antarctic overturning circulation and deep ocean warming over the next few decades. This could change our climate and marine environment in profound and potentially irreversible ways.

Getting to the core of climate history

PhD researcher Jess Hargreaves digs out coral skeletons to understand how rainfall patterns in the South-East Indian Ocean region have changed over time.

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