Higher Degree by Research

• These scholarships are open to individuals who are prospective and current ECU students.
• In order to apply for these scholarships, you must have a PhD, Integrated PhD or Master by Research course offer.
  *If course admission applications have been submitted prior to the scholarship closing date but not assessed prior to scholarship ranking, applications will be considered. Applications for admission to the course may be held until scholarship applications have been assessed. Course and scholarship offer are likely to be issued together when the scholarship round outcome is announced, and only to applicants who are successful in receiving a scholarship offer. Please note, domestic applicants will be prioritised in the allocation of scholarships.

To apply for these scholarships, you must either apply for a specific project offered by the relevant School or propose your own project. You may propose your own project but alignment with the research priorities of the proposed supervisors, School and University will be assessed. You must contact the proposed supervisors prior to submitting your application via the online portal.

You are required to follow these steps.

1. Check the application process and eligibility criteria on the Scholarships webpage.
2. Review the advertised research projects below.
3. Contact the named HDR Supervisor or Project Lead to discuss the advertised projects. You can only be nominated for one project.
4. The HDR Supervisor or Project Lead, in consultation with others, will review and assess applications to identify suitable candidates.
5. If the HDR Supervisor or Project Lead determines you are the suitable candidate, you will receive a confirmation email inviting you to apply. This invitation to apply is confirmation of your scholarship application only.
6. Submit your application via the ECU Online Scholarship Application Portal.
   • The portal for the HDR Scholarships Round (RTP and ECUHDRS) will OPEN for student applications from early September 2026.

If proposing your own project, you are required to follow these steps.

1. Check the application process and eligibility criteria on the Scholarships webpage.
2. Contact the potential HDR Supervisors for your proposed project to determine their suitability, alignment and availability.
3. Obtain a confirmation email from your proposed supervisors indicating a willingness to supervise your proposed project. You will require this confirmation email prior to applying. This invitation to apply is confirmation of your scholarship application only.
4. Submit your application via the ECU Online Scholarship Application Portal.

Please allow sufficient time to finalise your course and scholarship application. Importantly, several steps are required prior to final submission of the scholarship application, as outlined above. Scholarship applications must be completed by advertised closing date. The 2027 Main HDR Scholarships Round (RTP and ECUHDRS) will OPEN for student applications from early September 2026.

Current students should discuss being considered for scholarship with their supervisory team. To be considered for an ECU HDR scholarship, current students need to be on a green progression status.

A current student is defined as a candidate who is actively enrolled in their course and has not yet submitted their thesis. Current students may apply for scholarships for their existing course.

If you are enrolled in a course that is not the PhD associated with your scholarship application, you must apply as a Future HDR candidate and meet PhD admission requirements.

The 2027 Main HDR Scholarships Round (RTP and ECUHDRS) will OPEN for student applications from early September 2026.

Submit your application via the ECU Online Scholarship Application Portal prior to the advertised closing date.

Any enquires can be directed to enquiries@ecu.edu.au.