Edith Cowan University (ECU) offers research scholarships for postgraduate students with outstanding research potential to pursue higher degrees by research (PhD, Integrated PhD, or Master by Research). The Edith Cowan University Postgraduate scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and research performance, aiming to support distinguished researchers and develop projects with scientific and societal impact.
Scholarship Details and Funding
Type of Scholarship: ECU Higher Degree by Research Scholarship or RTP Stipend Scholarship.
Value:
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Annual stipend of AUD 35,000 (paid fortnightly via bank transfer).
Additional Benefits:
- Relocation allowance for domestic students (where applicable)
- Partial reimbursement of Overseas Student Health Cover for international students (where applicable)
Duration:
- Up to 3 years full-time for a PhD
- Up to 2 years full-time for a Master by Research
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 3 September 2025
- Applications Close: 16 October 2025 (11:59 PM AWST)
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must have received an offer of admission into one of the following ECU programs:
- PhD
- Integrated PhD
- Master by Research
If the admission application is still under review at the time of applying for the scholarship, the application can still be considered. However, the applicant will only receive a conditional scholarship offer.
Not Eligible to Apply:
- Applicants who have received an AusAID or Australia Award scholarship in the past two years.
- Applicants without written endorsement from the principal supervisor for the proposed research project.
- Applicants whose PhD commencement date is after 8 May 2026.
- Applicants whose Master by Research commencement is after Semester 1, 2026.
- Applicants earning income greater than 75% of the RTP annual stipend (AUD 35,000) for living purposes.
How to Apply
For Future HDR Candidates:
- Review the application process and eligibility criteria on the scholarships webpage.
- Check the advertised research projects.
- Contact the named supervisor or project lead to discuss suitability.
- If selected, you will receive an email invitation to apply.
- Submit your application via the ECU Online Scholarship Application Portal before 16 October 2025.
If proposing your own project:
- Contact potential supervisors to confirm alignment and willingness to supervise.
- Obtain a confirmation email from supervisors before applying.
- Submit your application via the online portal.
For Current ECU HDR Candidates:
- Discuss the scholarship application with your supervisory team.
- Must hold a Green progression status.
- Submit the application via the online portal before the deadline.
Selection and Evaluation Process
Applications are assessed by supervisors and project leads, considering:
- Academic merit
- Research performance
- Alignment of the proposed project with ECU’s research priorities
Available Research Fields 2026
Research projects are offered across a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Arts and Humanities: Artificial intelligence in digital user experience, the role of dopamine in brain stimulation, mental and physical health of university students.
- Business and Law: Impact of AI on workplaces, digital economy, authentic leadership.
- Education: Student perceptions of mathematics, teacher competency development, outdoor learning.
- Engineering: Electric vehicles, renewable energy, underwater positioning systems.
- Medical and Health Sciences: Cancer, mental health, aging, the use of nutrition and exercise in treatment.
- Nursing and Midwifery: Improving recovery outcomes after surgeries, child health research.
- Science: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, climate and environment, catalytic chemistry.
