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 St John of God Berwick Hospital to offer PhD scholarships for nurses, midwives and other allied healthcare professionals who have an interest in conducting research relevant to their field.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $40,000 per annum
Project support: between $6,000-$ 9,000 depending on project
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship / Tuition Fee Scholarship: up to $26,800 per annum
Funding length: 3 years (only, no extensions permitted)
Location: Berwick, Victoria
Program Code: NU0 - Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)

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.

Applicants must be an Australian resident or permanent resident.

Preference will be given to applicants with a registered nursing or midwifery background.

Applicants should contact Associate Professor Mimmie Watts Phone: 03 5327 9750 or email: mc.watts@federation.edu.au prior to submitting an application.

Application closing date:  Open until scholarship is filled

Previous applicants do not need to apply again.

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application form.

Commencement date: as soon as possible

Research Fields:

  • Midwifery & Maternity Care
  • Workforce Models of Care
  • Digital and Mental Health Care
  • Public Health and Allied Health Care

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.