Industry and project-specific scholarships

Federation University is pleased to partner with Silverchain, a large national aged care provider, with a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing, to offer an industry co-funded PhD scholarship in “Addressing Loneliness Among In-home Aged Care Clients”.

The PhD student will work with an expert team of researchers and the project will be co-supervised by researchers at Silverchain, and embedded into the organisation, to ensure solutions are feasible for implementation.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $ 35,000 per annum
Top-Up: $ 10,000 per annum
Project support: $3000 per annum for three years
Conference support: $ 2,000
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship / Tuition Fee Scholarship: $ 32,040 per annum
Funding length: 3.5 years
Location: Mt Helen and Berwick

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.

• Students are expected to commit to full-time study for the duration of their candidature.
• Scholarships are for a period of three- and one-half years and extension to scholarships will not be granted.
• Successful scholarship applicants must study on campus or on location with the industry partner.
• Successful scholarship applicants must participate in an internship period.
• Successful scholarship applicants must complete and agree to a Student Deed Poll.

View the general conditions for Federation University HDR scholarships on the Graduate Research School website. Where these conditions differ to those on this form, the conditions outlined for this specific scholarship take precedence.

Applications will be accepted from Australian residents, permanent residents, and international applicants.

Prior to submitting an application Applicants should contact Professor Colette Browning c.browning@federation.edu.au.

Application closing date: 4 August 2025

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application

Commencement date: October 2025

Research project details

Older people in the community commonly experience loneliness, as well as mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety. There has been a rapid growth in the number of Australians who receive aged care funding to enable them to remain living independently at home. Many of these older people are living with multiple medical conditions, as well as functional and cognitive decline. Their complex needs and social isolation mean this population is at a high risk of loneliness. While there is increasing awareness of the problem of loneliness in general, the specific needs of the in-home aged care population have received little attention from researchers and policy makers to date.

This project will address the significant gap in knowledge about loneliness among older people who receive aged care at home through a series of studies. The overall aim of the project will be to find innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of older Australians that can be implemented widely across the aged care system.

Industry Partner and Student Host: This industry PhD will be based jointly at Federation University and Silverchain – one of Australia’s largest in-home aged care providers. Silverchain is a not-for-profit organisation, which provides health and aged care services to more than 140,000 clients in their own homes each year. Silverchain invests directly in research and innovation, with findings from research rapidly translated to improved care outcomes. The PhD candidate will be embedded into an existing research program focusing on innovative approaches to improve the mental health and wellbeing of older people receiving care at home.

For more information about Silverchain, refer to the website: Silverchain - The best care, home delivered.

Supervisors:

Principal Supervisor: Distinguished Professor Colette Browning is a recognised leader in psychology and health, having held leadership positions within the academy and Australian and international health systems. Colette holds an Honorary Professorships at Peking University and is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. She has international research and policy expertise in ageing, primary care, behaviour change and implementation research. Her research focuses on healthy ageing, chronic disease management, mental health and consumer involvement in health care decision-making. Colette has over 275 publications and has held research grants to the value of $30 million and is ranked in the top 0.1% globally of all psychology researchers.

Colette leads the FedUni Health Innovation and Transformation Centre’s Population Health research stream.

See Professor Colette Browning’s profile page for more information.

Associate and Co-Supervisors: Adjunct Professor Tanya Davison, Dr Marissa Dickins

Adjunct Professor Tanya Davison is Director, Research Discovery at Silverchain, and holds an honorary appointment at Federation University. Tanya is a clinical psychologist with a long track record in aged mental health research. She has a particular interest in designing interventions for the aged care sector to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of older adults. Tanya has over 125 publications and has received over $11 million to support her research.

Dr Marissa Dickins is Senior Research Fellow at Silverchain, and holds an honorary appointment at Federation University. Marissa has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and a strong interest in the mental health of older adults. Marissa has worked embedded within in-home aged care providers for the last 9 years, and has extensive experience designing and implementing interventions in this context. Marissa has over 35 publications and has received over $3 million to support her research.

