HDR Scholarships

National Industry PhD (NIPhD) Program

The National Industry PhD (NIPhD) Program is an Australian Government initiative that supports PhD candidates to undertake industry-focused research projects co-designed by a university and an eligible Australian business. The purpose is to strengthen collaboration between universities and industry, develop PhD qualified researchers who can work across both sectors and deliver greater research impact.

Applications for Round 8 of the NIPhD Program are open from Monday 13 July to Friday 28 August 2026. Further information is available here.

For enquiries about the NIPhD Program at ECU, please contact the Graduate Research Liaison Officer (GRLO), Ms Vada Ng at s.ng@ecu.edu.au

ECU Application Process

Stream 1 – Industry Linked

To apply for Stream 1, ECU academic staff must first be successful in the ECU Industry Engagement PhD/MBR Scholarship Scheme.

The Guideline and Expression of Interest (EOI) form for the ECU Industry Engagement PhD/MBR Scholarship Scheme are available here.

Stream 2 – Industry Researcher

Academic staff wishing to apply for Stream 2 should contact the Graduate Research Liaison Officer (GRLO) at s.ng@ecu.edu.au for information on the application process.

ECU Internal Expression of Interest (EOI)

For Round 8, ECU EOI applications must be submitted to the GRLO for endorsement by the Dean of Graduate Research no later than COB on Monday, 10 August 2026.

ECU Industry Engagement PhD or MBR Scholarship

The ECU Industry Engagement PhD or MBR Scholarship Scheme provides a pathway for PhD or MBR candidates to link with an industry partner, community organisation or government agency.

HDR Scholarships (RTP and ECUHDRS)

HDR Scholarships (RTP and ECUHDRS) are allocated based on projects to ensure that scholarship allocations align with the research strengths, priorities and objectives of the University.

Project-Based Scholarship Expressions of Interest are open to Research Supervisors in approximately February and June each calendar year. The 2027 Main Round EOI form is CLOSED. Further information and HDR Scholarship Guidelines are available to Research Supervisors on the Expression of Interest for Project-Based Allocation of HDR Scholarships webpage.

The competitive 2027 Main HDR Scholarship Round will OPEN for student applications from early September 2026.

ECU-University of Portsmouth Joint PhD Program - Expression of Interest

(For supervisor to complete)

Please note, the 2027 EOI for this scheme is now OPEN from 22 June to 27 July 2026.

Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers prospective PhD domestic candidates the opportunity to undertake doctoral studies in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth (UoP) through the ECU–UoP Joint PhD Program.

The ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship is open to prospective PhD domestic candidates from all disciplines. Under this scheme, one scholarship will be available at ECU each year for five years, starting 2026.

Please refer to the ECU–UoP Joint PhD Scholarship Scheme Expression of Interest Guidelines for scholarship contributions.

Successful candidates will benefit from joint supervision and gain access to the research expertise, world-class facilities, and support services of both ECU and UoP.

ECU’s competitive scholarship round typically opens in early September each year. For further information see the scheme page.

Research Intranet - For Research Staff