Natural Hazards Research Scholarship

Natural Hazards Research Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for University students already enrolled to pursue a PhD or Masters by research in areas relevant to the NHRA, including natural hazards resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Top-up PhD scholarships up to $15,000 per year for three and a half years to:

  • holders of Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) or similar university research scholarships
  • holders of partial scholarships funded by an industry organisation.

Applications for top-up scholarships must directly contribute to the Centre’s core research themes:

  • communities and workforces and of the future
  • sustainable, safe and healthy natural landscapes in a changing environment
  • resilient and sustainable built environments
  • resilient communities
  • situational awareness
  • operational response and innovation
  • evidence-informed policy and strategy
  • learning from disasters

Preference will be given to students enrolling in full-time PhD studies, but applications from students studying Masters by Research degrees or intending to study part time will also be considered.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within eight weeks of submitting their fully completed application.

Scholarships must be commenced with 12 months of being awarded.

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Funding for PhD scholarships is limited to three and a half years from the date of commencement. For applicants that have already commenced their studies at the time of their application, the available funding will be calculated pro-rata, based on the period of study that has yet to be completed.

Scholarship funds are intended to fund the student stipend. Use of the funds for any other study-related purpose (for example, to support fieldwork) is at the sole discretion of the Centre.

Scholarship holders will also be able to:

  • apply for additional funding support to attend a relevant conference, and to participate in events and activities run by the Centre.
  • participate in professional development activities offered by the Centre, which may include writing skills, media and public speaking training, poster design, and other skills.
  • apply for short-term placements in Centre partner organisations.
  • apply for a Natural Hazards Early Career Researcher Development or Industry Fellowship through the Centre, in the final stages of their study.

Open now. 

Applications will continue to be accepted until all places are filled.

Multiple scholarships available - at the discretion of the NHRA.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply for a Natural Hazards Postgraduate Research Scholarship:

Applicants who are Australian citizens or permanent residents that either:

  1. Are enrolled in a research higher degree at an Australian or New Zealand university have been offered a research higher degree position at an Australian or New Zealand university, with a commencement date no later than 12 months after the date on which the application is submitted.
  2. Applicants who are international students must be enrolled in their course of study before applying for a scholarship. These applicants must also provide evidence of their ability to use their own separate funding to cover any university tuition fees, as our scholarships are not provided to cover these expenses.
  3. Applicants must have (or expect to receive) an Honours degree of at least class 2A or equivalent.
  4. Applicants must be studying full time, however where there is a compelling reason, part-time student applications will be considered on a pro-rata scholarship basis.
  5. Applicants must have developed a project proposal (no longer than two pages) that focuses on a research area aligned with the Centre’s published research themes and research priorities (found here: https://www.naturalhazards.com.au/research-priorities)
  6. Applicants are expected to undertake their research with the support of a research team and provide evidence that the proposed project is aligned with that of the supervisor and research team.
  7. All successful students will be required to have an industry sponsor, with whom they can discuss their project and how the outcomes of the research can be used. This can be arranged independently by applicants during the application process, or with the Centre if your application is successful.

Applicants must complete the application form.

If you have any questions or need support completing your application, please email research@naturalhazards.com.au

Form can be found here (PDF, 258KB). 

For further information see the NHRA website. 

Email research@naturalhazards.com.au.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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