NSW Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Doctoral Training Centre Scholarship

The University of Newcastle, in partnership with 12 NSW universities and key government departments, is offering a PhD Scholarship focused on Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) through the NSW Doctoral Training Centre. This initiative is part of the NSW and ACT Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Research Network, which aims to deliver strategic, evidence-based research to address DFSV and create safer communities across New South Wales. The program is aligned with the NSW Government’s Domestic and Family Violence Plan and is funded by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer under the Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP).

DFSV is a critical social issue in NSW, intersecting with systemic and structural inequalities and resulting in life-threatening consequences. Statistics highlight the urgency: one in four women in NSW have experienced violence or abuse by a partner, one in six children have witnessed violence, 65% of LGBTIQA+ people have experienced DFSV, Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be victims, and people with disabilities are 2.6 times more at risk. Domestic violence is the leading preventable risk factor for illness and death in women aged 18 to 44.

PhD projects will address government priority areas, including strengthening the service system, responding to sexual violence, understanding family dynamics and experiences of violence, understanding perpetrators, developing prevention strategies, supporting children and young people, and supporting Aboriginal communities. The Doctoral Training Centre offers government-aligned research, multidisciplinary collaboration across public health, justice, and housing, embedded applied learning, integrated knowledge translation, and authentic lived experience integration.

Successful candidates will join a proactive, multi-disciplinary cohort, embedded within an interdisciplinary supervisory and practice network. The program supports impact-driven research that bridges academia, government, and frontline services, with close engagement in policy, practice, and community contexts. The scholarship provides financial support of up to $42,000 per annum for 3.5 years, a tuition fee scholarship, and up to $1,500 relocation allowance. Additional benefits include access to targeted events, professional development, and sector-engaged learning experiences designed to enhance research quality and impact.

Applicants should have a strong interest in DFSV research, be committed to applied, practice-based research, and bring interdisciplinary perspectives from health, social work, law, justice, psychology, or related fields. Connections to policy, service delivery, or community contexts are highly regarded, and prior sector experience is valued. Minimum eligibility criteria for PhD admission at the University of Newcastle must be met.

To apply, send an email expressing your interest, including scanned academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a proposal linking your interests to the research project. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on 15 May 2026. For more information and to access the application portal, visit the provided link.