The Next Generation Graduates Program brings universities, their students and industries together in a unique scholarship program.
- 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!
Welcome to CSIRO’s ‘Next Generation’ of graduates.
Our approach
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.
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 to unlock their full potential and shape the future of AI and emerging technologies, regardless of their background.
Our program is designed to bring together a community of innovative and creative thinkers from diverse disciplines, creating a collaborative and inclusive environment for learning and discovery.
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.) | $41,650 | $41,650 | $30,000 | $10,000 |
| Training (p.a.) | $5,0003 | $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
- One EFTSL research project similar to honours that is part of a coursework masters degree
- 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; or
- a New Zealand citizen.
Scholarships are available for students at Honours and all postgraduate levels across Australian universities. Scholarships are offered as primary scholarships (not available as top-ups).
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
- Scholarship holders must undertake industry placements with an industry partner(s) of the program within which the student enrols.
- Register and complete the integrated coursework component within the first 12 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 Course Brochure 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 26 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.
FAQ: Next Generation Graduates Scholarship
The Next Generation Graduates Programs only offer full-time scholarships to students who enrol to one of our funded programs. Students need to apply to the Programs through the partner universities of the preferred funded program. We encourage you to discuss with your university about your eligibility on applying to our programs, please see How to apply above.
Students are sometimes able to receive multiple scholarships, but this depends on the type of scholarship you receive. Any scholarships that do not allow a recipient to hold other scholarships will state this in the eligibility criteria. You will need to speak to your university for clarifications on terms and conditions of the various scholarships. We are not able to provide advice on individual university scholarship conditions.
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship holders are not eligible for the Next Gen scholarship, which is not a top-up scholarship. The Next Gen programs only offer fully funded scholarships that cover student stipends and allowances.
Successful applicants will be issued a “Student Agreement” by CSIRO to be signed by the student and the university. Once the Student Agreement is executed, you will be onboarded to CSIRO where you will have intranet access, site access (if necessary) and an induction from our friendly CSIRO staff. You will be then prompted to register for the CSIRO coursework.
CSIRO coursework will be delivered in a hybrid way. Modules will be a mixture of online (Video-on Demand and Live) and live workshops will be delivered in major CSIRO locations where you will have an opportunity to collaborate in person and solve problems with projects working with other students, engage with key industry bodies and supported by CSIRO specialists. Workshop attendance is not mandatory in-person and can be attended virtually. Students from remote areas will be supported to attend workshops in person should the major city have a cohort to collaborate with.
All students will have a CSIRO “nominated supervisor” when they are onboarded to CSIRO. You will have a CSIRO “research supervisor”, if the program/project that you select for your study program involves CSIRO as a partner.
Our Collaborators
