The Maxwell King PhD Scholarship at Monash University. Monash named this one after Professor Maxwell King, someone who poured years into graduate research and academic leadership. And yes, they’re offering two of these beauties every year, one each for North-of-the-spectrum-students in Humanities & Social Sciences and STEM. So whether you’re sketching ideas or building circuits, there’s a spot for you.
Quick snapshot of the scholarship:
Program: Maxwell King PhD Scholarship
Coverage: Fully Funded (stipend, research & relocation allowances)
Nationality: Domestic & International
Degree Level: PhD
Duration: Full PhD duration (typically 3–4 years)
University: Monash University
Host Country: Australia
Purpose of the Program
The Maxwell King Scholarship isn’t just about the money—it’s a tribute to someone who shaped Monash’s graduate research culture. They wanted to support a handful of standout PhD candidates with the practical means to focus entirely on their research. That means covering daily life stuff, research costs, and those stressful moving-in expenses. If you’re serious about diving deep into a PhD at Monash, this is a scholarship that gently whispers, “Go ahead, focus.”
Eligibility Criteria
Let’s break it down clearly—because clarity is refreshing:
You can apply if you’re any of these:
- An Australian citizen
- A New Zealand citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An Australian humanitarian visa holder
- An international student
You’ll also need to tick these boxes:
- Submit a scholarship application in the current year
- Meet Monash’s competitive scholarship selection standards (think academic excellence, research standing, output, experience)
- Satisfy Monash’s English proficiency requirements
Also, if you’re joining via Joint Research Awards where Monash is your home base, you’re eligible too.
Benefits of the Maxwell King Scholarship
Ah, the good stuff. It feels like Monash is saying, “We’ve got you.”
- Living allowance (stipend): AUD 52,352 per year (2025 rate) — that’s about AUD 2,005.82 paid every fortnight.
- Research allowance: AUD 1,500 each year for your project needs.
- Relocation allowance: AUD 1,000 (if you’re moving from interstate) or AUD 2,000 (if you’re coming from overseas).
Pretty comprehensive—those numbers come directly from Monash’s 2025 stipend schedule.
Check out: uns-indonesia-scholarship-2026-fully-funded/
Fields of Study
Here’s where the scholarship opens doors broadly:
- Humanities & Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) disciplines
So—regardless of whether you’re untangling history or decoding algorithms—if your research is solid, you’re good.
Deadlines and Application Process
Okay, timeline time. Mark your calendar: October 31 each year is your final call to apply—so for 2025, that’s the cut-off to aim for.
How you apply:
- Submit your graduate research application via the My.App portal—which also doubles as your scholarship application.
- No separate form needed. You’re automatically considered for the Maxwell King Scholarship along with other centrally managed scholarships.
- If you’re new to Monash, you’ll need an Invitation to Apply, triggered by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to your department or faculty.
- Repeat: one shot per application round—so make it count.
It’s simple-ish, but getting an invitation and nailing that EOI early helps. Most outcomes are released about six weeks after the scholarship round closes.
Check out:deakin-university-rtp-duprs-scholarships-2026-australia/
Application Process at a Glance
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to your faculty to get invited |
| 2 | Apply via the My.App portal for both admission and scholarships |
| 3 | Ensure your application includes transcripts, research proposal, English proficiency, etc. |
| 4 | Wait roughly six weeks after the round for results |
Why This Scholarship Makes Sense
Monash isn’t offering a token stipend—it’s allowing you roughly AUD 52K yearly plus research and relocation support. That’s enough to settle comfortably without stressing about rent or research gear.
And because it’s named after someone who poured his heart into nurturing graduate research, it feels like they weren’t just checking a box—they want you to actually thrive. It’s targeted, generous, and thoughtful.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got the grades, the proposal, and the drive—and you’re okay with reaching out for that EOI—there’s no reason not to go for this. It’s well-balanced, practical funding that just lets you do your PhD, not worry about where your next dollar’s coming from.
Official Program Website: https://www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/maxwell-king-phd-scholarship
Take a deep breath. This could be the first big step toward your future—and I hope it’s an awesome one.