The transition to a sustainable energy future is one of the world's greatest challenges, and one of its greatest opportunities.
If you're passionate about creating real-world impact, a PhD can position you at the forefront of energy innovation, shaping the technologies, policies and solutions that will define the future.
A PhD is more than a research qualification. It gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the global energy transition while working alongside leading researchers addressing some of the world's most pressing energy challenges. You'll develop specialist expertise in a rapidly evolving field, while gaining transferable skills in critical thinking, problem solving, project management and communication that are highly valued by employers. These capabilities can open doors to a wide range of careers across industry, research organisations, government, consulting, start-ups and the broader clean energy sector.
The Melbourne Energy Institute is pleased to offer strategic scholarships to support high-performing domestic students undertaking energy-related PhD research at the University of Melbourne.
These scholarships are designed to attract outstanding candidates who are committed to advancing knowledge and delivering impact across the energy sector. Scholarships are available to domestic candidates undertaking a PhD (or joint PhD) at the University of Melbourne. Students must commence their PhD in 2026. Apply by 31 July 2026.
In order to be eligible, the candidate must meet the following conditions:
I. each recipient of a strategic scholarship must meet the four listed requirements as well as at least one of the University’s allocation principles in Section A; and
II. all Melbourne supervisors of the scholarship recipient have up-to-date supervisor training and are registered and eligible to supervise as per the Supervisor Eligibility and Registration Policy (MPF1322);
Please note that:
a) this allocation of scholarships is not transferrable to other research groups or to future years; and
b) any scholarship offers to ineligible applicants will be the financial responsibility of the allocating faculty.
Note: The Graduate Research Hub Scholarships page has information, terms and conditions for RTP Scholarships at the University. For any queries about this scholarship allocation, email the Chancellery Graduate Research Team at gr-chancellery@unimelb.edu.au or the Melbourne Energy Institute at mei-info@unimelb.edu.au.
Section A – CRE scholarships recipient requirements and principles
Recipients must:
1. meet the following four requirements:
a) have completed tertiary studies that are at least equivalent to a 4-year honours degree at an Australian university with a minimum result equivalent to a first-class Honours (80%);
b) have not previously completed a PhD or received Australian funding towards a graduate research degree;
c) have received a PhD course offer to study at the University of Melbourne; and
d) be a domestic student commencing their PhD in the 2026 calendar year;
and
2. adhere to one of the University-wide allocation principles points1, by having:
a) a named co-supervisor or collaborator from a partner institution* outside Australia and intends to either spend at least two months during their PhD at the international collaborating institution or undertake research overseas; or
b) a co-supervisor from a faculty different to the primary supervisor where this deepens or creates collaboration; or
c) a named co-supervisor or collaborator from an external organisation considered a research end user** and conduct at least 60 (full time equivalent) days of research and development on a project of benefit to that organisation; or
d) work on a research project connected to “Place” as articulated in Advancing Melbourne.
*“partner institution” is defined as either a University-wide strategic research partner, an Institute-/Faculty-level research partner as defined within their Research Strategy, or a new partner of demonstrable value to the Faculty, subject to ADGR approval.
**“research end-user” as defined by the Australian Government, explicitly excluding universities, their affiliates, subsidiaries, or medical research institutes per this Glossary term | TCSI Support.
Recipients of the scholarship must acknowledge the contribution of the Australian Commonwealth Government in any published or produced material which relates to the research project for which the scholarship was awarded.
1 Endorsed by the Committee of Associate Deans (Graduate Research) (CGRAD) for the University’s strategic scholarships, where funded by CRE.
To apply for a Melbourne Energy Institute Strategic Scholarship, applicants must email mei-info@unimelb.edu.au by 11:59pm on 31 July 2026 and include the following:
Read more about Graduate Research Scholarships available at the University of Melbourne, or contact the Melbourne Energy Institute.