How to Apply for a Research Scholarship

Step 1: Review the research scholarship application periods

Western Sydney University offers research scholarship releases to support students to undertake higher degree research. Research scholarship releases are available to support both current and new research candidates based on specific eligibility and selection criteria.

Research scholarship releases are open periodically and can be highly competitive. For more information about when releases are open for applications, visit the research scholarships page.

If research scholarship releases are not currently accepting applications, we encourage you to consider other opportunities via our project scholarships page.

Step 2: Review the scholarship eligibility criteria

Research scholarship releases have specific eligibility and selection criteria, with places awarded based on a competitive ranking process. You should review the criteria on the research scholarships page to find a release that matches your qualifications, experience and citizenship status.

Step 3: Find a researcher supervisor

You need to search for a potential supervisor who is suitable to supervise your proposed research project. You can find out more about this process from the find a supervisor page.

When you have identified some potential supervisors, you should send an email to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in applying for a research scholarship. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application.

You will need to request a letter of support from the potential supervisor to support your application for a research scholarship.

If you cannot provide a letter of support from a potential supervisor, your application for a research scholarship may be considered uncompetitive and excluded from the ranking process.

Step 4: Review the frequently asked questions

You should review the frequently asked questions below before submitting an application. It is important that you understand the inclusions, exclusions, requirements and expectations associated with applying for a research scholarship.

Step 5: Prepare your documentation

You are required to include the following documentation in your application:

  1. Certified copies of all tertiary graduation certificates and academic transcripts for degrees completed outside of Western Sydney University.
  2. Certified evidence of citizenship status (e.g. passport, birth certificate, citizenship papers, etc.) or certified evidence of residency status (for Australian permanent residents only).
  3. Evidence of English language proficiency for applicants who completed their previous qualifications outside of Australia.
  4. letter of support from your proposed supervisor.
  5. research proposal that clearly identifies your area of research interest and provides a project title and project description.
  6. Evidence of relevant employment or experience directly related to research training (if applicable).

All copies of official documents must be certified according to Western Sydney University requirements.

Research scholarship releases are highly competitive and you will need to clearly demonstrate your research skills and experience in your documentation to make a strong application.

You should prepare your supporting documentation to meet the assessment criteria in the Guidelines for Ranking HDR Scholarships and according to the requirements in the frequently asked questions below.

Step 6: Submit an online application for admission

To be considered for a scholarship, you need to apply for admission to a research degree. If you are assessed as eligible for admission, you will be considered for a research scholarship under a competitive process.If you are already enrolled in the equivalent research degree at Western Sydney University, you do not need to submit an application for admission.

Step 7: Submit an online application for a research scholarship

After submitting an application for admission, you need to return to the portal and submit an application for a research scholarship (there is a checkbox where you can choose the research scholarship release).

You must submit both an application for admission, or already be enrolled in an equivalent research degree, and an application for a research scholarship release to be considered for the research scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the research scholarships page for details about scholarship opportunities, application periods, eligibility criteria, selection criteria, scholarship inclusions and exclusions.

Visit the relevant how to apply page for information about what you need to include in your application for admission.

You will be asked to provide the following:

  • Research scholarship release;
  • Name of your proposed research supervisor;
  • Evidence of your research output (e.g. refereed journal articles, conferences, creative work, published work, etc.); and
  • Evidence of professional or research experience.

You can provide the details of up to four (4) examples of your research output.

Research output may include:

  • Published research books or monographs;
  • Published book chapters;
  • Refereed journal articles;
  • Refereed conference proceedings;
  • Commercial patents;
  • Exhibited creative works; or
  • Published written or recorded creative works;

The evidence should be presented clearly in a document that provides full references with details including:

  • Output type (e.g. journal article, book, etc.);
  • Year published;
  • ISSN/ISBN identifiers;
  • Authors (in order of authorship);
  • Title of the work;
  • Name of the journal, exhibition, conference, etc.;
  • Name of the publisher; and
  • Link to an online version of the output (if available).

You can still submit an application for a scholarship without evidence of research output, however, this may impact your competitiveness in comparison to other applicants.

You can provide the details of relevant professional experience or research experience undertaken within the last two (2) years that has directly contributed to providing research training.

Relevant experience may include:

  • Employment as a research assistant;
  • Completing an internship; or
  • Employment as a researcher or academic.

The evidence should be a clearly presented official letter or email from the employer that includes:

  • Name of the organisation;
  • Your position title;
  • Your period of service;
  • Details of methodological, analytical, or project management skills relevant to research; and
  • Name of your previous supervisor.

You can still submit an application for a scholarship without evidence of professional or research experience, however, this may impact your competitiveness in comparison to other applicants.

A certified document is a copy of an original document that has been cited by a qualified person and confirmed as correct and legitimate.

For more information, visit the certifying documents page.

All eligible applicants for a research scholarship will be placed into a pool and ranked based on a competitive process. The applications will be ranked on factors including academic qualifications and performance, research output, relevant experience and alignment with Western Sydney University research objectives.

Scholarship offers are subject to you meeting the admission criteria for the relevant degree, or being already enrolled in a relevant degree.

If your question is about potential research projects or supervision, you can find a list of relevant contacts on the find a supervisor page.

For more information visit Higher Degree Research Knowledge Directory.

If you are a currently enrolled Western Sydney University HDR candidate, please submit your scholarship enquiry here Enqiries about scholarships (Login required).

For new HDR Candidate, enquiries should be submitted here.