The 2024/2025 ACU Industry PhD Scholarships, fully funded by Australian Catholic University, offer a unique opportunity for industry-driven research. Designed to bridge academia and industry, these scholarships invite businesses to collaborate with top PhD candidates, providing them with hands-on experience in tackling real-world challenges.
Through this program, industry partners benefit from the advanced analytical and research skills of PhD scholars, enhancing innovation and creating breakthrough solutions that meet their specific needs. Additionally, ACU provides state-of-the-art research facilities and dedicated academic support to ensure the project’s success.
The ACU Industry PhD Scholarships program offers significant benefits to industry partners, making it an attractive opportunity for companies seeking to foster growth and innovation. Here’s a closer look at the advantages:
- Access Advanced Skills and Expertise: PhD candidates bring an advanced level of research skills, including critical and analytical thinking. These abilities allow them to drive meaningful innovation within your organization and contribute to breakthrough solutions.
- Discover New Talent: Collaborating with PhD scholars through this scholarship program provides a unique talent discovery opportunity for companies. It helps identify potential future employees while offering current staff the chance to develop leadership, supervision and mentoring skills.
- Shape Future Leaders: This partnership enables your organization to contribute to the development of future leaders, not only in academia but also within the industry. Engaging with fresh research perspectives across various fields helps foster innovation and promotes a forward-thinking culture within your organization.
- Streamlined Administration: ACU manages the recruitment process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for industry partners. Moreover organizations may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Research and Development tax incentive, offering further support toward partnership costs.
Degree Level
The Australian Catholic University ACU Industry PhD Scholarships 2024/2025 (Fully Funded) is available for PhD-level programs at ACU, aimed at nurturing advanced academic and professional skills.
Available Subjects
This scholarship program is open to research across a range of subjects, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration and collaboration between candidates and industry partners.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The ACU Industry PhD Scholarships provide a comprehensive funding package for PhD candidates, facilitating their research journey for up to 3.5 years. Key components of this package include:
- Stipend Scholarship: Candidates receive an annual stipend valued at $32,192 (2024 rate, indexed annually) to help cover their living expenses during the program.
- Tuition Fee Scholarship: Valued at $30,000 per annum, this scholarship covers the tuition costs, alleviating the financial burden for candidates.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): For international students, the scholarship includes a single OSHC policy, ensuring health coverage throughout their studies.
- Relocation Allowance: International candidates receive a relocation allowance of $2,000 to support their move to Australia.
These scholarship benefits align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy, ensuring comprehensive support for candidates as they pursue their PhD studies.
Partnership Options for Industry
ACU provides two main funding options for industry partners interested in supporting the ACU Industry PhD Scholarships, making it accessible for organizations with varying levels of commitment:
- Fully Funded by Industry: In this model, the industry partner provides $40,000 per annum for 3.5 years. This funding covers the stipend scholarship, including annual indexation and other allowances and benefits. ACU complements this contribution by covering tuition fees with a $30,000 per annum Tuition Fee Scholarship.
- Co-Funded by Industry: For organizations that prefer a shared funding approach, the co-funded option allows the industry partner to contribute $20,000 per annum for 3.5 years. ACU matches this contribution with an additional $20,000 per annum, alongside the Tuition Fee Scholarship valued at $30,000 per annum.
Who Can Apply?
The ACU Industry PhD Scholarships are open to both domestic and international students, welcoming applicants from all nationalities who meet the program’s academic and research criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ACU Industry PhD Scholarships, applicants need to meet the following criteria:
- Academic Background: Applicants should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent, with a strong academic record that demonstrates their potential for success in a PhD program.
- Research Proposal: Candidates must submit a well-developed research proposal that aligns with both the scholarship’s objectives and the goals of the industry partner.
- Language Proficiency: For international applicants or those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, proficiency in English is required. This can be demonstrated through standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Visa Requirements: Candidates must meet any visa requirements necessary for studying in Australia if they are international students.
Additional Requirements for ACU Industry PhD Scholarships
To maximize the impact of this program, ACU and its industry partners require that applicants also meet these specific criteria:
- Alignment with Industry Goals: The research proposal submitted by candidates should align with the research interests and objectives of the industry partner. This alignment ensures the research conducted is relevant and beneficial to the organization.
- Commitment to Collaboration: Candidates must be willing to work closely with the industry partner throughout the project, fostering a collaborative environment that allows for mutual growth and learning.
- Compliance with the ACU Research Training Program: Candidates must fulfill the eligibility requirements of the ACU Research Training Program, which supports research students in their academic and professional development.
Application Process
For organizations and candidates interested in applying, the process is straightforward. To explore partnership opportunities or learn more about the ACU Industry PhD Scholarships, contact the ACU Graduate Research School directly at:
By participating in the ACU Industry PhD Scholarships organizations gain the chance to make a significant impact in their industry, drive forward-thinking innovation and help shape future leaders. This collaboration not only benefits the organization but also contributes to the wider academic and research community, fostering a culture of continuous learning, development and discovery.
Through this partnership, ACU and its industry partners are paving the way for impactful research that addresses real-world challenges and builds stronger connections between academia and the industry. The ACU Industry PhD Scholarships are more than just a funding opportunity; they represent a strategic investment in knowledge, talent and innovation that resonates within Australia and beyond.