Federation University is pleased to partner with St John of God Berwick Hospital to offer PhD scholarships for nurses, midwives and other allied healthcare professionals who have an interest in conducting research relevant to their field.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $40,000 per annum
Project support: between $6,000-$ 9,000 depending on project
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship / Tuition Fee Scholarship: up to $26,800 per annum
Funding length: 3 years (only, no extensions permitted)
Location: Berwick, Victoria
Program Code: NU0 - Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.

Applicants must be an Australian resident or permanent resident.

Preference will be given to applicants with a registered nursing or midwifery background.

Applicants should contact Associate Professor Mimmie Watts Phone: 03 5327 9750 or email: mc.watts@federation.edu.au prior to submitting an application.

Application closing date:  Open until scholarship is filled

Previous applicants do not need to apply again.

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application form.

Commencement date: as soon as possible

Research Fields:

• Midwifery & Maternity Care
• Workforce Models of Care
• Digital and Mental Health Care
• Public Health and Allied Health Care

Federation University is pleased to partner with The Rural Foundation to offer a Masters by Research scholarship in Social Science & Education.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $38,000 tax free per annum for 1.5 years (paid fortnightly)
Project support: $2,000 (over 1.5 years)
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship: $38,000 per annum
Funding length: 1.5 years
Location: Wimmera or Ararat campus (determined by agreement)

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake Masters study. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.

Selection Criteria:

Honours or honours equivalence in a related field. Working knowledge or experience in working with youth in school or industry setting. Ability to engage with and analyse survey data.

Applications will be accepted from Australian residents and permanent residents.

Applicants should contact Dr Cathy Tischler [c.tischler@federation.edu.au] prior to submitting an application.

Application closing date: Friday 25^th July.

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application

Commencement date: 22^nd September 2025, (or by negotiation).

Research project details

Project title:

Peer-led mentoring for rural students in their transition from school to work or study: understanding the rural difference in opportunity and access.

This project is a co-funded, co-designed and co-supervised PhD supporting outcomes for rural students moving from school to work, study or University. The project will be hosted at the Horsham Research Hub (Wimmera Campus), or Ararat Jobs and Technology Precinct.

1. Co-Design: The research project is a tripartite cooperation with the YouThrive Victoria team (The Rural Foundation), the research candidate, and the Future Regions Research Centre at Federation University.  Research design will include defining the research question(s), project scope, methodologies and approaches central to research to practice outcomes for the PhD as well as the resources required for the project.
2. Co-supervision: YouThrive, CEO, Mr Andrew McGuckian will be an industry supervisor for the project. The project will have strong support from the organisation and will support collection of data from within existing programs.

YouThrive Victoria conducts a Branch Out Mentoring (BOM) Program for secondary schools in rural Victoria. This program is focused on providing peer-led mentoring support for year 12 students as they transition from secondary school to university, training/apprenticeships and/or work. The program acknowledges that the end of Year 12 is a time of significant transition for rural students, who may need to move away from home, or may be limited by personal and parental/caregiver resources in the options and opportunities they can engage with.

This research will support the development of an evidence base around the experiences of rural students, the unique challenges of being rural in facing these transitions from school to work or study, and consider the value of the program (BOM) in supporting confidence, aspiration and opportunity for students navigating this change. The research will explore issues of transition and build an evidence-based approach for peer-led engagement supporting knowledge transfer about transition experiences, opportunities and outcomes.

Objectives:

1. Provide comprehensive theoretical and evidence base for peer-led support and

intervention in knowledge building to support rural students transition from school to

university/work/training

2. Collecting and utilising qualitative data to assess program impact (BOM)

3. Provide comprehensive thesis outlining challenges and opportunities for rural students

in transition and appropriate supporting interventions.

