Research students

University-wide Research Scholarships

Australian Postgraduate Awards

Awards are available for a period of two years for a master level research degree and three years for doctoral research degrees. This award offers a tax-free living allowance (indexed annually) and support for relocation and thesis production.

USC funded APA equivalent scholarships may also be awarded to meritorious candidates both during the annual scholarship round and outside the annual scholarship round at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Eligibility and selection criteria: To be eligible for an Australian Postgraduate award, applicants must:
  • hold a Bachelor degree with honours class II Division I, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience; and
  • recipients must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Selection criteria includes:
  • Undergraduate achievement
  • Research focus
  • Publications
  • Referees reports
  • Most recent degree
  • Relevant professional research experience
Value: A$24,653 per annum tax free (2013 full-time rate)
Application:

To access application forms and information, please select the appropriate applicant type below:

Domestic Applicants

International Applicants
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report Form (Word 247KB)
Closing date: Applications for the mid-year intake close on Friday 14 June at 5pm.  Applications for 2014 will open in August 2013. 
Enquiries:

Contact the Office of Research for more information.

International applicants should also visit the DIAC website for important information on studying in Australia.

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Elite Editing Thesis Write-up Scholarship

The Elite Editing Thesis Write-up Scholarship provides financial assistance for one postgraduate student per year for a period of 12 weeks to free them from other forms of employment and allow them to concentrate solely on the task of writing their thesis.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an Elite Editing Thesis Write-up scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full time in a higher degree by research at an Australian university.

Part-time students are eligible to apply for the scholarship only in circumstances where the applicant is able to demonstrate heavy carer commitments or a medical condition that precludes them from studying part time.

Students may be either internal or external students.

Both international and domestic students are eligible to apply.
Value:

A$6,000 total, paid $1,000 per fortnight tax free for six fortnights (students who do not hold another scholarship); OR

A$3,600 total, paid $600 per fortnight for six fortnights (students who do hold another scholarship).
Application:

To apply for this scholarship, please complete the Elite Editing online application form.
Closing date: Applications open on 1 January and close on 30 June each year. 
Enquiries: Please contact Elite Editing for further information.

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Faculty Scholarships and Awards

Nutrition and Dietetics Research

Applicants are invited for higher degrees by research (Masters or Doctor of Philosophy) in aspects of nutrition and dietetics, including, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, food service management, public health nutrition, or sports nutrition. Research projects are not pre-defined, however, it is expected that students will have some relevant clinical experience in the discipline of nutrition and dietetics and will bring this experience as well as their own interests to bear in their research.

This scholarship will be available full time or part time for an equivalent period to allow for students continuation in clinical practice throughout their candidature.

Eligibility and selection criteria: To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
  • be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand
  • hold a Bachelor degree with honours class II Division I, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience; and
  • recipients must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Selection criteria includes:
  • Undergraduate academic achievement; and
  • Research Focus; and
  • Publications; and one of
  • Most recent degree; OR
  • Relevant work experience (at least one year full time equivalent in clinical practice)
Value:
  • A$24,653 in 2013, commensurate with APA rate.
Application:

To access application forms and information for applicants, please select the appropriate applicant type below:

Domestic Applicants

This scholarship is not available to international applicants.
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report Form (Word 247KB)
Closing date: Applications close at 5pm on Friday 14 June 2013
Enquiries:

Contact Associate Professor Fiona Pelly (fpelly@usc.edu.au) for more information.

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Monitoring of Viral Disinfection During Water Treatment Processes PhD Scholarship

A PhD scholarship is available for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to create and apply new and existing molecular technologies for the monitoring of viral disinfection during water treatment processes. This inter-institutional project is particularly interested in applying new technologies to the challenge of viral monitoring in traditionally low-resource settings. The project is well suited to a student with a virology/microbiology and molecular biology background, and experience with new molecular methods such as next-generation sequencing and isothermal amplification. Experience with the latest diagnostic technologies would be advantageous and highly regarded.

The successful applicant will be enrolled at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), and will be a part of a collaborative trans-disciplinary team of international researchers at the Smart Water Research Centre, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus. Travel between these two locations will be required. The student may also liaise with industry partners and travel to various water treatment facilities throughout Australia including urban, regional and remote locations.

