Postgraduate Research Scholarship in First Nations People, Mental Illness and the NDIS
Highlights
| Value | Eligibility | Open date | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,207 p.a. (up to 3.5 years) |
|
20 January 2026 | 4 February 2026 |
How to apply
Apply here.
Benefits
The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $37,207 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
Who's eligible
You must:
- be a domestic student
- have an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a Masters by Research or PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.
- identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015
- conduct research in First Nations people, mental illness and the NDIS.
Preference will be given to applicants with psychosocial disability and/or receiving support under the NDIS.
Background
This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a Masters by Research or PhD student who is undertaking research in First Nations people, mental illness and the NDIS.
This Scholarship is funded by Australian Research Council (ARC).
This scholarship provides funding for research on the needs and/or experiences of First Nations people with psychosocial disability (mental illness) and the NDIS. It is part of a broader project that aims to address serious deficits in the operation of the NDIS for one of its largest participant groups: people with psychosocial disability. Working in partnership with the National Disability Insurance Agency, who run the NDIS, this broader project aims to develop new data on scheme outcomes, cost-effectiveness and participant experiences to develop an appropriate and implementable program to improve supports for this group.
The project topic has been developed in partnership with First People’s Disability Network (FPDN) and we have identified the below possible topics for research in this area. You may also choose to develop a research topic of your own choosing within this broad area.
- What are the needs of First Nations people with mental illness entering the NDIS and does the scheme meet those needs?
- What barriers are preventing First Nations people with disability accessing the NDIS?
- How can we design an NDIS that works well for First Nations people with mental illness? (broadly, or focusing on particular communities or locations)
- What should the NDIS related workforce for supporting First Nations people with mental illness look like?
- How can we use administrative data to understand health/social inclusion outcomes related to the engagement of First Nations people with mental illness who are receiving support from the NDIS?
- How can communities and families be funded to provide support through the NDIS to First Nations people with mental illness?
- How can alternative commissioning models foster improved delivery of supports for First Nations people with mental illness?
1. Background
a. This supplementary Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to a Masters by Research or PhD student who is undertaking research in First Nations people, mental illness and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
b. This Scholarship is funded by Australian Research Council (ARC).
2. Eligibility
a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a Masters by Research or PhD within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must be domestic students.
c. Applicants must be identified as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.
d. Applicants must be in receipt of primary research scholarship administered by the University of Sydney that provide a stipend allowance. The primary scholarship must not be funded directly or indirectly by the Australian Government.
c. Applicants must be willing to conduct research in First Nations people, mental illness and the NDIS.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
I. academic merit, and
II. a personal statement demonstrates skills and expertise they will bring to the selected project.
b. Preference will be given to applicants with psychosocial disability and/or receiving support under the NDIS.
c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s).
4. Value
a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $37,207 per annum for up to 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
b. Extension of the Scholarship is not permitted.
c. The commencement date of the Scholarship for a currently enrolled PhD student will be the first day of the Research Period in which the scholarship closing date falls.
d. If the student has not yet enrolled in their PhD when selected for the Scholarship, then the commencement date of their Scholarship will be the first day of their PhD candidature. The commencement date of the Scholarship must be in or before Research Period 2, 2026. If the recipient is unable to get an unconditional offer of admission by this Research Period, the conditional Scholarship offer will be withdrawn unless the commencement of the Scholarship is approved to be deferred by the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health.
If the Scholarship duration outlined in clause 4.a is not completed by 31 December 2029, the Scholarship will be automatically terminated. If the end date of the grant supporting this scholarship is extended, approval is required from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health for the scholarship to continue to the new end of the grant. If the recipient completes the maximum scholarship duration mentioned in clause 4.a prior to the end date of the grant, then the end date of the scholarship determined by clause 4.a prevails.
e. No other amount is payable.
f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.
5. Eligibility for Progression
a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation.
6. Leave Arrangements
a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship, excluding any additional sick leave and parental leave.
7. Research Overseas
a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.
8. Suspension
a. The same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary stipend scholarship.
9. Changes in Enrolment
a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature transfer. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.
10. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be terminated:
I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained from the Associate Dean (Research Education), Faculty of Medicine and Health to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).
b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:
I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.
c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.
d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.
11. Misconduct
a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.
b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.