2026 Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship (CF-MGS) in Australia

The 2026 Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship (CF-MGS) provides up to $37,145 in annual living stipends, relocation support, and full tuition coverage for domestic and international students entering Master’s or PhD research degrees in Australia. Financed jointly by Monash University and its enrolling academic faculties, this funding opportunity operates across four major selection cycles throughout the year.

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Applicants from all nationalities are eligible for consideration, provided they meet Monash’s competitive academic standards and English proficiency benchmarks. The first international application round closes on March 31, 2026. Here is the complete breakdown of eligibility, coverage, required documents, and application steps.

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Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship Summary

Background and Institutional Funding Model

The Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship relies on a shared financial model between central university funds and individual academic faculties. By pairing university resources directly with enrolling units—such as the Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, or Faculty of Pharmacy—Monash distributes research funding across priority disciplines.

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This joint funding arrangement supports graduate researchers undertaking Doctor of Philosophy or Master’s by Research programs. The structure also extends to candidates participating in Joint Research Awards where Monash University acts as the primary home institution.

Financial Support Package

The Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship provides a comprehensive, multi-tiered financial package engineered to minimize financial burden and allow scholars to focus fully on their research initiatives. The award consists of three core funding mechanisms:

• Annual Living Allowance Stipend: Scholars receive a non-taxable stipend valued at $37,145 per year. The programme provides this ongoing financial support throughout the standard duration of the research programme to help cover essential living expenses, including housing, food, utilities, and instructional materials.
• 100% Faculty Tuition Support: For successful international candidates who would otherwise incur international student fees, the host faculty awards a full tuition-paying scholarship. This benefit covers 100% of the tuition costs for the entirety of the Master’s by Research or PhD program, ensuring candidates can pursue their degree without personal tuition debt.
• Relocation Allowance: Eligible candidates who relocate to Victoria, Australia, to begin their studies receive a dedicated relocation allowance to help cover the initial costs of moving.This helps offset upfront travel expenses, transit, and initial establishment costs in Australia.

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Candidate Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet a strict set of academic, residency, and institutional criteria. You must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Residency and Citizenship: You must be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, an Australian humanitarian visa holder, or an international applicant from any country.
• Enrolment Status: You must hold a formal offer or actively intend to enroll in a full-time graduate research program—specifically a Master’s by Research or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—at Monash University or an approved Joint Research Award where Monash is the primary home institution.
• Academic Entry Standards: You must satisfy all general academic admission benchmarks set by Monash University, which typically include holding a relevant bachelor’s degree with high honors or an equivalent research-track qualification.
• English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate full compliance with Monash University’s English language requirements through approved English language tests or recognized prior English-medium instruction.
• Competitive Merit Selection: You must meet the competitive selection metrics evaluated by the Monash Graduate Research Office, which assess past academic achievements, research outputs, and institutional research priorities.

Required Documentation

Preparing a thorough and accurate application package is essential for scholarship consideration. Applicants must upload complete, certified copies of the following documents into the application portal before the round deadline:

• Official Academic Transcripts: Fully certified transcripts, degree completion certificates, and official mark sheets for all previous undergraduate and postgraduate university studies.
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date CV detailing your academic background, relevant work experience, research outputs, peer-reviewed publications, awards, and professional memberships.
• Detailed Research Proposal: A clear, well-structured research proposal that outlines your intended research topic, problem statement, research questions, methodology, and theoretical framework.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency: Official results from recognized language assessments (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic) verifying that you meet the minimum language thresholds required by your enrolling faculty, if applicable.
• Academic Reference Letters: Formal letters of recommendation or confidential referee reports from academic supervisors or professors who can attest to your research capability, analytical skills, and academic potential.
• Official Faculty Invitation: For new applicants, you must secure an official Expression of Interest (EOI) approval or formal invitation to apply from your prospective Monash faculty before submitting your main application.

How to Prepare for the Next Selection Cycle: Step-by-Step Application Process

Securing a Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship (CF-MGS) requires early planning months before the portal opens.Because the university awards research funding through competitive evaluation rounds, prospective scholars should follow a structured preparation plan to strengthen their applications for the next intake.

Step 1: Secure a Faculty Invitation & Prospective Supervisor

• Initiate Outreach Early: Long before the official application round opens, research academic staff within your target Monash faculty (such as Information Technology, Law, or Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences) using the Monash Find a Supervisor directory.
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Most host faculties require applicants to submit a formal Expression of Interest (EOI) or a pre-application package directly to a prospective primary supervisor or department.
• Obtain the Faculty Invitation: Once a faculty member agrees to mentor your project, the host academic unit will issue an official “Invitation to Apply”. This document is mandatory; without it, your full application cannot be processed by the central research office.

Step 2: Establish Your Account on the Monash Applicant Portal

• System Navigation: All candidates—whether applying as new international scholars or current Monash students seeking funding—must register and manage their application through the centralized Monash Applicant Portal (myApp).
• Profile Setup: Set up your user credentials early to review the required application fields, verify specific faculty questions, and track all submission deadlines across upcoming rounds.

Step 3: Utilize Automatic Scholarship Consideration

• No Separate Form Required: You do not need to fill out an independent application specifically for the CF-MGS award.
• Integrated Assessment: When you submit your application for a Master’s by Research or PhD through the applicant portal, Monash University automatically assesses you for all institutional awards for which you are eligible, including the CF-MGS, central Monash Graduate Scholarships, and tuition offset schemes.

Step 4: Assemble and Submit Your Research Portfolio

Upload clear, high-resolution copies of all required documentation prior to your target round closing date:

• Academic Credentials: Certified university transcripts, grade keys, and official degree certificates.
• Curriculum Vitae: A professional CV detailing academic awards, relevant research experience, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Research Proposal: A clear project outline detailing your objectives, research questions, and methodology aligned with your supervisor’s research unit.
• Reference Reports: Contact information for academic referees who will submit confidential assessment reports directly to the university.
• Language Metrics: Official results from approved English language test providers (such as IELTS or TOEFL) if applicable.

Step 5: Post-Submission Management and Tracking

• Direct Application Monitoring: After submitting your completed application, monitor your status updates through the Monash Applicant Portal.
• Admissions Communications: Assessment and offer processing are handled directly by the Graduate Research Admissions team. If you need to update documents, clarify supervisor details, or inquire about assessment timelines, contact the office via email ([email protected]) or phone (+61 3 9905 1538)

Selection Rounds and Closing Dates

The CF-MGS operates four distinct application rounds per year based on residency status:

• International Applicants (Round 1): Closes March 31, 2026.
• Domestic Applicants (Round 2): Closes May 31, 2026.
• International Applicants (Round 3): Closes August 31, 2026.
• Domestic Applicants (Round 4): Closes October 31, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit a separate application form for the CF-MGS?

No. Monash University automatically considers eligible applicants for the CF-MGS and other available graduate research scholarships when they apply for admission to a graduate research programme through the Monash Applicant Portal.

Can international students apply for this award?

Yes. International students from all countries are eligible to apply during Round 1 (closing March 31, 2026) and Round 3 (closing August 31, 2026).

What does the scholarship cover for international recipients?

Successful international applicants receive a full tuition scholarship from their host faculty, an annual living stipend of $37,145, and a relocation grant if eligible.

Is an invitation to apply required before starting the application?

Yes, new applicants must obtain an invitation to apply or an expression of interest approval from the prospective faculty before submitting their final application through the portal.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of July 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Co-Funded Monash Graduate Scholarship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Monash University.

Official Application Portal