Industry and project-specific scholarships
Federation University is excited to present opportunities for prospective HDR candidates to partner with industry and receive a stipend to support their studies. Please see our available opportunities below.
Federation University is pleased to partner with Outlook Industries and Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) to offer a Master of Philosophy (Engineering) scholarship in robotics.
Scholarship details
Stipend: $38,500 per annum, paid in fortnightly tax-free installments
RTP Project Funding Allowance: $3,000 per annum available to support your project
RTP Fee-offset Scholarship: $36,000 of tuition fees covered per annum
Funding length: 2 years (six-month extensions permitted upon application)
Location: Churchill campus
Internship: 6 month internship, further details to come
Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy degree. 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.
Applications will be accepted from Australian citizens, permanent residents and NZ citizens only.
Applicants should contact A/Prof Gayan Kahandawa Appuhamillage prior to submitting an application.
Application closing date: 15/12/2025
How to apply: Applicants must submit their application with all necessary documents by completing the HDR Candidature application
Please note this project in the scholarships section of your appplication.
Commencement date: 23/02/2026
Research project details
Project title: AI-Based terrain detection with smart wheels for autonomous robotics
Federation University and Outlook Industries collaborate to develop a comprehensive autonomous navigation system for field robots capable of operating in diverse environments, including rural and remote areas. The system integrates global navigation, leveraging data from self-tracking modules, 3D mapping landmarks, onboard GeoSuite maps, and AI predictions to plan optimal routes. Local navigation is enhanced using sensory data and Kalman/Particle filter-based tracking algorithms to detect and respond to moving objects. The integration of Agoraphilic technology enables the robot to identify and prioritize free, navigable space, ensuring safe operation in unfamiliar terrains. AI-powered perception using passive camera-based sensing minimizes emissions and enhances discretion.
In this project, the aim is to develop, haptic feedback, derived from wheel current and torque signatures, which allows the robot to sense and adapt to terrain conditions, optimizing mobility and stability. These advancements collectively provide robust, autonomous navigation capabilities on top of the existing technologies. The project aims to develop AI-based terrain detection system to work in tangent with vision systems.
Industry Partner and Student Host: Outlook Industries
Supervisors:
Principal Supervisor:
Associate Professor in Mechatronics
Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability
Federation University Australia
Office 116 | Building 4W | Churchill Campus
Northways Road, Churchill VIC 3842
T +61 3 5122 8612 | M +61 466 267 946
Associate and Co-Supervisors:
Professor Joarder Kamruzzaman, PhD
Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability
Federation University Australia
Office 3W 204 | Building 3W | Gippsland Campus
Northways Road | Churchill | PO Box 3191 Gippsland Mail Centre VIC 3841
T +61 3 5122 6665
Dr Linh Nguyen, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability
Federation University Australia
Gippsland Campus
PO Box 3191 Gippsland Mail Centre VIC 3841
T +61 3 5122 6129
How to apply
Some industry scholarships have expression of interest forms that must be submitted along with your candidature application. Please ensure you read the scholarship information carefully and complete all steps.
Directions on how to apply are available at Apply - Higher Degrees by Research. Please include the name of the scholarship for which you are applying on the Admission Form. All applicants should check their eligibility prior to applying.
Applications should include all relevant supporting documentation and Federation University must receive completed referee report forms by the scholarship closing date. As part of their application, prospective Higher Degree by Research applicants are also required to provide:
- Transcripts of all tertiary level academic study
- Australian citizens must provide a copy of their birth certificate or passport
- Permanent Residents must provide a copy of their visa and passport
- List of published work with URL links and/or copy of each publication
- Copy of honours or masters thesis abstract
- Evidence for Australian honours equivalency, if applicable.
- Any awards or accolades
- Any other evidence of research performance
Federation University partners with local industry to provide research opportunities and regional innovation. If your company or organisation has a project suitable for research and wish to sponsor a higher degrees by research candidate then contact us at research.degrees@federation.edu.au.