GRDC Research Scholarship

A GRDC Research Scholarship (GRS) supports PhD candidates in delivering innovative research that addresses constraints or builds opportunities for Australian grain growers to help improve their farm business sustainability and profitability.

The 3-year scholarship, worth over $35,000 per year, provides high-achieving students with the financial and industry support to complete their PhD in an area aligned with our RD&E Plan 2023-28.

The GRS program is an important component of GRDC’s investment in developing researcher capacity and ability to ensure we have the best researchers with the skills and expertise working on problems or opportunities relevant to the grains industry.

A GRS is primarily a top-up scholarship for students already receiving a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or equivalent.

If you don't have an RTP or equivalent scholarship but excel at what you do and your PhD topic addresses grains industry problems or opportunities, we still encourage you to apply. GRDC will consider areas where research capacity is lacking and needs to be built.

Priority areas for GRDC

This year, we would love to see applications aligned with the following focus areas of our RD&E Plan 2023-28:

Biosecurity, weed, pest and disease control (Harness existing potential)
Step-changes in soil and water productivity (Reach new frontiers)
Transform efficiency of input use (Reach new frontiers)
Add value to the crop to increase margins (Grow markets and capture value)
Lower post-farm gate costs (Grow markets and capture value)
Sustainable, responsible production systems (Thrive for future generations)
Support communities and social licence (Thrive for future generations)

Our research partners deliver world-class R&D for Australian grain growers and the broader Australian community. We’re looking for applicants whose contributions continue this legacy of innovation.

Key dates

Monday 2 September - Applications open
Monday 7 October - Deadline for submission of enquiries
Monday 14 October - Applications close.

Applying

Please read all information before applying, we strongly recommend you have a good understanding of GRDC’s RD&E priorities and consider future trends affecting the Australian grains industry.

Applications must be submitted via the Grains Investment Portal.

All applications must address the eligibility and evaluation criteria. Please attach documents e.g. referee reports, BEFORE submitting your application.

Applicants must read the GRDC Research Scholarship Agreement before applying.

Applicants must identify any contract clauses they or their research institution do not comply with in their application.

The scholarship contract is with the research institution (university), not the student (applicant). Therefore, this must be done in consultation with an applicant's research institution. Any concerns can then be highlighted in the contract compliance statement of the application.

Please also identify in the contract compliance statement, any intellectual property (IP) created from the research if you have started your PhD.

While GRDC will not own any IP created during the scholarship agreement, we do request a non-exclusive right to use IP for internal purposes. Please refer to Clause 6. of the scholarship agreement for details.

Conditions for participation

The applicant must be the student undertaking the PhD, a supervisor cannot apply on behalf of a student.

You must be admitted into full-time PhD study. Please include your PhD start date, applicants who have already commenced their PhD may apply.
You must submit at least two referee reports on the GRDC template, including from your proposed principal supervisor.
In response to this Condition for Participation, you must identify the Pillar and Focus Area from GRDC’s RD&E Plan 2023 - 28 that your PhD topic aligns with.
1. Please only choose one Focus Area. If your topic aligns with more than one, choose the most appropriate fit, GRDC will consider alignment during the evaluation process.
You should be awarded a Research Training Programs (RTP) scholarship or equivalent. International students must be awarded a university tuition fee waiver and living allowance.

You must include proof of scholarship. If the outcome of your RTP application or equivalent is unknown at the time of application, successful applicants will be asked to confirm they have been awarded an RTP or equivalent prior to contracting.