Eligibility and selection criteria: To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
  • hold a Bachelor degree with either first class honours,or a Master of Science (research) in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or equivalent, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience
  • have an in-depth knowledge and demonstrate a strong background in molecular biology, bioinformatics and/or biochemistry
  • demonstrate experience in virology/microbiology, particularly traditional virology detection methods such as viral culturing, plaque assays, realtime PCR, ELISA, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis
  • be motivated, well organised and have an interest in molecular technologies
  • applicants from a non-English speaking background must demonstrate English proficiency (e.g. minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each no subtest)
  • knowledge and experience with new molecular methods such as next-generation sequencing and isothermal amplification, as well as the latest diagnostic technologies will be highly regarded.
  • The successful applicant must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast to maintain eligibility for this scholarship.
Selection criteria includes:
  • Undergraduate achievement
  • Research focus
  • Publications
  • Most recent degree
  • Relevant professional research experience
Value:
  • Stipend (living allowance) A$24,653 per annum tax free for three years (2013

         full-time rate); and

  • Tuition fees for the standard duration of the PhD program (three years);
  • Standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy (international student)
Application:

To access application forms and information for applicants, please select the appropriate applicant type below:

Domestic Applicants

International Applicants
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report Form (Word 247KB)
Closing date: Applications close on Friday 10 May 2013
Enquiries:

Contact Dr Joanne Macdonald jmacdon1@usc.edu.au for more information.

International applicants should also visit the DIAC website for important information on studying in Australia.

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Exercise and Muscle Capillary Growth in Peripheral Arterial Diseases

This scholarship provides an opportunity to undertake a PhD or Master by Research in the areas of exercise physiology and cardiovascular disease. The research program will investigate the relationship between exercise, blood flow and muscle capillary growth in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and/or Abdominal Aortic Anuerysm (AAA). This is a unique opportunity that will provide experience and training in clinical and laboratory based research methods.

As the successful candidate you will be based at School of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast. You will join the National Health and Medical Research Council funded Centre for Research Excellence for Peripheral Arterial Diseases (NCRE-PAD), and will work in close collaboration with research partners from James Cook University, the University of Queensland and with other national and international collaborators.

Various aspects of skeletal muscle metabolism and morphology, exercise capacity and cardiovascular

dynamics

will be investigated. Applicants should have experience and an interest in one or more of the following areas - exercise physiology, exercise prescription, human physiology or biochemistry, and the capacity to learn new techniques in these areas.

Eligibility and
selection criteria:

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

  • hold a Bachelor degree with honours class II Division I, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience; and
  • applicants from a non-English speaking background must demonstrate English proficiency (e.g. minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each no subtest)
  • recipients must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast  

Applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:

  • Undergraduate achievement
  • Research interest(s)
  • Publications
  • Postgraduate degree(s) if applicable
  • Relevant work experience
Value:
  • Stipend (living allowance) A$24,653 per annum tax free for three years (2013

    full-time rate); and

  • Tuition fees for the standard duration of the PhD program (three years);
  • Standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy (international student)
Closing date: Applications close at 5pm on Friday 14 June 2013.
Application:

To access application forms and information for applicants, please select the appropriate applicant type below:

Domestic Applicants

International Applicants
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report (Word 247KB)
Enquiries: Please contact Associate Professor Christopher Askew at caskew@usc.edu.au for more information.

 

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PhD Scholarship in Exercise Physiology

A PhD scholarship is being offered in Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast. The PhD Project will be on the general topic of oxygen distribution and utilisation (at all levels) during exercise, incorporating specific topic(s) of interest to the student. The research will be undertaken within the School of Health and Sport Sciences.

Eligibility and
selection criteria:

To be eligible for the PhD Scholarship in Exercise Physiology, applicants must:

  • be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand
  • hold a Bachelor degree with honours class II Division I, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience; and
  • recipients must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast

 Priority will be given to applicants who:

  • have completed a Bachelor degree with First class Honours or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, research work experience, research publications and other research experience.
Applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
  • Undergraduate achievement
  • Research interest(s)
  • Publications
  • Postgraduate degree(s) if applicable
  • Relevant work experience
Value: A$24,653 per annum tax free (2013 rate), commensurate with APA rate for three years
Closing date: Applications close at 5pm on Friday 18 October 2013.
Application:

Please visit the Domestic Applicants page to access application forms and information. This scholarship is not available to international applicants.
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report (Word 247KB)
Enquiries: Please contact Dr Colin Solomon at csolomon@usc.edu.au or (07) +61 7 5430 1128 for more information.

