Melbourne International Research Scholarships for Foreign Students to Study in Australia

Melbourne International Research Scholarships (MIRS)

Course(s) Offered: All fields
Course Level: Graduate (masters, PhD)
Provider: Australian Government
Country to Study in: Australia

Scholarship Description
IMPORTANT NOTICE: From 2016, the Melbourne International Research Scholarship (MIRS) is part of the Melbourne Research Scholarship program. Read full details here.
Foreign students from countries worldwide are awarded The Melbourne International Research Scholarships (MIRS) to undertake graduate research degree studies at the University of Melbourne.

MIRS scholarship awards are funded by the University of Melbourne with each faculty having a limited number to award.

Eligibility
To be considered for the MIRS, you must:

• be an international applicant (ie. a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand, and not an Australian permanent resident);
• have completed tertiary studies that are at least equivalent to a 4-year honours degree at an Australian university with a minimum result of first class honours;
• have applied for admission to undertake a master or doctorate by research degree or be currently enrolled in a research degree at the University of Melbourne
• have not already completed a research qualification at the same or higher level as the course for which a scholarship is sought.

Selection criteria:
Selection is based on eligibility criteria, academic merit and research potential.

Eligible groups
Citizens of any nationality may apply (EXCEPT Australia or New Zealand)

Participating Institution
University of Melbourne, Australia

Fields of study
All graduate research degree courses offered at the University

Number of awards
About 200 new Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRSs) are offered every year, of which about 150 are normally awarded to international students as MIRSs.

Sponsorship duration
The duration of the MIRS is up to two years for student undertaking a master by research degree and up to three years, with a possible six month extension, for students undertaking a doctorate by research degree.

Scholarship benefits
The following benefits apply:

1. in line with Australia Postgraduate Award:
   
   • fortnightly living allowance;
   • relocation grant for students moving to Melbourne from interstate or from outside Australia;
   • thesis Allowance; and
   • limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave.
2. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) (single membership)

Method of Application
To be considered for a MIRS award, applicants need to apply for and be given an offer in a graduate research degree course (eg. masters by research, PhD or other research doctorate), and also apply for the scholarship at the University of Melbourne.

Current University of Melbourne students who are enrolled in a research degree for which they wish to receive an Australia Postgraduate Award must apply through the 'Student Portal'.

All other students must complete an 'Application for Admission to Graduate Research Degree Candidature and Scholarship' (the online form found on the official website). Applicants must have applied for admission to undertake a master or doctorate by research degree.

It is important to visit the official website (see here and also below) for links to online forms and also for complete information on how to apply.

DEADLINES:
Applicants are encouraged to submit their admission and scholarship applications and all required documents well before the closing date(s). Applications submitted after the deadline date will only be considered for any MIRS that remain at the time the application is assessed for scholarship.

The closing date is 31 October (Round 1) or 31 May (Round 2). However, the following faculties have more than two rounds: Engineering; and Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

PLEASE NOTE:
Applicants will be advised via email as soon as an outcome to their scholarship application is determined. The University assesses applications for scholarships on an ongoing basis. As a general rule:

• applications submitted before 31 October (Round 1) will be finalised by 15 February of the following year, and
• applications submitted before 31 May (Round 2) will be finalised by 31 July.

Scholarship assessment guidelines, tips for applicants and other funding opportunities may be found on the Student Services page.

Application Deadline: 31 October 2014 / 31 May 2015
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Scholarships in Australia for International Students