StudyDeskStudyDesk Scholarships Get alerts

Home/Scholarships/McNeill Scholarship 2027

Australia · Postgraduate research · Monash University

Monash UniversityScholarship Provider

Sir James McNeill Postgraduate Research Scholarship 2027 in Australia

Monash University’s Sir James McNeill Postgraduate Research Scholarship is a rare one: a single $53,608-a-year living allowance for a research degree whose work is both environmentally responsible and socially beneficial. There is no separate scholarship form — you are considered automatically when you apply for a graduate research degree. And the clock is short: it closes 31 October.

6 days to go Open Updated 16 Oct 2026 By Monash University
Award
$53,608 p.a. (2026 rate)Living allowance + research allowance + relocation allowance (if eligible); only ONE scholarship offered
Cycle
Offered once every two yearsThe current cycle is 2026, with the 31 October round as the awarding round — this is the one to target
Who
Monash graduate-research applicantsAustralian/NZ citizens, permanent residents, humanitarian visa holders AND international students
Eligible faculties
Arts, Engineering, Medicine/Nursing/Health Sciences, ScienceArts: School of Music only; research must be environmentally responsible AND socially beneficial
How to apply
No separate formApply for your graduate research degree via Monash’s myApp Portal; eligible applicants are automatically considered

About the scholarship

The Sir James McNeill Postgraduate Research Scholarship is funded by a private trust in memory of Sir James McNeill and administered by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. It is one of Monash’s most competitive research awards: only one scholarship is offered, carrying a living allowance of $53,608 per year (2026 rate), plus a research allowance and a relocation allowance for those who qualify. It is awarded once every two years from R4/2024 onwards — the current cycle is 2026, decided in the 31 October round.

What makes it unusual: the scholarship is not for any strong research topic — your research must be both environmentally responsible and socially beneficial, and it is open only within eligible faculties: Arts (School of Music only), Engineering, Medicine/Nursing/Health Sciences, and Science. Joint research awards qualify if Monash is the home institution. And unlike most big scholarships, there is no separate application form: eligible graduate-research applicants are automatically considered, with faculties nominating their candidates from Rounds 1–4 of the offering year. Note the official page does not mention tuition coverage — this is a living/research/relocation award, not a “full tuition + everything” package.

Eligibility

  • Residency: Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian humanitarian visa holders, or international students.
  • Research direction: your research must be both environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.
  • Faculty: eligible faculties are Arts (School of Music only), Engineering, Medicine/Nursing/Health Sciences, and Science. Joint research awards are eligible if Monash is the home institution.
  • Timing: you must have submitted a scholarship application in the year the scholarship is offered (the current cycle is 2026).
  • Competitive standing: you must meet Monash’s competitive scholarship selection requirements and the university’s English-language proficiency requirements.

Benefits

  • $53,608 per year living allowance (2026 rate) for the research degree.
  • Research allowance attached to the award.
  • Relocation allowance for those who qualify (e.g. moving to Melbourne for the degree).
  • Only one award is made — this is a flagship single scholarship, not a cohort scheme.
  • Applicants are automatically considered for all Monash graduate-research scholarships alongside this one.

Documents required

The official Monash page publishes no scholarship-specific document list — applications go through the standard graduate-research (HDR) application, so Monash does not spell out a separate checklist here. Typical HDR application materials (CV, transcripts, research proposal, English-language evidence) are listed by aggregators only and are not confirmed on the official page.

How to apply

  1. Apply for your graduate research degree at Monash — scholarship applications are submitted at the same time as the course application via Monash’s myApp Portal (or as a current student if you are already enrolled).
  2. There is no separate scholarship form to fill. Eligible applicants are automatically considered for all graduate-research scholarships, including the Sir James McNeill award.
  3. Your faculty nominates you: eligible applicants from Rounds 1–4 of the offering year are automatically nominated by their faculty for the McNeill award — the scholarship itself is awarded in the 31 October round only.
  4. Meet the 31 October deadline. The official page states the scholarship closes 31 October each year; for this cycle that is 31 October 2026.

FAQs

Is this scholarship fully funded?

Not in the tuition-waiver sense. The official Monash page lists a living allowance, a research allowance and a relocation allowance — it does not mention tuition coverage. Read it as a generous living-cost award for a research degree, not a package covering every cost.

Is there a separate application form?

No. Graduate-research scholarship applications are submitted with the course application via Monash’s myApp Portal, and eligible applicants are automatically considered. Your faculty nominates you from the year’s rounds 1–4.

How often is it offered?

Once every two years from R4/2024 onwards — so the current offering cycle is 2026, decided in the 31 October 2026 round. Only one scholarship is offered per cycle.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International students are explicitly eligible alongside Australian citizens, NZ citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holders.

Which faculties count?

Arts (School of Music only), Engineering, Medicine/Nursing/Health Sciences, and Science. Your research must be both environmentally responsible and socially beneficial.

Verified 17 Oct 2026 via the official Monash University scholarships page ($53,608 p.a. 2026 rate — living + research + relocation; closes 31 October each year; offered once every two years from R4/2024; no separate scholarship form — automatic consideration via the myApp graduate-research application; eligible faculties Arts (Music only)/Engineering/Medicine-Nursing-Health/Science; research must be environmentally responsible and socially beneficial; international students eligible), corroborated by Mastersportal, PhDportal and Bright Scholarship. Aggregate breakdown figures are not published on the official page and are not stated here.

Related scholarships

Need Help? Chat with us