Industry Programs and Opportunities

Future Student Tile

UNE supports collaborative research between our HDR candidates and industry partners through several external funding programs. These initiatives provide financial support and resources to strengthen university-industry research partnerships.

Available Programs

National Industry PhD Program

This program supports PhD candidates conducting industry-focused research and helps them develop skills to translate academic research into real-world applications. Graduates will be equipped to work effectively across both research and industry sectors. There are two Participation Streams:

  1. Industry Linked PhD: For outstanding candidates working on projects co-designed by UNE and industry partners, with opportunities to work in industry settings (typically 20-50% of their time).
  2. Industry Researcher PhD: For industry professionals supported by their employers to undertake PhD projects with UNE (typically spending 20-50% of their time at the university).

Project/Candidate eligibility:

  • The project must have potential industry applications
  • Candidates must be domestic or international PhD students
  • New or early-stage candidature (maximum 12 months)
  • Candidates must receive RTP Stipend and Fees Offset (or equivalent)

Industry Partner eligibility:

  • Must be a business or organisation with an Australian Business Number (ABN) or an Australian Company Number (ACN). International companies are eligible if they have either of these and have a presence in Australia.
  • For Industry Researcher Stream, the Industry Partner must be a registered body corporate.
  • Must undertake Research and Development activities.
  • Support employees to undertake Industry Researcher PhD study and agree that the employee’s full salary and benefits be maintained for the project duration/or provide minimum $10K stipend top up to the Industry Linked PhD for the project duration.
  • Be willing to provide a supervisor to work in support of the University supervisor.

CSIRO Industry PhD Program

This four-year program brings together UNE, an industry partner, and CSIRO to develop industry-focused PhD projects. It's designed for researchers with existing CSIRO relationships.
Benefits:

  • Annual candidate scholarship of approximately $47,000 per annum (2025 rate)
  • Project expense and development package (approximately $13,000 per annum)
  • Career and professional development training
  • Access to a nationally funded industry PhD training program
  • Develop or strengthen relationships with industry and CSIRO
  • Develop industry-focused professional skills
  • Access to CSIRO and industry facilities and expertise

How to Get Involved

The Graduate Research School (GRS) manages UNE's participation in these programs. HDR candidates who are collaborating with industry partners and interested in participating in either of the above programs should contact the GRS via AskUNE.

Other Scholarship opportunities

All scholarship opportunities for HDR candidates at UNE are listed on our HDR Scholarship webpage. We encourage you to check this regularly to keep up to date with any new opportunities that arise.

Contact details

Graduate Research School

Phone: 02 6773 3715

Email: hdr-internships@une.edu.au