 

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Scholarships for international students

International Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Awards are available for a period of 2 years for a master level research degree and 3 years for doctoral research degrees. USC funded IPRS equivalent scholarships may also be awarded to meritorious candidates both during the annual scholarship round and outside the annual scholarship round at the discretion of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Eligibility and selection criteria: To be eligible for an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship applicants must:
  • be an international student
  • hold a Bachelor degree with honours class II Division I, or have an equivalent level of attainment via previous study, work experience, research publications, referee's reports and other research experience; and
  • recipients must maintain satisfactory progress as a full-time candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast

Selection criteria includes:

  • Undergraduate achievement
  • Research focus
  • Publications
  • Most recent degree
  • Relevant professional research experience
Value: The annual course cost for the successful applicant's program and a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy.
Application:

Please visit the International Applicants page to access application forms and information.
Referee Report:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships Referee Report (Word 247KB)
Closing date: Applications for 2013 have closed. Applications for 2014 will open in August 2013.
Enquiries: Please email researchtraining@usc.edu.au for more information.
Applicants should also visit the DIAC website for important information on studying in Australia.


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MoET-VIED / USC PhD Scholarship

The Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam (MOET) through its Vietnam International Education Development (VIED) office and University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), are jointly offering postgraduate research scholarships to students from Vietnam who intend to undertake a Doctoral research degree at USC.

Established in 1996, the University of the Sunshine Coast has experienced rapid growth with research a concerted area of expansion. The University continues to strengthen its research capacity and capability in areas of research focus.

From the coastline to the hinterland, the Sunshine Coast is famous for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. And it's all only an hour's drive from Brisbane. Learn more about living on the Sunshine Coast.

 

Value:

The successful applicant will receive the following support for the standard duration of the PhD program (three years full-time):

  • Stipend commensurate with the Australian Postgraduate Award rate, which in 2013 is AUD $24,653
  • AUD $2,000 start up funds on arrival
  • International tuition fees
  • Overseas Student Heath Cover (OSHC)
  • Funding to support research costs from the faculty of enrolment
Enquiries:

Please contact VIED for further information about the application process and closing dates.
Application:

Applicants complete the MoET-VIED / USC HDR Application Form (Word 283KB) and submit this directly to VIED who will then forward

complete

applications to USC after the VIED selection process has been completed.

For assistance to complete the application form, please review the Instructions for MoET-VIED / USCRS applicants (Word 182 KB).


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External scholarships for research students

CSIRO Postgraduate Scholarships

CSIRO offers full and top-up three year postgraduate scholarships to high quality students who are enrolled in a PhD at an Australian university.

Top-up scholarships are available to those doctoral students who gain or expect to gain an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or equivalent university award. Full scholarships may also be available. CSIRO's National Research Flagship Program also offers full and top-up scholarships.

Eligibility: Recipients of postgraduate scholarships are generally required to be Australian citizens or have permanent residency status. However, in fields in which there is a national skill shortage, scholarships may be awarded to overseas candidates provided they are prepared to seek permanent residency during the studentship.
Enquiries: For more information on CSIRO postgraduate scholarships, or details on how to apply, visit the CSIRO postgraduate scholarships website.
Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships are available to Australian citizens to engage in 8 – 12 months of research relevant to an Australian PhD; or undertake an approved course of study in an American higher degree or its equivalent.

These scholarships are aimed at current PhD students, honours students, or honours graduates who are considering postgraduate study in the US.

Visit the Fulbright Commission website for more information.

 

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Endeavour Research Fellowships for Indigenous Australians

The Endeavour Research Fellowships for Indigenous Australians provide financial support for Indigenous postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to undertake short-term research (4-6 months), in any field of study.

The research must be undertaken in participating countries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

Visit the  Endeavour Research Fellowships for Indigenous Australians website for more information.

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USC Indigenous Scholarship - Honours, Higher Degree by Research or Postgraduate

The USC Indigenous Scholarship was established in 2011 to support a new or continuing student wishing to pursue Postgraduate studies, an Honours undergraduate qualification or a Higher Degree by Research (HDR).

Eligibility: Applicants will be assessed based on:
  • Financial need
  • Demonstrated involvement within or for indigenous communities
  • Evidence of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander descent (unless criterion has previously been met)
Eligibility:
  • A commencing student (ie. existing students are not eligible)
  • Must have completed an undergraduate qualification in any discipline
  • Applicants will be considered ineligible if currently in receipt of another major USC or external scholarship (this does not include bursaries)
Value: The scholarship is valued at $4000 for full-time study, to be paid in instalments over 2 semesters (pro-rata for part-time and sessional study). In addition, all course fees and the Student Services and Amenities fee for the relevant semester(s) will be waived.
Closing date: Applications are invited from 1 January to 31 October 2013.
Apply:

For further information, please email scholarships@usc.edu.au or telephone 07 5430 2890. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF documents, before downloading this Application Form (PDF 286KB) *

* For PDF documents you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe Download page.