Australian Research Council (ARC) 2026
About this scholarship
Australian Research Council (ARC) funding supports research scholarships and fellowships linked to ARC-funded projects at Australian universities. Opportunities are usually advertised by the host university or project lead.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) is Australia’s national competitive research funding body. Rather than operating as a single direct-to-student scholarship round in most cases, ARC funding commonly supports PhD scholarships, research studentships, and some postdoctoral roles embedded within ARC-funded projects such as Discovery Projects, Linkage Projects, Future Fellowships, Laureate Fellowships, and DECRA awards at Australian universities.
For students, this means ARC-backed opportunities are usually tied to a specific research project, supervisor, and university. Reference postings show ARC-supported positions across a wide range of disciplines, including public health, chemistry, engineering, education, geoscience, human-computer interaction, environmental science, economics, and creative practice. Most advertised student opportunities are at PhD level, though some universities also offer ARC-linked Master’s by Research support. Some ARC-funded opportunities also extend to postdoctoral research roles.
Funding varies by host institution and project, but ARC-linked scholarships are often fully funded. Postings indicate support may include a tuition waiver, a living stipend, and sometimes additional benefits such as research costs or conference/research travel. Typical stipend figures in posted opportunities are often around the standard Australian research scholarship range, but the exact amount depends on the university and year.
Eligibility is set by the host university and project. Common expectations include strong academic results, meeting doctoral admission requirements, relevant disciplinary background, and satisfying English language requirements for international applicants. Some projects are open worldwide, while others are restricted to domestic applicants or require Australian work rights.
ARC-funded opportunities are hosted in Australia and applicants usually apply through the relevant university, faculty, or supervisor rather than directly to the ARC. To find suitable openings, look for advertised PhD scholarships, postgraduate research scholarships, and research fellow positions that explicitly state they are supported by ARC funding.
Eligibility
Who can apply for this scholarship
Eligibility depends on the specific ARC-funded project and host institution. In reference postings, applicants were typically required to meet university admission requirements for a PhD or Master’s by Research, have a strong honours or master’s degree with a research component, and demonstrate relevant disciplinary knowledge for the project. Some opportunities are open to international applicants, while others are restricted to domestic applicants or require valid Australian work rights.
Requirements
Documents typically needed to apply
Language requirements
Applicants generally must meet the English language requirements of the host Australian university. Some postings explicitly require compliance with doctoral English entry standards for Higher Degree Research programs.
Where you can use this
Open positions accepting Australian Research Council (ARC).
