National Industry PhD Program and CSIRO Industry PhD Program

 

National Industry PhD Program

The National Industry PhD Program is an Australian Government competitive initiative introduced in 2023 that enables PhD candidates to undertake a research project with an industry application. Note that:

  • UniSA has an internal application process, requirements and timelines (see below) The Department of Education website includes an expression of interest form. Please do not use this Department of Education form – the first step is to use our internal intent to apply form
  • all general inquiries should be directed to the UniSA Graduate Research Liaison Officer (GRLO): GRLO@unisa.edu.au
  • there are two rounds per year. For internal and external deadlines, see below
  • the Australian Government requires a centralised university approach for submissions – please refer to our UniSA process, below
  • general information is available at the Department of Education’s website, including program guidelines.

National Industry PhD Program: internal and external dates and deadlines

 

Round 1

 2023, closed

Round 2

 2023, closed 

Round 3

 2024, closed

Round 4

 2024, closed

Round 5

 to open February 2025, closing date unconfirmed 

 

Funding Arrangements

The following Dept of Education infographic describes the program’s two streams:

Industry Linked projects: a PhD candidate undertakes a research project co-designed by university and industry. 

Industry Researcher projects: a PhD candidate undertakes a project in partnership with a university while maintaining employment with an industry partner.

Australian Government Dept of Education infographic:

Screenshot 2024-07-05 091506.png

 

Scholarship availability

For the Industry Researcher stream, UniSA does not need to provide a RTP or equivalent scholarship.

Important note: for an Industry Linked application to proceed, UniSA must commit to providing a RTP or equivalent scholarship should a project be successful. This can include a combination of funding from central and local sources and from industry (i.e., allocaitons greater than the $10,000 per annum minimum that must be provided as scholarship top-up). The university will consider RTP or equivalent scholarship allocation and will give preference to co-funding options when assessing project EOIs. Please do not proceed from EOI to drafting a full application until UniSA has confirmed its commitment to a scholarship for your proposed project. 

UniSA process

STEP 1: Submit the ‘HDR PhD Industry: internal intent to apply’ form to grlo@unisa.edu.au for consideration.

STEP 2: For Industry Linked projects, scholarship availability must be considered as part of Step 2 and before moving to Step 3. two options (2a or 2b):

STEP 2a: If an Intent to Apply form is not endorsed to proceed to application for the next round, the researcher will receive feedback. Future options could include (1) submitting in a future round, or (2) considering other options for the project. 

STEP 2b: If an Intent to Apply is endorsed to proceed to application for the next round, complete the National Industry PhD Program Application form, available here. This can include seeking guidance from EPU about industry partner engagement and Research Office about submission guidelnes. Firm dates for internal and final deadlines will be circulated when available.

STEP 3: Internal UniSA compliance checks and authorisations are required before the application is approved for submission.

STEP 4: The UniSA Research Office will submit completed applications to the Program, as per government requirements. See above for internal and external deadlines.

CSIRO Industry PhD Program

The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) program, initially piloted under the Australian Government’s University Research Commercialisation Action Plan is now available to all Australian Universities. Through the program, HDR candidates undertake PhD research on a problem developed in collaboration with, and jointly supervised, by an industry partner, a university researcher and a CSIRO researcher.

 

The CSIRO Industry PhD Program offers select HDR candidates a fully funded government scholarship, an industry funded top-up, funds for project operating costs, and professional development training. More information is available on the CSIRO website or by contacting the iPhD office

The iPhD program is funded by the Australian Government and the industry partner for up to four years. Funding consists of:

  • HDR candidate scholarship of $46,000 p.a. (2024 rate) comprising of $34,000 p.a. provided by the Australian Government and $12,000 p.a. provided by the industry partner
  • a project expense and development package of up to $13,000 p.a. provided by the Australian Government for research operating costs and research skill development
  • HDR candidate career and professional development training funded by the Australian Government and developed and delivered by CSIRO.

EOIs open in February 2024 for projects to commence late 2024, early 2025. However, UniSA researchers with a potential project are encouraged to start discussions with CSIRO colleagues at any time.

 

CSIRO information session with UniSA, September 2023: 

 

For internal UniSA queries about this Program, contact grlo@unisa.edu.au