Industry Partner and Student Host: Mr Andrew McGuckian - CEO, YouThrive Victoria

Supervisors:

Principal Supervisor: Professor Keir Reeves

Co Director, Future Regions Research Centre

Associate Supervisor: Dr Cathy Tischler

Research Fellow & Team Lead, Future Regions Research Centre Horsham Research Hub.

Federation University is pleased to partner with the Ararat City Council to offer a PhD scholarship in Engineering.

Scholarship details

Stipend: $32,212 tax free, per annum (paid fortnightly)
Top-Up (if applicable): $5,000 tax free, per annum (paid fortnightly)
Project support: $3,000 per annum
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship / Tuition Fee Scholarship: $33,300 covered per annum
Funding length: 3 years (only, no extensions permitted)
Location: Mount Helen, Ballarat
Internship: Ararat City Council

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a PhD. Verify you can meet eligibility requirements outlined on the Graduate Research School website. If you are applying for ‘Honours equivalence,’ please ensure that you provide detailed information to support your case.

Selection Criteria

1. A Master degree or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in civil or mechanical engineering, or equivalent
2. Experience in developing or applying numerical methods in engineering analysis, e.g., finite element method
3. Experience in using engineering software such as Matlab for programming (essential), Ansys or Abaqus

Applications are open both domestically and internationally to those meeting the selection criteria.

Applicants should contact Professor Ooi Ean Tat (e.ooi@federation.edu.au) prior to submitting an application.

Application closing date: Until position is filled

How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application

Commencement date: As soon as possible

Research project details

Project title: A scaled boundary framework for nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures

Infrastructure development is a major contributor to Australia’s GDP. Critical infrastructure such as bridges, buildings and dams are essential to maintain the community’s access to services, communication, and trade. Despite being designed to support loads throughout their lifespan, instances of structural failure are frequently reported. Many of these were caused by dynamic loads such as severe storms and earthquakes and led to substantial economic losses as well as to loss of life. Other types of dynamic loads, such as ground vibrations caused by traffic (cars, trucks, trains) and construction equipment may also cause damage to structures and compromise their serviceability. Therefore, considering dynamic loading actions in design simulation is essential for the safe and cost-effective design of new structures and the management of ageing ones. Australia’s substantial commitment to infrastructure, totalling A$256.6b in government expenditure over 4 years to the 2026-27 financial year, further underscores its significance.

The overarching goal of this project is to develop an innovative computational framework that overcomes current technological limitations in nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures. This framework will also leverage the opportunities offered by recent advancements in modern computer systems and digital technologies for geometry acquisition and modelling. The specific aims of the project are to:

• Develop an innovative numerical technique suited to modern digital technologies and computer systems.
• Develop a versatile technique for fully-automated generation of computer analysis models from both traditional and modern digital technologies for geometry modelling.
• Design a family of highly efficient algorithms compatible with modern computer architecture for reliable time history analyses of structures under dynamic loads.

The research outcomes will empower structural engineers to undertake reliable large-scale simulations in a timely manner to design and retrofit civil infrastructure, contributing to safer and more resilient built environments.

This project is funded by the Australian Research Council, Discovery Projects: DP250100955

Industry Partner and Student Host: Ararat City Council

Supervisors:

Principal Supervisor: Ooi Ean Tat

Ooi Ean Tat is a Professor in Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability in Federation University Australia. He obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University in 2006 and completed postdoctoral research training at prestigious institutions including Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, the University of Liverpool, and the University of New South Wales.

His research in computational mechanics focuses on advancing the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method (SBFEM), transforming it into a versatile tool for engineering and scientific applications. Key innovations include polygonal- and quadtree-scaled boundary methods and a generalized SBFEM formulation for nonlinear and multi-physics problems. He has published more than 100 research papers in peer-eminent journals and is an editorial board member for Finite Elements in Analysis and Design.

Associate and Co-Supervisors: To be confirmed