National Health and Medical Research Council

The aim of the NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships scheme is to support outstanding Australian health and medical graduates early in their career so that they can be trained to conduct research that is internationally competitive and to develop a capacity for original independent research. This is usually achieved by NHMRC funding successful applicants to attain a research based postgraduate degree, which may be a PhD, a PhD equivalent degree, or Masters degree.

Apply for Funding

Prior to submission of an application for Postgraduate Scholarship funding, applicants are to ensure they have:

• read all relevant reference material; and
• liaised with their Administering Institution to identify any specific requirements that the Institution may have

Key dates

The key dates for Postgraduate Scholarship applications for funding commencing in 2012 are as follows:

• 7 May 2012 – Applications open
• 12 July 2012 (5:00pm AEST) – Applications close

Apply for a Postgraduate Scholarship

To apply for a Postgraduate Scholarship please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Review the Postgraduate Scholarship Funding Rules, in particular the eligibility requirements:
   • Postgraduate Scholarship Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 (PDF, 285KB)
2. The NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS) must be used to access/enter your CV and Profile, and submit your Postgraduate Scholarship application:
   • View further information regarding RGMS
3. Applicants should read the Postgraduate Scholarships Advice and Instructions carefully when completing their application:
   • Postgraduate Scholarship Advice and Instructions to Applicants (PDF, 250KB)
     Applicants are encouraged to use the Word templates (RGMS Offline Forms) provided by the NHMRC to assist applicants to complete their applications without logging in to RGMS. Information entered into these templates can be copied and pasted into the application in RGMS. If you are intending to use the Offline Forms, please ensure you begin an application in RGMS in order to obtain an application identification number.
   • RGMS Offline Forms are available here
4. Postgraduate Scholarships Referee Reports
   • Applicants should ensure their referees completes the appropriate template and submits it to the NHMRC prior to the round closing.
     • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Referee Report (DOC, 61KB)
     • Recent Medical Graduate Referee Report (DOC, 56KB)
     • Recent Medical Graduate with Further Clinical Training Referee Report (DOC, 56KB)
     • Dora Lush Biomedical/Public Health/Primary Health Care Referee Report (DOC, 61KB)
5. For applicants wishing to apply for a Co-funded Postgraduate Scholarship, the following document details current NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship funding partners:
   • Funding Partners for Postgraduate Scholarships (PDF, 343KB)

Further Information

Postgraduate Scholarships Peer Review Guidelines for funding in 2013 (PDF, 226KB)

This document describes the general process, procedures and timeline for peer review of applications for Postgraduate Scholarships. The guidelines also contain important information about the conduct of peer review.

If you require information, direct your inquiry to your Research Administration Office in the first instance.
If you require assistance and are unable to satisfy your concerns by seeking assistance through your Administering Institution, please contact the Research Help Centre on 1800 500 983, or by email help@nhmrc.gov.au.