Applications open 1 May 2026. For updates, register your interest.
How to apply
The John Monash Scholarship enables talented Australians to pursue a master’s or PhD program at any world-class university outside of Australia, with no restrictions on field of study or institution.
If successful in your application, you will receive $100,000 AUD for each year of study up to a maximum of $300,000 AUD. The scholarship can be used towards tuition fees, accommodation and other living expenses. Scholars receive personalised career support and lifelong leadership development through the Leadership Academy.
Minimum eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a John Monash Scholarship, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen
- Have completed, or will complete before commencing your postgraduate studies, an undergraduate degree at an Australian university
- Plan to begin a full-time master’s degree or PhD at an international university in the year following the award of the scholarship
- Commence your studies within 12 months of that year beginning
You are ineligible if you are:
- Already undertaking postgraduate study or planning to start study in the same year applications close
- Planning to study at an Australian university
- Already holding a Rhodes, Fulbright or Ramsay scholarship for the same program
Are you a future John Monash Scholar?
John Monash Scholars demonstrate academic excellence, outstanding leadership potential, and have a strong vision to build Australia’s capabilities for the future, based on the qualities modelled by General Sir John Monash.
To be a successful in your application, you must demonstrate:
- Academic excellence: This may be evidenced by outstanding academic results, prizes, awards, publications, performances, exhibitions, enterprises and professional endeavours. There is no minimum GPA required, however you must show evidence of your academic ability and capacity to manage the academic rigour of your chosen postgraduate degree.
- Outstanding leadership potential: This may be demonstrated in an academic environment, professional environment and/or your involvement with community.
- A strong vision to build Australia’s capabilities for the future: This may be demonstrated through explaining your career goals, how your career will benefit Australia, and why your chosen university and program are the best fit to help you achieve this.
Understanding the scholarship contribution
The John Monash Scholarship provides an annual stipend of $100,000 AUD for up to three years of study. Funds can be used to flexibly cover:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Other living expenses
The total amount of funding you are eligible for depends on the length of your chosen program:
- One-year master’s degree receives $100,000 AUD
- Two-year master’s degree receives $200,000 AUD
- Three-year PhD (or DPhil) program* receives $300,000 AUD
Note: If your program exceeds three years, you must self-fund the remaining costs.
You will also receive an additional one-off travel allowance to assist with flights from Australia to your country of study.
The General Sir John Monash Foundation does not provide any other postgraduate funding outside of the John Monash Scholarship.
Choosing a university and program
Your application should justify how your chosen university and program:
- Is the best fit for your future career
- Advances progress in your field
- Will help contribute to your area of study and positively impact Australia
You do not need to apply or have an offer before submitting your application. You will be expected, however, to have done your research on the admissions process, timeline and eligibility requirements of the program.
Eligible universities
There are no restrictions on university choice, so long as the chosen institution is an accredited university outside of Australia, and you can justify why this university can support your future career and benefit Australia.
Additional fee waivers and bursaries are also exclusively available to John Monash Scholars if you complete your studies with one of our partner universities:
- Kings College London, England — receive an additional £5,000 bursary
- Cranfield University, England — receive a full fee waiver for master’s programs at all schools (except the MBA)
- IE University Madrid, Spain — receive an additional 30% fee waiver
- University of Groningen, Netherlands — receive a full fee waiver for PhD programs.
Eligible master's programs
The John Monash Scholarship covers:
- One-year full-time master’s program
- Two-year full-time master’s program
- Two-year full-time joint or combined master’s degree*
- Three-year full-time joint or combined master’s degree*.
Funding is awarded based on the duration of the master’s degree.
* Joint or combined master’s degrees must be officially recognised and marketed as such by the university and require a single enrolment process. Examples include Harvard’s Combined Degree programs or Oxford’s 1+1 MBA.
What is not covered?
- Honours year programs (considered undergraduate-level study)
- A second master’s program in consecutive degrees (only the first program is eligible for funding if not officially part of a joint/combined program)*
* Ineligible examples: Oxford MBA with another Oxford master’s program that is not eligible for the 1+1 program.
Eligible PhD (or DPhil) programs
The John Monash Scholarship covers:
- Three-year full-time PhD (or DPhil) program*
* If the PhD (or DPhil) program extends longer than three years, you will be required to self-fund the remaining costs.
What is not covered?
- Post-doctoral positions
- Executive non-award programs, short-courses, fellowships or other research appointments
- Researchers seeking grants or research funding support
Planning to study overseas
You are required to demonstrate your preparation for overseas study by submitting a completed budget plan that outlines how you will manage finances for:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Visa fees
- Daily living expenses
- Insurance
- Emergency funds and unexpected costs
As a John Monash Scholar, you won’t be navigating this journey alone. The Foundation provides:
- Ongoing support during your studies
- Access to a strong scholar network for mentorship and advice
- Assistance with liaising with your host university
Selection process
- Check your eligibility – Scholarships are available to applicants who are planning to commence study in 2027 only. Programs that commence in 2026 are not eligible for the upcoming round of scholarship selection. Check minimum eligibility requirements.
- Applications open — 1 May 2026.
- Information webinars — May and June 2026. Application support and live Q&A with staff and Scholars. Register your interest to learn more.
- Applications close — 30 June 2026 (5pm AEST). Late applications or application inquiries outside of this window will not be accepted.
- Initial review — Late July 2026. Your application will be reviewed to ensure it meets all eligibility criteria, and a short-listing process will commence.
- First-Round interviews — September. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a first-round interview held across various states and territories.
- National Round interviews — October. If you progress past the first round of interviews, you will be invited to attend a national interview in Melbourne or Sydney, where final scholarship decisions are made.
- Notification of outcome — Late November 2026. You will be notified of the outcome of your application after the final selection process is complete. If unsuccessful, you may request written feedback.
Both interview selection rounds are chaired by selection panels, made up of senior professional and academic leaders from across Australia.
Submit your application
To apply for the John Monash Scholarship, you will need the following documents:
- Professional résumé
- Official academic transcripts from your undergraduate degree(s) at an Australian university, complete or incomplete
(Note: transcripts must be an official certified document generated by your university, not a screenshot or non-certified document from a student portal) - Three Letters of Recommendation from academic, professional or personal referees who are the most senior people who can speak to your excellence and leadership capabilities. It is recommended that you select the most appropriate combination of referees based on your career stage; it is, however, not recommended to submit personal references only;
(Note: your referees will submit letters directly to the Foundation during the application period; you should notify them of their inclusion in your application) - A budget plan showing how you will manage your finances abroad using the provided template
Ensure all application components, including reference letters, are submitted on time. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Applications open 1 May 2026.
More information
- Podcasts — Hear from previous John Monash Scholars about their studies, careers and their experience of the application process.
- Register your interest in upcoming Scholarship application rounds — the Foundation presents two live webinars each year to help you in the application process, including a Q&A session.
If you still have questions on how to apply, please contact our team.
