Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology

The 2026 Francine V McNiff PhD Scholarship in Criminology at Monash University offers an exceptional opportunity for doctoral research in criminology, law, and related fields. This prestigious scholarship is made possible by the generosity of the late Francine V McNiff, a Monash alumna, barrister, and the first female Magistrate in Victoria, who was passionate about law and justice. The scholarship is awarded annually through the Social and Political Sciences Graduate Research Program in the Faculty of Arts, and is open to New Zealand or Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents who demonstrate academic excellence and financial disadvantage.

Monash University, the largest university in Australia and consistently ranked among the top 100 globally, provides a vibrant research environment at its Clayton campus in Melbourne. The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by researchers in Criminology within the School of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law, ensuring interdisciplinary guidance and expertise. The Criminology program at Monash is internationally renowned for its theory-informed, data-driven, and evidence-based research, with a strong track record in influencing practice and policy at local, national, and international levels.

Research areas of interest include policing (practice and policy, race, gendered violence, police-community relations, use of force, accountability), punishment and prison reform, reintegration, restorative justice, criminal justice policy reform, hate crime, prejudice, social exclusion, gender-based violence, cybercrime, and technology-facilitated harms. Monash Criminology is distinguished by its success in attracting competitive funding and its commitment to impactful research.

The scholarship provides a Faculty of Arts Research Living Allowance of $37,145 AUD per annum (tax free, indexed) plus a top-up of $10,000 AUD per annum (non-indexed), as well as access to funding for research trips, conferences, and other research-related expenses. Candidates must have an excellent academic track record in Criminology, Law, or a relevant discipline such as Sociology, Political Science, Gender Studies, Psychology, or Human Geography. Applicants who are refugees or immigrants are encouraged to apply, and all must demonstrate financial disadvantage. Eligibility also requires meeting Monash University PhD admission criteria, including English-language proficiency, and scholarship holders must be enrolled full time and on campus. Those who already hold a PhD are not eligible, but current Monash PhD students in their first year may be considered.

To apply, candidates should first discuss their Expression of Interest (EOI) with Dr Kathryn Benier. The EOI should include a cover letter, a brief research proposal (max 750 words), CV, academic records, English language proficiency test results (if applicable), and contact details for two academic referees. Applications must be submitted by 8th June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. For further details, visit the Monash scholarship policy and procedures page or the Faculty of Arts graduate research application process page.

This scholarship supports a diverse workforce and aims to foster research that leads to meaningful change in criminology and related fields.