The Cybec Foundation PhD Scholarship enables students who face hardship or disadvantage to undertake PhD studies at WEHI.

The scholarship aims to overcome barriers some students experience that prevent them from training in medical research.

About the scholarship

The scholarship is funded by Cybec Foundation, a charitable fund which concentrates primarily on the endowment of scholarships, and on substantial projects of continuing benefit to the community.

The Cybec Foundation PhD Scholarship can support students who intend to commence their PhD studies in the period April 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021.

The total value of the scholarship is $150,000 over a period of up to 3.5 years (or part time equivalent). This includes an annual allowance of $38,000 per annum, with the remainder of the fund available for relocation expenses and Overseas Health Cover Insurance (international applicants, if applicable) and travel to scientific meetings. Associated with the scholarship is a university tuition fee offset. WEHI also provides a separate $2000 per annum PhD scholarship top-up (provided to all PhD students).

Eligibility and selection

The Cybec Foundation PhD Scholarship is available for students who are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or are eligible for an international student visa. 

Applicants must meet the University of Melbourne eligibility requirements for admission into a PhD, graduate research program in the Department of Medical Biology

Applicants can apply for the scholarship before or after applying for PhD study at WEHI. If you are applying for the scholarship before applying to study at WEHI, please familiarise yourself with information about our PhD program, including the areas of research undertaken at WEHI to ensure a suitable PhD placement can be negotiated. WEHI’s Scientific Education Office can assist applicants with the scholarship and PhD application process. 

Full information on how to apply is below. Applications will be assessed on the basis of:

• eligibility
• evidence of financial need and/or educational disadvantage (see below for examples)
• a personal statement about the educational disadvantages faced by the applicant, their commitment to study, and the benefits they hope to receive from the scholarship; and
• academic and character references.

More information about the Cybec Foundation PhD Scholarship and studying at WEHI can be obtained by contacting WEHI’s Scientific Education Office: education@wehi.edu.au

How to apply

1. Check you meet the University of Melbourne eligibility requirements for admission into a PhD, graduate research program in the Department of Medical Biology
 

2. If you have not yet applied to study at WEHI, please familiarise yourself with information about our PhD program, including the areas of research undertaken at WEHI.
 

3. Email a single PDF document containing the following to studentapplications@wehi.edu.au
Subject line: 2021 Cybec Foundation Scholarship – YOURSURNAME
Name the PDF: YOURSURNAME

(i) Proof of Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residency or eligibility for an international student visa.
(ii) Evidence of financial need and/or educational disadvantage. This may be related to one or more of the following circumstances and/or personal attributes:

• financial difficulty or low income
• disability or medical condition
• delay or interruption to career or studies because of family responsibilities or illness
• relocation from a rural or regional area in order to undertake tertiary study
• English as a second language
• identification as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

(iii) A personal statement of 500 words or less addressing:

• educational disadvantage,
• commitment to study, including sound academic ability, career aspirations and a strong potential to complete the PhD within the designated time; and
• benefit that the scholarship will provide the applicant.

(iv) Two referee reports outlining your suitability for the scholarship (Please note references cannot be supplied by a person related to you):

• Academic reference - from a person qualified to comment on academic studies, such as a subject co-ordinator or mentor
• Character reference - from a person competent to supply a character reference such as a current or past employer.

Applications close 17:00, 30 April, 2021 Melbourne time (please note the deadline has been extended).

Applicants will be advised whether or not they have secured a Cybec Foundation Scholarship by May 15, 2021.

At WEHI we strive to ensure all our staff and students enjoy a great working environment. We value diversity and gender equity in our work force and promote flexible working arrangements to balance working requirements and personal needs.

Contact

For any queries about this initiative:

Dr Keely Bumsted O’Brien
Head, Scientific Education Office
Email education@wehi.edu.au