A graduate research fellowship for French and international students conducting research on human rights at the University of Melbourne. Benefits: full tuition waiver, living allowance, relocation assistance, and student health insurance (OSHC), depending on the applicant’s profile. Deadline: October 31, 2026.
A graduate research fellowship for French and international students conducting research on human rights at the University of Melbourne. Benefits: full tuition waiver, living allowance, relocation assistance, and student health insurance (OSHC), depending on the applicant’s profile. Deadline: October 31, 2026.
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Overview - The University of Melbourne’s “Human Rights Scholarship” is a graduate research scholarship for Australian and international students who wish to pursue a research program in the field of human rights. It is intended for candidates who are preparing to enter a graduate research program and whose research project directly contributes to the understanding, promotion, or peaceful advancement of respect for human rights. Scholarship Amount – The scholarship combines full tuition waiver with substantial financial aid. The official website lists an estimated value of between $89,000 and $155,000, including a living allowance of $44,500 per year, calculated on a pro-rata basis based on the 2026 full-time rate, a full tuition waiver, a relocation allowance based on the student’s place of origin, and OSHC health coverage for eligible international students. Target Audience - This opportunity is open to prospective students who have been admitted or are in the process of being admitted to a graduate research program at the University of Melbourne, primarily a research master’s or a Ph.D. The research topic must be in the field of human rights, and the application must demonstrate a commitment that extends beyond academic studies : for example, through volunteer work, professional experience, civic engagement, or fieldwork. What the Committee Is Looking For – Selection is based on the ranking established by the jury, which takes into account the application materials and the admission score for the research program. A compelling application must therefore combine academic excellence, a coherent research proposal, a sincere commitment to human rights, and the ability to explain how the proposed research will contribute to the advancement of the discipline. Deadline – Applications have been open since April 1, 2026, and will close on October 31, 2026. The SmartyGrants portal states that applications must be submitted by midnight on October 31, 2026, Sydney time (AEDT). It is recommended that you submit your application several days before the deadline to avoid any issues with logging in, uploading files, or validating the form. Results - Applicants are notified of the results by email in February of the following year. The university states that no reasons for rejection or individual comments are provided. Important Note : This scholarship does not replace the university admission process. To be considered, applicants must have received an offer of admission to a graduate research program for the academic year in which the scholarship is awarded. They must therefore carefully coordinate their admission to the research program with their scholarship application.
Official source
University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship - site officiel
https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/human-rights-scholarship
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The Human Rights Scholarship is a research scholarship offered by the University of Melbourne to candidates pursuing graduate-level research in the field of human rights.
It may support domestic and international students, provided that the candidate’s research project and academic background demonstrate a strong connection to human rights.
The scholarship is particularly attractive because it combines full tuition waivers with a living stipend and, depending on the applicant’s circumstances, relocation assistance or international health insurance coverage.
Claimed Benefits
This scholarship is intended for applicants whose interest in human rights goes beyond a purely theoretical one. The application requires applicants to demonstrate a commitment that extends beyond their studies, such as through volunteer work, professional experience, or active involvement in human rights causes.
Relevant Profiles
The official criteria are brief but strict. The key requirement is to have an offer to begin a graduate research program in the year the fellowship is awarded and to propose a research project related to human rights.
Key Criteria
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate or candidates ranked highest by the selection committee. The ranking is based on the scholarship application and the admission score for the research program.
A competitive application must therefore be strong in two areas: academic excellence for admission to the program and the quality of the applicant’s commitment and project proposal for the Human Rights Scholarship.
What the file must demonstrate
Applications are submitted online through the University of Melbourne’s SmartyGrants portal. The form allows you to start, save, return to it later, and then submit once all required questions have been completed.
Before or while applying for the scholarship, the applicant must work on securing admission to a graduate research degree program. Without an offer of admission to the research program, the scholarship application cannot be considered.
The application must explain how the candidate’s commitment to human rights extends beyond the academic sphere, and how the proposed research will enhance their understanding of and contribution to the field.
The applicant must complete Form 2027 (Human Rights Scholarship), attach the required documents, check for validation errors, and submit the application before the deadline. Once submitted, it is no longer possible to make changes or upload new documents.
The official page does not provide a comprehensive checklist of documents required for the scholarship, but the SmartyGrants portal indicates that supporting documents may be required. Therefore, you should prepare your academic materials and proof of commitment in advance.
Recommended Preparation
The official dates allow you to plan your application well in advance. The timeframe is broad, but coordinating with the graduate research degree admissions process can take time.
Important Dates
The best application should have a clear thread running through it: your concrete commitment to human rights, your research question, why Melbourne is a good academic environment, and the contribution your research can make.
Practical Tips
Official applications must be submitted through the University of Melbourne’s scholarships website and the SmartyGrants portal. Applicants should avoid intermediaries and never pay for a so-called guarantee of selection.
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