If you have not been awarded an RTP or equivalent, you must demonstrate exceptional ability in your chosen field and clearly demonstrate how your PhD topic addresses grains industry problems or opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical: The extent to which the application meets the Technical Requirements.
1. Proposed Research Topic: In 500 words or less, describe the research project that would be undertaken if this application was successful. We strongly urge applicants to consider our priority areas of research and indicate how the PhD research aligns with our RD&E Plan (weighting 35%).
2. Industry Impact: In 300 words or less, demonstrate how your PhD will impact the Australian grains industry and contribute to grower profitability. For example, define the path to market, or how the research outputs will be taken up by industry to progress research or technology (weighting 35%).
3. Student academic record and research ability: Attach a copy of your most recent academic record. In 250 words or less, explain why you should be awarded a GRDC Research Scholarship (weighting 30%).
Risk: Risks inherent in the application. For example, the degree of compliance with the Draft Contract (provide feedback from your research institution on the proposed contract), and any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Scholarship value

The GRS is primarily a top-up scholarship.

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Stipend	$23,750	$23,750	$23,750
Operating	$11,000	$11,000	$11,000
Travel up to*	$1,850	$1,850	$1,850

*Scholars receive up to $5,550 for travel to attend conferences, workshops or skills development over life of scholarship.

Relevant documents

Questions and answers

Part 1

Q1. I have already received an RTP and a top-up scholarship taking me to the maximum stipend amount allowed under the RTP terms and conditions. However, my top-up scholarship does not have travel and operating funds, can I apply for GRS travel and operational funds only?

A1. No. You cannot apply for part of the GRDC Research Scholarship funds.

Q2. I have already commenced my PhD, can I still apply for a GRS?

A2. Yes, as stated in the Condition for Participation 1. "...applicants who have commenced their PhD may apply".

Q3. If I am receiving an RTP stipend and a fee offset scholarship, am I eligible to apply for a GRDC Research Scholarship?

A3. GRDC accepts applications from all students who meet the Conditions for Participation and can address the Evaluation Criteria.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure they also comply with the conditions of their university and RTP Scholarship terms and conditions, and associated policies that apply to them.

For example, a student receiving an RTP Scholarship are not prevented from applying for addition financial support or awards. However, under paragraph 1.5(2) of the Guidelines, a student needs to be aware that, to continue to be eligible for an RTP stipend place, they must not be in receipt of an equivalent award, scholarship or salary related to their course of study that provides a benefit greater than 75% of their annual RTP stipend rate.

Also recommend reviewing the Q&A link on RTPs for students for more guidance.

Q4. I am currently doing a Master of Research and my research interests aligns with the priority areas of GRDC. My supervisor is willing to support me to continue my work for PhD, can I apply for the GRDC Research Scholarship 2025?

A4. The deadline for submitting a GRS application is not flexible, GRDC will not accept applications after the closing date. However, you may apply if you can meet the Conditions for Participation, for example you:

1. will be admitted into full-time PhD study in 2025

2. attach two referee reports, including one from your proposed PhD supervisor

3. can identify the Pillar and Focus Area from GRDC's RD&E Plan 2023 - 28 your proposed PhD topic aligns with

4. have applied and can confirm the status of your (PhD application and therefore) RTP or equivalent scholarship prior to contracting should your:

application be successful, OR
demonstrate exceptional ability in your chosen field and how your PhD topic addresses grains industry problems or opportunities.

Q5. Do I need to identify and describe any possible risks in my application and proposed project (Evaluation Criteria 2.) or will the evaluation committee handle this?

A5. You do not need to specifically identify possible risks when applying for a GRS. GRDC will consider the potential risks of an application from the corporation's perspective, based on the information you provide when responding to the:

eligibility criteria
evaluation criteria 1. Technical (i, ii, iii)
contract compliance statement.

Part 2

Q6. I am not sure what I should fill in for my organisation, contract supervisor, and contract administrator when applying. Is it correct that the applicant (student) be listed as the contract supervisor?

A6. Your organisation is the university you're completing your PhD with and you should complete your application in consultation with the university. If your application is successful GRDC contracts with your research institution (university), not the student/applicant.

The contract supervisor will be your PhD supervisor and the contract administrator will be from your university.

Enquiries

Please contact Tenders - tenders@grdc.com.au