Monash Business School Equity, Diversity and Inclusion PhD Scholarship 2026 – $41,100 Stipend

Scholarship Description

The Monash Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship (formerly the Monash Equity Scholarship) is awarded by Monash University on equity grounds to domestic graduate research students studying at a Monash campus in Australia. The scholarship is designed to support students who have experienced educational disadvantage or career disruption that has adversely affected their academic journey.

Administered through the Monash Business School, this scholarship is part of Monash University's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in higher education. Additional consideration is given to applicants who have experienced other forms of career disruption due to family/carer responsibilities, educational disadvantage, being a recent refugee, living in a regional or remote area, having a disability or long-term medical condition, or having experienced difficult personal circumstances.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Research is conducted at Monash Business School, which is located across the Caulfield and Clayton campuses. Monash is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8), Australia's leading research-intensive universities.

Scholarship Deadline

The scholarship application rounds close twice a year. For the 2026/2027 cycle, applications close on 31 May and 31 October each year.

Note: Applications for graduate research scholarships are submitted at the same time as your course application, unless you are already enrolled. Late applications will not be accepted.

Host Institution

Monash University – Australia's largest university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. Monash Business School is a triple-accredited business school (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) and is recognised globally for its research excellence in business and economics. The faculty offers a dynamic research environment with world-class facilities and supervision across a wide range of disciplines.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Graduate Research – PhD or Master's by Research.

Eligible Fields: All graduate research programs offered within the Monash Business School. This includes research in Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Law and Taxation, Econometrics and Business Statistics, Economics, Management, Marketing, and related disciplines.

Duration: 3 years and 6 months (full-time equivalent) for PhD candidates.

Target Group

The scholarship is open to domestic graduate research students who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, or Australian humanitarian visa holders. It targets high-achieving students who have had their academic career adversely affected due to equity grounds, including but not limited to disability, regional or remote background, difficult personal circumstances, or refugee status.

The scheme is only suitable for candidates who meet the admission requirements for a graduate research degree at Monash University and who can demonstrate genuine financial need and academic merit.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: 3 years and 6 months (full-time equivalent) for PhD candidates.

Number of Awards: Up to 20 scholarships per year.

Scholarship benefits include:

• Living allowance (stipend) – $41,100 per annum (2027 rate), paid fortnightly to cover living expenses. The 2026 rate is approximately $37,145–$41,000 depending on the specific scholarship round.
• Relocation allowance – For awardees who relocate to Victoria from interstate or from overseas.
• Tuition fee coverage – Full tuition fees are covered for the duration of the scholarship (as part of the Monash Graduate Scholarship framework).

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria for 2026/2027:

• Citizenship: Must be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident, or Australian humanitarian visa holder.
• Academic Qualification: Must hold an Australian or New Zealand bachelor's degree with second class honours (or higher) or qualifications and/or research experience deemed equivalent by the University.
• English Language: Must meet Monash University's English language proficiency requirements for admission.
• Equity Grounds: Must have had their academic career adversely affected due to equity grounds, including disability, regional/remote background, difficult personal circumstances, or refugee status.
• Enrollment: Must be commencing or currently enrolled in a graduate research degree (PhD or Master's by Research) at Monash Business School.
• Full-time Study: Must be enrolled full-time (part-time study may be approved in certain circumstances).

Application Procedure

1. Apply for admission to Monash Business School – Submit an application for admission to a graduate research degree (PhD or Master's by Research) at Monash University. Applications are accepted all year, but the majority of scholarships are awarded in the four scholarship rounds.
2. Complete the scholarship application form – During the admission application process, you must complete the additional scholarship application form to be considered for the Monash Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship. There is no separate fee for this.
3. Provide evidence of equity grounds – You will need to provide supporting documentation demonstrating that your academic career has been adversely affected due to equity grounds. This may include medical certificates, statutory declarations, or other relevant evidence.
4. Meet the deadline – Submit your application by the applicable deadline: 31 May or 31 October.
5. Await notification – Scholarship outcomes are typically issued approximately 6–8 weeks after each round closes.
6. Accept your award – If selected, you will need to accept the scholarship and confirm your enrollment.

Important notes: The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account academic merit, research outputs, prior research experience, and equity grounds. You must complete both the admission application and the scholarship application form to be considered. The standard terms and conditions as outlined in the RTP Scholarship Procedures apply, with the exceptions outlined in the eligibility criteria.

Official Website & Application Link

Monash Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship – Official Page

Monash Graduate Research Scholarships: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships