International PhD Scholar Initiative

WEHI offers a number of dedicated scholarships to support International PhD Scholars.

Our International PhD Scholarships provide a living allowance equivalent to the current Melbourne Research Scholarship rate and a WEHI PhD top-up scholarship totalling $42,137pa.

In addition, the international PhD student will receive a relocation allowance if located outside Victoria (up to $3,000), health insurance coverage, and a university tuition fee offset.

To be eligible for the International PhD Scholar Initiative applicants must meet the following academic requirements:

• Have completed their four-year undergraduate degree (with a substantial research component) or masters degree at an international university

or

• Be in the final academic year of their current degree or due to complete in first semester of 2025.

This initiative is for applicants who will be enrolled as an international student in Australia.

Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens qualify as domestic students with University of Melbourne and are not eligible to apply for the International PhD Scholar Initiative.

If your last degree of study was at an Australian university, you are also not eligible for the International PhD Scholar Initiative. These international students should seek other scholarship options available.

WEHI’s PhD students receive advanced, multidisciplinary medical research training through hands-on research within our leading scientific teams. Our Medical Biology PhD Program also equips students with the broader knowledge and skills to advance their careers.

Find out more about the benefits of studying with us.

Applications for the 2025 International PhD Scholar Initiative open on Monday 2 September 2024.

Prospective international PhD students should investigate research projects with individual supervisors and review the PhD application process for research opportunities at WEHI.

To apply for the International PhD Scholar Initiative for study in 2025, international applicants (not currently or recently enrolled at an Australian university) will be required to:

1. Check that you currently meet or are on track to meet the  entry requirements for PhD candidature at the University of Melbourne.
2. Investigate the student project opportunities  to identify your preferred research areas (applicants should contact supervisors to discuss projects).
3. Complete and submit an application form online.
   You will be asked to nominate up to three research projects or WEHI supervisors for your application. You are encouraged to directly contact supervisor/s to discuss projects; any supervisor/s verbal agreement is informal at this stage. If you have secured a project with a WEHI supervisor, include a letter of support (optional).

You will be asked to submit the following supporting documents:

• A cover letter that explains your research interests and motivation for doing a PhD
• Curriculum vitae
• Academic transcripts (include university grading scale and English translation, if applicable).

Incomplete applications (including missing supporting documents) will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email after the close date and invited to a video conference interview within four weeks of the close date. At this stage, shortlisted applicants will be required to provide professional or academic referee reports, including a supporting letter from a WEHI Supervisor.

WEHI international PhD scholarships will be awarded to the successful students by the end of 2024. The Scientific Education Office will assist the selected scholars to finalise supervisors and PhD project, and admissions for commencement in 2025.