Monash University Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship 2026–2027 for International Students

Monash University in association with Museums Victoria is now accepting applications from outstanding international and domestic students for the Monash University  Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship for the 2026  2027 academic year. We are offering a very special award which supports very innovative doctoral research projects that use Museums Victoria’s large collection resources or which have a large scale collaboration element with our curators.

Scholarship Overview

Host Institution: Monash University, Australia

Study Level: PhD

Fields of Study:

• Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Program Duration: 3–4 years (full-time)

Scholarships Available: 2 per year (1 in HASS, 1 in STEM)

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

Location: Australia

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the Monash University Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship will have:

• A four year research and living expense grant of AUD $5,000 per year.
• Museums Victoria's large scale of collections, resources, and curatorial expertise.
  
• At academic and promotional events.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Enroll as a full time PhD student for Research Quarter 1 (the coming year) at a Monash Australian campus.
• Working with Monash University to do a project which also has Museums Victoria as a supervisor or which mainly focuses on Museums Victoria’s collections.
• Be within your first two years of PhD study and have met all course requirements in a timely manner.

Hold one of the following:

• An Honours 1 or 2A degree in related field.
• A Master’s degree which includes a research component for at least 25% of the full time equivalent.
• Qualities which the Graduate Research Committee deems equal.

Meet the English language proficiency requirements:

• General: IELTS 6.5 (each band must be at least 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 79+ (Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18, Writing 21 minimum).
• Arts, Business, Economics: IELTS 7.0 (each component over 6.5) or TOEFL iBT 94+ (Reading 19, Listening 20, Speaking 20, Writing 24 at a minimum).

Be from any country worldwide. Have not held before a Monash or Australian Government Postgrad Research Award for over six months.

Scholarship Obligations

Awardees must:

Comply with Monash University’s RTP Scholarship policy and procedures.

Participate in activities promoting the Robert Blackwood Partnership.

Submit a report on collaboration with Museums Victoria after thesis submission.

Application Process

Step 1: Discuss your research project with a relevant Museums Victoria curator.

Step 2: Obtain:

• A letter of support from Museums Victoria.
• A written recommendation (max. 1 page) from your current or proposed Monash supervisors regarding project relevance and quality.

Step 3: Submit your application via the official Monash University application portal before May 1, 2026.

Required Documents:

• Academic CV
• Official transcripts and degree certificates
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Invitation to Apply (from Monash)
• Research proposal

If you do not have an existing relationship with a Museums Victoria curator, contact Mr. Timothy Stranks at tstranks@museum.vic.gov.au.

About Monash University

Founded in 1958, Monash University is a top-tier public research university and the second-oldest in the State of Victoria. With campuses in Australia, Malaysia, and Italy, and collaborations worldwide, Monash offers world-class research facilities and global networking opportunities.

Official Website

Click here to apply and learn more about the Monash University – Museums Victoria PhD Research Scholarship