DVCR Strategic PhD Scholarship - End-of-Life Essentials General Practice
Overview
Title
DVCR Strategic PhD Scholarship - End-of-Life Essentials General Practice
College
College of Health and Enablement
Opening date
12-08-2026
Closing date
16-09-2026
Scholarship value
$36,061.00
Scholarship duration
3.5 years
Payment term
fortnightly
Level of Study
Higher Degrees Research
Description
This PhD project is part of the End-of-Life Essentials General Practice initiative, a national program developing an accredited online continuing medical education program to strengthen end-of-life care capability in Australian general practice.
The successful candidate will investigate the co-design, development and early implementation of the program, working with GPs and other stakeholders to explore how educational programs can better align with clinical practice and improve capability in areas such as advance care planning, symptom management, early identification and care coordination.
This project offers an opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant initiative aimed at improving the quality of end-of-life care for Australians.
Benefits
The scholarship includes:
- a stipend valued at $36,061* per annum (2026 rate), tax-free
- The scholarship will be awarded for 3.5 years
- a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents.
- The successful applicant will undertake a mandatory 60-day industry internship with a research end-user organisation, providing valuable opportunities to develop professional networks, gain experience beyond academia, and contribute to the translation of research into practice and policy.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award of this scholarship, a student must:
- Be an Australian citizen; or New Zealand citizen; or have been granted permanent resident status; and
- meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
- be available to commence as a full-time PhD student at Flinders University;
Application information
Before applying for the scholarship, prospective applicants are advised to contact the Project Lead, Dr Caroline Phelan, via email (Caroline.Phelan@flinders.edu.au) to discuss their interest and eligibility for the opportunity. The Project Lead may invite you to apply and request a copy of your CV together with a covering letter outlining your relevant qualifications, experience, research experience, and reasons for applying for the scholarship.
Scholarship applications are to be submitted via email to: Vanessa.Heading@flinders.edu.au
The successful candidate will ideally begin as soon as possible, subject to negotiation (and not later than February 2027).
ADMISSION TO A HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH (HDR)
Applicants who have not already applied for admission to a relevant Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program must submit a separate application for admission. Instructions for applying can be found on the Flinders University website: Apply for a Research Degree
By submitting a separate HDR admission application, applicants acknowledge that:
- The Supervisor Confirmation must specifically refer to this scholarship application.
- The HDR admission application will only be assessed if the applicant is successful in being awarded the scholarship.
Please note that HDR admission applications submitted in connection with this scholarship opportunity will not be assessed unless a scholarship is awarded. Applications that are unsuccessful in the scholarship process will be withdrawn.
