Applications are now open for the University of Melbourne’s Human Rights Scholarship 2026, which offers financial and academic support to graduate research students in human rights.
The program is open to both domestic and international applicants pursuing a Master’s by Research or Doctoral degree.
The University of Melbourne announced the scholarship as part of its effort to promote research and action in the field of human rights. The program supports students who demonstrate academic merit and a commitment to peaceful advocacy and social justice through research.
Scholarship Details and Coverage
The Human Rights Scholarship will be awarded to two students undertaking graduate-level research in human rights. The scholarship offers;
- A maximum value of $94,200, which includes a living allowance, full tuition fee coverage, and relocation support
- For students enrolled full-time in 2025, the annual living allowance is $43,500
This amount is indexed and includes entitlements such as paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave.
The scholarship duration is up to two years for Master’s by Research students and up to 3.5 years for Doctoral candidates. For PhD students, the tuition fee offset is available for up to four years.
Relocation grants of $2,000 are available for students moving from another Australian state or territory, and $3,000 for students relocating from overseas. International recipients will also receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Applicants must be either currently enrolled in or applying to a graduate research program in human rights at the University of Melbourne. They must not have previously completed a research degree at the same or higher level, nor have received a graduate research scholarship in the past.
Candidates are expected to show academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to human rights through either professional or volunteer experience. A key requirement is the applicant’s ability to outline how their research supports peaceful human rights advocacy beyond academic theory.
Application Process and Deadline
Applicants must complete an online application via the university’s scholarship portal at University of Melbourne Scholarships. As part of the submission, candidates are required to describe how their research project will contribute to the advancement of human rights and detail any related experiences.
Applications close on October 31st, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
Additional Opportunities for Recipients
In addition to financial support, the scholarship provides access to study abroad opportunities and online education resources. Scholars may also be eligible for student exchange programs facilitated by the university, depending on their research focus and location requirements.
The University of Melbourne encourages applications from individuals across a broad range of disciplines within the human rights field, reflecting its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.
