Industry and project-specific scholarships
The Graduate Research School is pleased to present a number of co-funded industry scholarships.
Federation University is pleased to partner with Decon Corporation Pty Ltd to offer a PhD scholarship in Financial Technology
Scholarship details
Stipend: $38,000 tax free, per annum (paid fortnightly)
Project support: (add in here if there is any additional project support – if not, we will add the traditional amount)
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship: $27,300
Funding length: 3.5 years (only, no extensions permitted)
Location: Berwick Campus
Internship: The Ph.D. program includes a three-month internship in the second year.
Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.
Applications will be accepted from Australian residents and permanent residents.
Application closing date: 30/09/2025
How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application
Commencement date: Late 2025
Research project details
Project title: Financial Feasibility and lifecycle cash flow analysis of Battery Energy Storage: AI-driven optimization and Environmental Sustainability
The global shift toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems has highlighted the importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This project investigates the financial, technical, and environmental feasibility of adopting sodium-ion battery technology as an alternative to the widely used Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in residential and commercial energy storage applications. The study integrates perspectives from finance, energy systems engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and environmental sustainability.
2. Project Objectives
2.1 Financial Objective
- Assess the financial viability of sodium-ion batteries versus LFP batteries for 20 kWh residential energy storage in Australia.
- Analyze 10-year Net Present Value (NPV) and Return on Investment (ROI).
2.2 Technical Objective
- Evaluate the impact of integrating an AI-based control system to optimize charge/discharge cycles.
- Determine if AI can extend battery life beyond 6000 cycles while maintaining optimal performance.
2.3 Environmental Objective
- Compare the environmental and financial sustainability of sodium-ion and LFP batteries.
- Analyze recycling costs, material toxicity, and lifecycle environmental impact.
Industry Partner and Student Host: Decon Corporations Pty Ltd
Supervisors:
Principal Supervisor: A/Prof Sisira Colombage
Dr. Sisira Colombage, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Finance at Federation University Australia, whose expertise spans Corporate Finance, Investments, Sustainable Finance, FinTech and Financial Markets. A/Prof. Colombage is a member of several professional bodies, including the Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA) and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). He is currently the Deputy Head of Business Discipline
Associate and Co-Supervisors:
Dr. Gayan Kahandawa, is an expert in mechatronics, sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI). His PhD research yielded an AI-based aerospace structural health monitoring innovation for Boeing Aircraft, leading to the acquisition of a coveted US patent. Currently, Dr. Kahandawa is leading research initiatives encompassing AI-driven machine vision for automation and robotics, AI-centric data processing, cutting-edge sensor technology, and AI-enhanced condition monitoring.
Dr Kushan Tennakoon is a plant eco-physiologist with research experience in South East Asia, USA and Australia. Dr Tennakoon is internationally recognised for his research on the functional attributes of parasitic plants.As a mid-career researcher, he was awarded the J. William Fulbright Senior Fellowship, USA to pursue advanced research in plant ecophysiology and also the Third World Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award for Biology.
Federation University is pleased to partner with The Rural Foundation to offer a Masters by Research scholarship in Social Science & Education.
Scholarship details
Stipend: $38,000 tax free per annum for 1.5 years (paid fortnightly)
Project support: $2,000 (over 1.5 years)
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship: $38,000 per annum
Funding length: 1.5 years
Location: Wimmera or Ararat campus (determined by agreement)
Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake Masters study. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.
Selection Criteria:
Honours or honours equivalence in a related field. Working knowledge or experience in working with youth in school or industry setting. Ability to engage with and analyse survey data.
Applications will be accepted from Australian residents and permanent residents.
Applicants should contact Dr Cathy Tischler [c.tischler@federation.edu.au] prior to submitting an application.
Application closing date: Friday 25th July.
How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application
Commencement date: 22nd September 2025, (or by negotiation).
Research project details
Project title:
Peer-led mentoring for rural students in their transition from school to work or study: understanding the rural difference in opportunity and access.
This project is a co-funded, co-designed and co-supervised PhD supporting outcomes for rural students moving from school to work, study or University. The project will be hosted at the Horsham Research Hub (Wimmera Campus), or Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct.
- Co-Design: The research project is a tripartite cooperation with the YouThrive Victoria team (The Rural Foundation), the research candidate, and the Future Regions Research Centre at Federation University. Research design will include defining the research question(s), project scope, methodologies and approaches central to research to practice outcomes for the PhD as well as the resources required for the project.
- Co-supervision: YouThrive, CEO, Mr Andrew McGuckian will be an industry supervisor for the project. The project will have strong support from the organisation and will support collection of data from within existing programs.
YouThrive Victoria conducts a Branch Out Mentoring (BOM) Program for secondary schools in rural Victoria. This program is focused on providing peer-led mentoring support for year 12 students as they transition from secondary school to university, training/apprenticeships and/or work. The program acknowledges that the end of Year 12 is a time of significant transition for rural students, who may need to move away from home, or may be limited by personal and parental/caregiver resources in the options and opportunities they can engage with.
This research will support the development of an evidence base around the experiences of rural students, the unique challenges of being rural in facing these transitions from school to work or study, and consider the value of the program (BOM) in supporting confidence, aspiration and opportunity for students navigating this change. The research will explore issues of transition and build an evidence-based approach for peer-led engagement supporting knowledge transfer about transition experiences, opportunities and outcomes.
Objectives:
1. Provide comprehensive theoretical and evidence base for peer-led support and
intervention in knowledge building to support rural students transition from school to
university/work/training
2. Collecting and utilising qualitative data to assess program impact (BOM)
3. Provide comprehensive thesis outlining challenges and opportunities for rural students
in transition and appropriate supporting interventions.
Industry Partner and Student Host: Mr Andrew McGuckian - CEO, YouThrive Victoria
Supervisors:
Principal Supervisor: Professor Keir Reeves
Co Director, Future Regions Research Centre
Associate Supervisor: Dr Cathy Tischler
Research Fellow & Team Lead, Future Regions Research Centre Horsham Research Hub.
How to apply
Some industry scholarships have expression of interest forms that must be submitted along with your candidature application. Please ensure you read the scholarship information carefully and complete all steps.
Directions on how to apply are available at Apply - Higher Degrees by Research. Please include the name of the scholarship for which you are applying on the Admission Form. All applicants should check their eligibility prior to applying.
Applications should include all relevant supporting documentation and Federation University must receive completed referee report forms by the scholarship closing date. As part of their application, prospective Higher Degree by Research applicants are also required to provide:
- Transcripts of all tertiary level academic study
- Australian citizens must provide a copy of their birth certificate or passport
- Permanent Residents must provide a copy of their visa and passport
- List of published work with URL links and/or copy of each publication
- Copy of honours or masters thesis abstract
- Evidence for Australian honours equivalency, if applicable.
- Any awards or accolades
- Any other evidence of research performance
Federation University partners with local industry to provide research opportunities and regional innovation. If your company or organisation has a project suitable for research and wish to sponsor a higher degrees by research candidate then contact us at research.degrees@federation.edu.au.