The University of Sydney is Australia’s premier university and is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. Renowned for its commitment to excellence in education, research and social impact, the University of Sydney fosters an inclusive and innovative academic environment, attracting a diverse community of students, faculty and researchers from over from 130 countries. Located in the heart of Sydney, its magnificent historic campus combines sandstone architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, making it a dynamic center for learning, collaboration and discovery.
With an impressive range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs across faculties including Medicine & Health, Law, Engineering, Arts, Commerce and Science, the university offers opportunities interdisciplinary learning programs designed to equip students with critical thinking, practical skills and global perspectives. . Its research-intensive programs aim to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from health innovation and climate solutions to social equity and technological progress.
Description of the scholarship:
- Host university: University of Sydney
- Host country: Australia;
- Level of study: PhD, research level;
- Type of scholarship: Partial financing;
- Scholarship value: $30,000;
- Eligible countries: International students;
- Available topics: Bioethics, Health Law, Medicine, Health;
- Application deadline: February 2, 2025.
The Postgraduate Research Scholarship offered by the University of Sydney supports a full-time doctoral student engaged in groundbreaking research that addresses the physical and mental health needs of people with innate variations in sexual characteristics. Funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, the scholarship is a response to recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2021 report, Guarantee health and bodily integrity. This fellowship provides researchers with the resources to explore bioethical frameworks and develop inclusive healthcare models, directly impacting the lives of people with intersex variations.
As part of the broader Interconnect Health research project, this initiative aligns with national efforts to improve health care for people with CSVI by evaluating existing models of care, identifying needs for health care and establishing ethical health care practices. With a team of researchers, clinicians and community representatives, the project takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to ensure the development of care frameworks that are inclusive, ethical and respectful of human rights.
The Interconnect health research project
The Interconnect Health research project is a comprehensive, five-year national initiative structured around three main streams of work:
- Work package 1 – Evaluation of models of care: This component of the project focuses on examining the clinical and peer-led models of care provided by Canberra Health Services and the national InterLink psychosocial support service, with an emphasis on improving accessibility, quality and outcomes for people with CSVI.
- Work package 2 – National Health and Well-Being Survey: The second phase involves conducting a national survey to better understand the health and wellbeing needs of people with CSVI, providing valuable data to inform health policy and service delivery.
- Work package 3 – Develop bioethical frameworks: This phase aims to create bioethical frameworks that ensure that access to health care across the lifespan is ethical, timely and respectful of bodily autonomy, thereby facilitating the provision of rights-based care for people suffering from CSVI.
Scholarship Benefits:
The University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Fellowship 2025 offers a comprehensive support package to the successful PhD candidate:
- Allowance: Fellows will receive a stipend of $30,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, easing the financial burden associated with full-time doctoral study.
- Research support: This fellowship provides the unique opportunity to work directly within the Interconnect Health research project, providing access to research resources, mentoring and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
- Impact-focused research: Aligning the project with real-world health challenges allows researchers to participate in a meaningful research initiative that has the potential to reform health care policies and practices for people with CSVI.
This fellowship represents an invaluable opportunity for individuals committed to advancing ethical standards in health care, particularly in areas related to intersex variations and inclusive health care.
Eligibility requirements
The postdoctoral research fellowship is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:
- Registering for a doctoral program: Applicants must apply for or be admitted to a PhD program within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Registration must correspond to the academic objectives of the Interconnect Health research project, focused on bioethics, health law or public health.
- Research axis: Applicants must be committed to conducting research that advances the health and well-being of people born with innate variations in sexual characteristics. This requirement ensures that research efforts align with the broader goals of the scholarship to improve health care for this underrepresented population.
- Relevant context: Applicants must have training in an area relevant to bioethics, health law or health care. Previous research experience in these or related areas is considered advantageous, as it supports a foundation in the ethical and legal considerations essential to this research.
Application process
Important dates
- Opening date for applications: October 24, 2024
- Closing date for applications: February 7, 2025
Applicants should submit their application as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and to ensure they meet all scholarship requirements.
Why apply?
The University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Fellowship 2025 offers more than financial support. This represents an opportunity to make a lasting impact on healthcare and human rights by contributing to research that addresses critical bioethical questions. Researchers accepted into this program will have the chance to work with a team dedicated to creating safer and more inclusive healthcare models, directly benefiting people with CSVI.
Research conducted under this award will contribute to the development of health care practices that uphold ethical standards, promote bodily integrity, and protect human rights. Researchers will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in applied research in bioethics and health law, shaping health care for a vulnerable and often overlooked community. This scholarship is ideal for individuals who are passionate about ethical healthcare and human rights, who want to use their academic expertise to bring about positive change.
How to apply
To apply for the University of Sydney Postgraduate Research Fellowship, interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Review program eligibility and requirements: Make sure you meet the scholarship eligibility criteria and that your research interests match the objectives of the Interconnect Health research project.
- Prepare supporting documents: Applicants will be required to submit academic transcripts, a research proposal describing their planned research under Interconnect Health Research, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit an application online: Applications are submitted via the University of Sydney online portal. Detailed instructions for completing the application are available on the university website.
- Complete interviews and follow-up: Shortlisted applicants may be required to participate in an interview or provide additional materials to demonstrate their qualifications and commitment to the objectives of the scholarship.
Interested applicants can find more information and apply through the university’s scholarship portal. This link takes you to the application page and provides additional resources to guide you through the application process.
Official website:
For more information, please visit the official university website: https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/c/postgraduate-research-scholarship-in-improving-the-health-of-peo.html
