Master of Research Scholarships

Western Sydney University supports higher degree research candidates with a range of scholarship opportunities.

Research scholarships are released periodically, and each type of scholarship has specific application dates, eligibility criteria and conditions.

We receive a high volume of applications and scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the requirements may not be considered.

Western Sydney University MRes Scholarship Summer Release

Autumn 2027 commencement

Applications open:
Wednesday 18 November 2026
Applications close:

11.59pm (AEDT) Wednesday 31 March 2027 or until funding is exhausted.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered in this round. Incomplete applications may not be considered if requested documents are not provided in a timely manner. Applicants will be required to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) before being invited to submit a full application. The EOI on its own is not considered a full application and will not be assessed.

Scholarship commencement:
Successful applicants will be required to commence Monday 1 March 2027 (Autumn intake).
Program eligibility:

Scholarships may be awarded for:

  • Master of Research (MRes)
Who can apply?

Domestic applicants (Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) and international applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must:

  • have received and accepted an offer to commence a Master of Research (MRes) program in Autumn 2027; or
  • have transferred into Stage 2 of an MRes program.

All scholarship recipients must:

  • be able to study a full-time MRes program commencing in Autumn 2027.
  • be able to be onshore in Australia at the scholarship commencement date.

Application requirement:

  • All applicants must complete and submit the Standardised Applicant CV as part of their scholarship application.
  • Applications submitted without the Standardised Applicant CV will not be considered (Refer to the FAQs below for further information on how to apply and submit your CV).
Scholarship inclusions:

Scholarships include:

  • $38,707 (AUD) stipend per annum for up to 1.5 years; and
  • Tuition fees covered by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP).
Scholarship exclusions:

Scholarships exclude:

  • Travel costs, visa costs, relocation expenses and other expenses.

Frequently asked questions

All scholarship applicants must review the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) before submitting an application.

How do I apply?

To be considered for a scholarship:

Can I downgrade my program to apply for an MRes scholarship?
No, if you have received an offer into a Doctorate or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) program, or you meet the eligibility criteria for entry into a Doctorate or MPhil program, you will not be considered for an MRes scholarship.
Are international applicants eligible for a scholarship?

Yes, international applicants are eligible to apply for this scholarship release.

All scholarship recipients must:

  • be able to study a full-time doctoral program commencing in Q1 2027.
  • be able to be onshore in Australia at the scholarship commencement date.
Are current doctoral candidates eligible to apply?
Yes, candidates who have transferred to Stage 2 in their current MRes program are eligible to apply.
Do I need to identify a supervisor for my project before I apply?

Yes, you should work with your proposed supervisor when preparing your application.

For more information, visit the find a supervisor page.

Can I submit additional documents after the closing date?

You must provide all required documents before the closing date. Where additional documents are requested, you must provide them promptly or your application may not be considered.

You must provide:

When is the next scholarship release?

The Winter Release will open sometime in May 2027.

Further information will be published on the website when it is confirmed.

Are top-up scholarships available?
No, Western Sydney University does not currently award top-up scholarships.
How are scholarships awarded?

Research scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by a Western Sydney University appointed ranking panel.

Refer to the Guidelines for competitive assessment for Master of Research (MRes) Scholarships for more information.

The application process, eligibility criteria, ranking criteria, and guidelines for awarding scholarships are subject to be revised and may change for future scholarship releases.

Can I work while receiving a scholarship?

Yes, scholarship recipients are permitted to undertake paid employment provided that the work does not interfere with your study. You are expected to undertake a minimum of 35 hours per week on your study throughout the year.

Scholarship recipients are not required to undertake tutoring or other academic employment at Western Sydney University.

Can I study from overseas and receive a scholarship?
No, you are required to be onshore in Australia for the duration of your degree, except for periods of approved overseas study leave to undertake fieldwork or other activities related to your project.
Can I apply for a part-time scholarship?
Scholarships may be awarded for full-time or part-time study. However, part-time awards are taxable.
Can I apply in a future round if my application is unsuccessful?
If your application is unsuccessful, you will need to submit a new application in the next suitable release provided that you meet the eligibility criteria.
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Contact us

You can contact the Graduate Research School through our enquiry forms.

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