The Next Generation Graduates Programs provide students opportunities to collaborate with universities and subject specialists nation-wide. We train students to be prepared for the problem-based environments they will face upon entering their field.
Snapshot
- Currently recruiting students via universities around Australia
- Generous stipends available for domestic students at Honours and all postgraduate levels
- Receive actual industry exposure and partner placements to develop your skills and network
- Encouraging students from all academic backgrounds – you don't have to be a STEM student to apply!
Students will engage with a national cohort of peers from diverse disciplines, sharing their individual research and contribute to a larger multi-disciplinary solution addressing real-world challenges. This cohort-driven learning approach fosters critical thinking, develops cross-cutting skills, and encourages collaborative solutions.
Diversity drives innovation
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those without a traditional science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background.
We help our students unlock their full potential and shape the future of AI, quantum and other emerging technologies, with the understanding that diversity in thought and backgrounds is crucial for innovation.
Our program is designed to bring together a community of creative thinkers from various disciplines, building a collaborative and inclusive environment for learning and discovery. A preliminary program coursework has been developed to help candidates from different backgrounds achieve proficiency in key topics.
Highlights
| Degree type | PhD | Master of Philosophy | Masters (RTP Qualified Program)1 | Honours & Coursework Masters2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Duration | 3.5 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year |
| Industry placement | 6 months | 3 months | 20 days | 6 days |
| Coursework duration | 11 weeks | 11 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Stipend rate (p.a.)3 | $41,650 | $41,650 | $30,000 | $10,000 |
| Training (p.a.) | $5,0004 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Travel (total) | $5,000 | $5,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Thesis allowance (total) | $840 | $420 | N/A | N/A |
Notes
- Masters Programs at AQF9 where the second year research component qualifies for an RTP (Research Training Program) scholarship
- One EFTSL research project similar to honours that is part of a coursework masters degree
- Two per cent indexation will be applied to stipends for Master of Philosophy and PhD students at the beginning of each Financial Year
- PhD training allowance is $5,000 per year for three years only.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be domestic students as per the Higher Education Support Act at the time of award. Domestic students include:
- Australian citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time
- a New Zealand citizen.
Scholarships are available for students at Honours and all postgraduate levels across Australian universities. Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship holders must enrol in a full-time degree.
Commonwealth supported students enrolled in Honours and Coursework Masters programs are eligible to apply.
Find out more about the participating universities and available projects.
Key requirements
- Students must enrol in one of the 40 awarded research programs listed on the website.
- Scholarship holders must undertake industry placements with an industry partner(s) of the program within which the student enrols.
- Students must register and complete the coursework component of the Next Generation Graduates Program within the first 18 months of receipt of a scholarship.
- Students who receive a scholarship are expected to undertake their training in Australia and endeavour to remain in Australia for two years following completion of their degree.
Coursework
The coursework component of the Next Generation Graduates Program is designed to introduce future graduates to the key concepts that will be useful during their candidature and aims to cover a breadth of concepts and domains by developing knowledge and practical skills.
By exploring diverse topics including deep learning, computer vision, ethics, decision making under uncertainty, innovation, and entrepreneurship, this course stands out for its holistic approach to problem-solving with technology. Download the Program Guide PDF (919 KB) to find out more about the units of study.
Key dates
Funded Next Generation Graduates Programs will continue to recruit students throughout the year until all available places have been filled. The coursework component of the program will run twice-yearly until 2025.
Tenure
The Scholarship may be held for up to 3.5 years (full time) for Research Doctorate (PhD) studies; up to two years for Research Masters studies (MPhil); and up to one year for Honours (Hons) and Coursework Masters (MSubject) studies. Students who enrol in the one-year Honours and Coursework Masters programs may apply to a PhD program on completion of their initial program.
How to apply
Student recruitment for each program will be managed by Chief Investigators (CI) of the Programs from the relevant participating universities across Australia. We suggest you contact these Chief Investigators directly about scholarship applications. These CIs are listed against the 40 program offerings with links to their academic profile online.
Contact us
For any inquiries or additional information, reach out to the Next Generation Graduates Program team at Data61-NextGenGrad@csiro.au.