Apply Now: The Maxwell King PhD Scholarship (MKS) 2025-2026

Are you a researcher aiming to pursue a PhD and in need of financial support to cover your living expenses while studying in Australia? The Maxwell King PhD Scholarship at Monash University offers this opportunity. Applications are open for the 2025-2026 round, deadline 31 October 2025. If you meet the criteria, this could be your chance to conduct research in HASS or STEM with strong financial backing.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Monash University campuses, Australia.

• Study Level: PhD (Doctoral research).

• Target Group: Domestic (Australian citizens, permanent residents, NZ citizens, humanitarian visa holders) & International PhD candidates.

• Fields of Study: Two scholarship streams each year: one in Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), and one in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

• Value / Coverage: AUD $52,352 per annum (2025 rate) stipend; plus research allowance; relocation allowance if eligible.

• Duration: Usually aligned with the standard duration of a full-time PhD at Monash. (Note: the exact number of years isn’t always stated clearly in all sources.)

• Number Offered: Two per year – one in HASS, one in STEM disciplines.

• Application Deadline: 31 October each year.

  
  

📚 Scholarship Overview

The Maxwell King PhD Scholarship (MKS) is named after Professor Maxwell King, in recognition of his significant contributions to graduate research at Monash University, including eight years as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training).

It is designed to support outstanding PhD students by easing financial burdens so that recipients can focus on their research. The support includes a generous stipend (living allowance), allowances for research costs, and relocation allowances for those who need to move for their studies.

Each year two awards are made: one for a candidate in HASS and another in STEM. This ensures that a broad range of research disciplines are supported.

🎁 Benefits

• Living allowance (stipend): ~ AUD 52,352 per annum (2025 rate).

• Research allowance: To help cover expenses related to dissertation or lab work or other research needs.

• Relocation allowance: For those who relocate interstate or from overseas to join the program.

• Academic prestige & support: Being awarded a high-profile scholarship at Monash offers visibility, access to university resources, and joining a research-focused environment.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the MKS PhD Scholarship, you must:

1. Be one of the following: Australian citizen; New Zealand citizen; Australian permanent resident; hold an Australian humanitarian visa; or be an international student.

2. Have submitted a scholarship application in the current year.

3. Meet Monash University’s competitive scholarship selection criteria (these typically include academic excellence, research outputs, and prior research experience).

4. Meet English language proficiency requirements set by Monash.

5. Be applying for or enrolled in a full-time PhD at Monash, in either HASS or STEM stream.

✍🏻 Application Procedure

• How to Apply:

  • Make your PhD course application and scholarship application at the same time via Monash’s application system (myApp Portal). If you are a new applicant, you may need an invitation from the relevant faculty before starting the scholarship application.

  • If already enrolled, follow the process for continuing students as per graduate research scholarship application guidelines.

• Documents typically required:

  • Academic transcripts from previous degrees.

  • Evidence of research outputs or publications (if applicable).

  • Proof of English proficiency (e.g. test scores or equivalent).

  • Any required research proposal or statement of purpose, depending on the faculty.

• Deadline: Submit everything by 31 October in the relevant scholarship round. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted.

ℹ️ Extra Information

• The scholarship is highly competitive; academic excellence and research experience strongly strengthen applications.

• Only two awards are made globally per year (one in HASS, one in STEM). So even though there are many eligible candidates, the number of slots is very limited.

• The scholarship supports full-time PhD study. It’s not explicitly stated whether part-time candidates are eligible—if you are considering part-time, check with Monash Graduate Research.

• Relocation allowance is available but only for those who need to move; domestic vs overseas rates may differ.

🔗 Official Website

---