Grants and Awards

Supporting graduate researchers in realising their research goals and encouraging the dissemination of this information nationally and internationally. Extend the impact and application of your research through our internal grants and funding schemes.

The Faculty Graduate Researcher Fund

Maximise the impact of your research through the Faculty Graduate Researcher Fund (FGRF), which offers support for graduate researchers in undertaking activities associated with their research projects. Confirmed PhD candidates can receive up to $3,000 over the course of their candidature and up to $1,500 for Masters by Research graduate researchers. While the fund has a list of approved activities, this is not exclusive, and activities not included in this list will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. View the Faculty Graduate Researcher Fund guidelines for information regarding eligibility requirements and begin your application today.

Applications are open year round, and close on the 1st of December.

Outcomes: Outcomes are normally advised within three weeks of a complete application submission, and all successful recipients must submit an acquittal of the funds within one month of completing the project.

Let the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music support your research as it has done for numerous researchers in the past. Head to our Research page to get an idea of the exceptional and influential research that we have supported and discover the impact your research can have.

Please visit the Research Gateway for information on Faculty Researcher Grants for academic staff.

Apply now

The Graduate Research Impact Overseas Travel Scheme (G-RIOTS)

The Graduate Research Impact Overseas Travel Scheme (G-RIOTS) supports the presentation of doctoral research at an international level. This competitive fund aims to assist doctoral research candidates in traveling to present, perform and network at some of the most influential international conferences, forums and networks worldwide. Travel must be a research-related activity, with at least one distinct purpose that is clearly relevant and academically justifiable but not essential to the completion of the thesis. The purpose must include the presentation of doctoral research and result in a reportable research output. Successful candidates are eligible to receive up to $4,000 and this can only be awarded once during the candidature.

Applications will be assessed in 2 rounds in 2026:

  • Round 1: Opens Monday 13 April, closing Wednesday 13 May 2026
  • Round 2: Opens Wednesday 2 September, closing Friday 2 October 2026

Outcomes: Outcomes are normally advised within three weeks of the application deadline, and all successful recipients must submit an acquittal of the funds within one month of completing the project.

Apply now

Important reminders

  • Graduate researchers who are traveling must have their Study Away application approved and provide the approval letter in their application to be eligible to apply for these schemes. This includes obtaining a letter of support from your supervisor to support your application.
  • Quotes are required to be included in your application for items in the budget to be supported by scheme funds.
  • Please only attach PDFs as supporting documents. Other file types may not open successfully, and your content may not be retained.
  • You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your application has not been received so please contact the Research Office at fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au.

Acquittals

It is essential that all successful FGRF and G-RIOTS recipients must submit an acquittal of the funds within one month of completing the project.

Acquittals are a brief overview of how a grant was spent and the resulting benefits to your research project. Recipients are required to provide copies of ALL receipts.

Submit acquittal form

Please visit the Research Gateway for information on Faculty Researcher Grants for academic staff.

Graduate Researcher Academic Associate Program (GRAA)

The Graduate Researcher Academic Associate (GRAA) roles offer graduate researchers enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music the opportunity to undertake paid, meaningful academic work and career-advancing professional development through secure employment alongside their candidature.

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled in a graduate research degree in the same Faculty where the role is advertised
  • Post confirmation with at least 12 months remaining in their candidature

Role Details:

  • Academic appointments: minimum Level A2 (incrementing annually), with superannuation
  • Fixed Term Part-time employment: from 0.2 FTE to 0.3 FTE for full-time graduate researchers and between 0.1 FTE and 0.15 FTE for part-time graduate researchers
  • Professional development: minimum 30 hours

For the position description and application link, please see the job advertisement here. Current candidates can view an information session recording here for further information.

Positions beginning Semester 2, 2025 have now been filled after applications closed on 26 May 2025. Future application dates TBA in 2026.

This program has replaced the GAP program - Current GAP candidates are unaffected and will see out their existing GAP program contracts and development program.

Conservatorium Director's Awards for Exceptional Doctoral Research

The Melbourne Conservatorium Director’s Awards for Exceptional Doctoral Research are granted on a competitive basis to support outstanding Conservatorium PhD candidates to produce high quality research outputs closely following submission of the PhD thesis or portfolio for examination.

You can find more information about upcoming deadlines and how to apply here.

Faculty Graduate Student Assistance Grants

This scheme is coordinated by the Faculty Scholarships Office and offers up to $500 for graduate students for purposes associated with their study, including equipment and materials.

Find More about Scholarships

Pivot RP Funding Database

Pivot-RP is the University of Melbourne’s newest database for research funding opportunities and a source of international research policy and practice news. The database has enhanced searching capability and tailored weekly alerts based on academic profiles taken from Find an Expert.

Implemented in December 2023, the University of Melbourne uses Pivot-RP to send email bulletins containing funding news and opportunities to researchers, as well as University-wide urgent information about major grants and funding schemes. Additional information about Pivot-RP can be found on the Research Gateway including how to sign up for the RIC Bulletin, User Guide and Troubleshooting tips.