The University of Wollongong (UOW) is offering the McKinnon-Walker Research Fellowship to outstanding PhD candidates whose research can benefit Pacific Islander, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly through improvements in health, education, law or public policy. The fellowship combines substantial financial support with leadership and professional-development opportunities.
Table of Content
Summary
Subscribe for Scholarship Alert!
Benefits
- Total value: over $200,000
- Stipend: $55,537 per year (maximum RTP rate) for 3.5 years
- Project funding: $20,000 total
- Tuition fee waiver: Up to 4 years
- Professional development: workshops, mentoring, and events to build your leadership skills
Requirements
Applicants will be assessed on:
- Academic excellence and research achievement
- Quality, feasibility and potential impact of the proposed research
- Relevance of the research to Pacific Islander, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Demonstrated leadership, initiative and capacity to lead change
- Demonstrated commitment to service, community engagement, mentoring, advocacy or other contributions beyond academic achievement
Applicants from Pacific Islander, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Documents
- A copy of your CV (up to 4 pages, including research experience and outputs)
- A 1-page statement outlining your leadership, service and community contributions
- A 1-page statement explaining which Pacific Islander, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities your research will benefit, how it will benefit them, and how you will involve those communities in the researc
Check also:
ANU Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 2026
University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026
Application Deadline
October 31, 2026How To Apply
UOW only accepts PhD applications from applicants who have a confirmed supervisor.
New applicants (commencing in 2027)
Step 1: Apply for HDR admission (by 31 October 2026)
- Check the entry requirements, including English language requirements, on the Doctor of Philosophy course page.
- Contact a potential supervisor and confirm their support. See UOW Scholars.
- Submit a full PhD application through the UOW HDR application portal by 31 October 2026, including your 3-4 page research proposal.
- State in your application that you wish to be considered for the McKinnon-Walker Fellowship.
Step 2: Apply for the Fellowship (closes 31 October 2026)
Applications for the Fellowship must be made directly to the Graduate Research School.
Combine the documents below into a single PDF and email it to [email protected] by 31 October 2026.
- A copy of your CV (up to 4 pages, including research experience and outputs)
- A 1-page statement outlining your leadership, service and community contributions
- A 1-page statement explaining which Pacific Islander, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities your research will benefit, how it will benefit them, and how you will involve those communities in the research
- An email from your supervisor supporting your application
Current first-year UOW PhD candidates
- You do not need to reapply for admission. Complete Step 2 only and email your application as a single PDF to [email protected] by 31 October 2026.
For more information, kindly visit the UoW scholarship webpage.
