Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS) 2026

Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS) is a graduate research scholarship offered by Monash University Malaysia for high-achieving doctoral candidates. It is designed to support PhD research linked to selected priority projects and thematic clusters, while giving scholars the opportunity to gain international research experience through a mobility period at partner locations such as Australia, and in some projects Indonesia or India.

The scholarship is primarily for PhD study at Monash University Malaysia. Based on published project calls, GEMS supports research across a wide range of disciplines including arts and social sciences, business and economics, engineering, information technology, medicine and health sciences, pharmacy, and science. Applicants typically apply to a specific advertised GEMS research topic and are expected to prepare a relevant research proposal aligned with that project.

GEMS is described in reference postings as a fully funded award. Support may include a 100% tuition fee waiver, a monthly living stipend while based in Malaysia, a higher stipend during the mobility period in Australia, and a one-off grant to help with visa, insurance, and travel costs. Some postings also mention possible additional support for conferences, fieldwork, or other research-related activities. The overall duration commonly listed is about 42 months, with most of the candidature in Malaysia and up to several months abroad.

Applicants are generally expected to hold a First Class Honours (H1) degree or an equivalent qualification recognised by Monash University Malaysia, and to meet the university's English language entry requirements. Project-specific academic backgrounds and technical skills may also be required. The scholarship appears to be open to both Malaysian and international applicants, although some individual projects may state a preference for Malaysians.

To apply, candidates usually respond to an advertised GEMS PhD project through the relevant Monash University Malaysia research or project page and submit academic transcripts, certificates, a CV, and other supporting materials requested for the chosen topic.