Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Scholarships
- Enrolment status
- Future UQ student, Current UQ student
- Student type
- Domestic
- Study level
- Postgraduate research (HDR)
- Study area
- All study areas
- Scholarship focus
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, Academic excellence
- Funding type
- Living stipend, Tuition fees
- Scholarship value
- Living stipend of $46,400 per annum (2025 rate), indexed annually, your tuition fees covered
- Scholarship duration
- PhD: 4 years, MPhil: 2 years
- Number awarded
- May vary
About this scholarship
These scholarships include a living stipend to support you as you complete a research project for your Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or a research-focused professional doctorate at UQ.
Eligibility
You’re eligible if you’re:
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- studying full-time and onshore in Australia
- nominated by an enrolling school or institute at UQ
- assessed by the Graduate School as meeting all conditions for admission to the higher degree by research program.
Additionally, you must not:
- hold a qualification at the same or a higher level than the higher degree by research program you are undertaking
- be receiving a living allowance award, or scholarship providing a benefit greater than 75% of the RTP Scholarship living allowance rate to undertake the higher degree by research program
- be receiving a Commonwealth-funded tuition fee scholarship.
Applicants are required to provide compelling evidence of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status. This would usually take the form of confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status under the common seal of a community organisation. Where exceptional circumstances apply, statutory declarations and other forms of documentation may be considered. Original or certified copies of supporting documentation must be provided.
How to apply
Before submitting an application you should:
- check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- prepare your documentation and
- contact the HDR Liaison Officer in your proposed school or institute with any questions you may have.
When you apply, please ensure that under the scholarships and collaborative study section you:
- Include a Confirmation of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Status.
- Select ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
- Select 'I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'.
- Select the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship type
The HDR Liaison Officer in your proposed enrolling school or institute will be able to help you with the application process.
Application dates
The academic year for research students is divided into 4 research quarters (RQ). Check the project page to find out which RQ you need to commence by. You should apply at least 12 weeks before the commencement date.
| Research quarter | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| RQ1 | 1 January | 31 March |
| RQ2 | 1 April | 30 June |
| RQ3 | 1 July | 30 September |
| RQ4 | 1 October | 30 December |
Rules
A domestic part-time student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition or a disability, which prevents them from studying full time may be eligible for scholarship consideration, on a case by case basis.
If you are awarded a scholarship after commencement there will be no retrospective payments of this scholarship.