Zema Energy Studies Scholarship 2026 – $53,608 PhD Stipend at Monash University

Scholarship Description

The Zema Energy Studies Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded PhD program established by Monash University and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in March 2019. The scholarship honours the memory of Matt Zema, AEMO's founding Chief Executive Officer, energy reform leader, and Monash alumnus, who tragically passed away in July 2016.

The program aims to develop the nation's future energy leaders by supporting a cohort of energy professionals with advanced multidisciplinary knowledge across engineering, IT, and business and economics. It was created with the support of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council and in partnership with AEMO.

As a Zema Scholar, you will work with supervisors from the engineering, information technology, and business & economics faculties to explore and solve pressing energy problems. You will also work collaboratively with the energy sector, enabling you to establish an industry presence and develop leadership networks.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Monash is a world-leading research university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. The Zema Scholarship is administered through the Monash Energy Institute.

Scholarship Deadline

The Zema Energy Studies Scholarship has two application deadlines each year depending on the commencement semester:

Host Institution

Monash University – a world top 100 university and a member of the Group of Eight, Australia's leading research-intensive universities. The scholarship is administered through the Monash Energy Institute, which brings together researchers from engineering, IT, and business and economics to address energy challenges.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: PhD (Doctoral) and Masters by Research.

Fields: The Zema Scholarship supports multidisciplinary energy research across three faculties:

• Engineering: Power systems stability, grid-forming inverters, renewable energy integration, machine learning for power systems, energy storage optimisation, electric vehicle impact modelling
• Information Technology: Data science for energy, machine learning applications in power systems, emerging technologies research
• Business and Economics: Energy economics, electricity market pricing, demand-side management, consumer behaviour and energy information, incentives for demand response

Candidates can apply for one of the listed Zema scholarship projects or contact a willing supervisor to design their own energy-related research project. Multidisciplinary projects will be given priority.

Target Group

The scholarship is open to Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents who wish to pursue a PhD or Masters by Research in energy-related fields at Monash University. The program is designed for the next generation of leaders who will meet Australia's energy sector challenges.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Annual Stipend: $53,608 per annum (2026 full-time rate), tax-free.

Duration: Up to three-and-a-half years for PhD candidates, supporting the approved duration of their PhD candidature.

Paid Internship: Opportunity for a paid internship with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), providing real-world industry experience.

Number Offered: Up to 4 scholarships per round.

Additional Benefits:

• Work with supervisors across engineering, IT, and business & economics faculties
• Collaborate with the energy sector to establish an industry presence
• Develop leadership networks within Australia's energy industry
• Access to Monash Energy Institute resources and events

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.
• Study status: Must be studying full-time.
• Course: Must be pursuing a PhD or Masters by Research at Monash University.
• Research area: Must be in an energy-related field across engineering, IT, or business and economics.
• Scholarship application: Must have submitted a scholarship application in the current year.
• Selection process: Must meet Monash's competitive scholarship selection process requirements.
• English proficiency: Must meet Monash's English language proficiency requirements.
• Supervisor: Must have identified and secured a willing supervisor at Monash University.

Note: Candidates interested in a Masters by Research in the topic areas listed will also be considered.

Application Procedure

1. Identify a research area and supervisor – Review the list of potential supervisors at Monash and the example projects listed under the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship. If you have your own energy-related research idea, you can contact a willing supervisor to discuss it.
2. Contact potential supervisors – Make sure your email is specific to the Zema Scholarship and describes the research area or project you wish to work in. Include details of your academic record. Please note that researchers receive many requests for supervision, so be clear and specific.
3. Submit an expression of interest – Once a supervisor agrees to nominate you, submit an expression of interest with your faculty. After this, you will be invited to make a full submission.
4. Submit a full application – After receiving an invitation to apply, submit your application via the Monash online application portal at myapp.monash.edu.
5. Meet the deadline – Submit your full application by 31 May (for Semester 2 commencement) or 31 October (for Semester 1 commencement). Contact potential supervisors by early May or early October respectively.
6. Selection process – Applications are assessed based on academic merit, research potential, and alignment with the Zema Scholarship's multidisciplinary energy focus.
7. Outcome notification – Successful candidates will be notified and invited to commence their studies at Monash University.

Important notes: The process for applying for a PhD scholarship at Monash varies by faculty, but in general you need to find a supervisor and submit an expression of interest before being invited to make a full application. Multidisciplinary projects will be given priority.

Official Website & Application Links

Monash Energy Institute – Zema Energy Studies Scholarship

Monash Application Portal: https://myapp.monash.edu/

AEMO Website: https://aemo.com.au/en

Monash Energy Institute: https://www.monash.edu/energy-institute