The Vice-Chancellor’s Research Training Industry Partnership Program (VCRTIPP) supports the co-funding of PhD cohorts in collaboration with Catholic, business, community, and/or government partners.
A PhD cohort will initially include a minimum of three co-funded PhD candidates. The number of candidates may be increased over time, subject to mutual agreement between ACU and the partner organisation.
Program details
- PhD Stipend Scholarships co-funded by ACU and the industry partner, as follows:
Industry partner contribution
- $23,500 p.a. per PhD candidate (multiplied by at least three) to co-fund a PhD Stipend Scholarship for 3.5 years. This represents approximately 50% of the lifetime cost of the stipend package, covering the partner's share of:
- stipend payments for up to 3.5 years of candidature
- 50% of paid sick leave and paid parental leave entitlements (where accessed)
- 50% of the $2,000 relocation allowance (international candidates)
- 50% of a single OSHC policy (international candidates)
- A contingency for project-related costs
- At least 60 full-time equivalent days of meaningful engagement with each scholarship recipient.
- The contribution is fixed at the time of agreement and is set to account for annual stipend indexation (estimated at 3.5% p.a.) over the life of the scholarship.
ACU contribution
- Stipend co-funding — 50% share of the stipend payments for up to 3.5 years of candidature, matching the partner's contribution on the same basis described above.
- Paid leave entitlements — 50% share of paid sick leave and paid parental leave entitlements (where accessed).
- Tuition fee scholarship — approximately $34,728 p.a. (2026 value, indexed annually) per PhD candidate for up to 3.5 years, covering the full course cost of the PhD.
- Academic supervision by ACU researchers.
- Research infrastructure — access to basic and specialist equipment, workspace, IT, library, and research training.
- $5,000 per candidate to support development activities of the candidate, e.g., cohort building, mobility experiences with ACU strategic partners, etc.
- Professional Development for staff and PhD candidates in working with industry is an implicit benefit of the program.
Priority will be given to proposals that do one or more of the following:
- Build capacity in ECR and novice PhD supervisors
- Involve Indigenous and community led initiatives
The scholarship conditions align with the ACU Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.
