2027 PhD Top-up Scholarships Round (awarded in 2026)

Welcome to the Australian General Practice Research Foundation's online PhD Scholarships application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

The Australian General Practice Research Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the RACGP. Since 2024, we have proudly supported outstanding GPs and GPs in training to undertake PhD research through our PhD top-up scholarships program. This year, we are pleased to offer two PhD top-up scholarships in partnership with university departments of general practice to facilitate the pursuit of rigorous research in general practice.

Award details

Two top-up scholarships are available. Each scholarship provides:

• A stipend of $25,000 per annum for a maximum 3.5 years for full-time PhD candidates, or pro-rata for a maximum 7 years for part-time candidates.
• A bursary of $5,000 per annum (or pro-rata for part-time candidates) provided for use towards professional development and research translation activities.
• A peer cohort experience and opportunities for networking and industry placements within the RACGP, where possible.

Eligibility

Applicant

1. The applicant must be a general practitioner who has attained FRACGP or FACRRM, or a GP in training, or have been accepted into the GP training program commencing in 2027.  
2. The applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
3. The applicant must have applied for or received a primary scholarship or other salary support from their university or another organisation for the purpose of undertaking their PhD research.
4. The applicant must undertake a research project that is directly relevant to Australian general practice and the communities it serves. The primary context of the research must be based in or on general practice. Medical education research must be situated in general practice.
5. The applicant must have commenced their PhD study between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2027.
6. Applicants must undertake the PhD at an Australian university.

Supervision

1. An academic general practitioner at an Australian university must be actively involved in supervision of the PhD candidate.

Host university

1. The host university (the enrolling university at which the PhD candidate will undertake the research project) must hold an employment contract and/or affiliation agreement with the applicant’s academic supervisor.
2. The host university must be willing to enter into a formal agreement with the RACGP under the terms and conditions of the provided template contract, and comply with the requirements of the scholarship.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Suitability of the applicant (40%)
  • Academic record and relevant research experience
  • Articulated capacity and motivation to contribute to academic general practice post completion of PhD
  • Demonstrated intent to significantly contribute to future general practice research
• Strength of the research project (30%)
  • Quality and feasibility of the proposed research
  • Demonstrated relevance of the research to Australian general practice and the communities it serves
  • Potential for outcomes that can be translated into general practice
• Strength of the supervision (30%)
  • Contribution of an academic GP to project supervision
  • Experience and suitability of intended supervisors
  • Capacity of the host university to provide appropriate infrastructure and resources to support the research

Application process

Applications will close at 11:59pm (AEDT) on Monday 5 October 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

For more information, please email foundation@racgp.org.au.