Philanthropy-Funded Scholarships

F.G. Swain Award to Promote Excellence in Postgraduate Research at the Hawkesbury Campus

Scholarship contact: Paul Wormell

p.wormell@westernsydney.edu.au

The Award is in recognition of the significant contribution of the late Emeritus Professor Swain AM to Hawkesbury, first as Principal of Hawkesbury Agricultural College over the period 1972 to 1988 and then as Deputy Vice Chancellor and CEO of Hawkesbury from 1989 to 1993.

The award is funded by the Hawkesbury Foundation.

The objectives of the award are to:

• Enhance the research outcomes of Doctoral students based on the Hawkesbury Campus.
• Promote the Hawkesbury Campus as a focus of excellence and innovation in research.

Applications for the Award must include details of how they assess that their research will promote Hawkesbury as a centre of excellence and research leader in the broad field of research covered by their PhD.

What does the scholarship provide?

The award allocation is a total fund of up to $10,000. The size of each annual award varies between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on available Hawkesbury Foundation funds and may involve a single grant or multiple awards.

The funds are to be spent within 12 months of notification of the award. The funds are to support a specific activity such as:

• travel for field studies or to collect research data;
• additional research equipment;
• running expenses for research; or
• software/hardware.

Purchases become University property at acquisition.

The funding does not support general living expenses or tuition fees. Conference expenses are also excluded as candidature support funds are available for this purpose.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be enrolled in a Doctoral programme at Western Sydney, be based on the Hawkesbury Campus and be able to demonstrate good progress in their research. International, local, full or part-time students are eligible.

Reporting requirements

Successful applicants will be required to provide a brief report to the Hawkesbury Foundation Board at the conclusion of their project activity.

How to apply

1. Complete the Philanthropy-Funded HDR Scholarship Application form.
2. Attach a short CV (including refereed publications, popular articles, presentations at conference and prizes) and a letter of support from your Principal Supervisor.
3. Prepare a budget (up to $10,000) with a list of activities, items, expenditure and timeline, and a justification describing how the award will enhance the outcomes associated with your research and promote the excellence of research on the Hawkesbury Campus.
4. Submit the application form and supporting documents via the Scholarship Enquiry form for current candidates.

Adjudication will be by a panel chaired by the Hawkesbury Foundation President (or nominee) and include representatives of the Western Sydney academia and the Graduate Research School. The Committee reserves the right not to award the funds in any given year.

Applications close: 31 July 2026

Reference: FG_Swain_2026

Professor Kai Yip Cho Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarship contact: Professor Bill Price

w.price@westernsydney.edu.au

The Professor Kai Yip Cho Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 through a gift from Professor Cho’s family. The scholarship was created to honour Professor Cho’s lifelong work and research in microbiology and mushrooms. Professor Cho’s academic legacy continues through this scholarship at Western Sydney University.

Western Sydney University is proud to support this scholarship through matching gifts with the Cho family.

The objectives of the award are to enhance the research outcomes of doctoral candidates studying biochemistry or microbiology and to promote research excellence and innovation.

What does the scholarship provide?

The scholarship provides a top-up of $7,500 per year to the candidate’s existing full-time scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

The successful candidate must:

• have commenced a doctoral program at Western Sydney University in biochemistry or microbiology, or be undertaking a project with considerable emphasis on either of these areas; and
• be currently receiving a stipend scholarship.

Reporting requirements

Scholarship recipients will be required to provide an annual progress report to Western Sydney University and the Cho family. This report is in additional to any standard candidature reporting requirements.

How to apply

1. Email the scholarship contact above to discuss your eligibility and intention to apply.
2. Complete the Philanthropy-Funded HDR Scholarship Application form.
3. Submit the application form and supporting documents via the Scholarship Enquiry form for current candidates.

The scholarship can be awarded to one current candidate at a time.

Applications remain open until the scholarship is awarded.

{REF}

Harry Triguboff AO PhD Scholarship in Construction

To be advised.

Anthony Cowley and Margaret June Cowley PhD Scholarship in Medicine

To be advised.

The Medich Indigenous HDR Scholarship

To be advised.