Jim Perkins PhD Travelling Scholarship

Key scholarship details

Application status

Opening soon

Applications open

17 Jul 2026

Applications close

20 Sep 2026

Benefit amount

Up to $40,000

Eligible study level

Graduate research

Eligible student type

Domestic and international students

Eligible study stage

Current study

Benefit duration

One or more years

Summary

The Jim Perkins PhD Travelling Scholarship is offered to students undertaking a PhD in economics in the disciplines of economics or econometrics at either a Russell Group University or the University of Melbourne who intend to travel to study at the respective university.

About the donor

Emeritus Professor James (Jim) Perkins was a leading contributor to economic policy-making in Australia. He graduated with a PhD from the University of Cambridge, and during his studies for his thesis he received a scholarship to visit the University of Melbourne. After completing his doctorate he returned to Australia and to Melbourne where he taught subjects in macroeconomics and economic policy. This scholarship honours his life and work.

Benefits

Up to $40,000 to support a period of up to 12 months of overseas study (pro-rata for shorter travel periods).

For post-confirmation PhD students at a Russell Group University:

The scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments: the first instalment to your Australian bank account upon arrival in Melbourne. The second instalment at the half-way mark of your period of research in the Faculty of Business and Economics.

For post-confirmation PhD students at the University of Melbourne

The scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments: the first instalment in January 2027 and the second instalment at the half-way mark of your period of research at a Russell Group University.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

Be a post-confirmation PhD student at a Russell Group University in the UK or be a post-confirmation PhD student at the University of Melbourne
Be undertaking research in the disciplines of economics or econometrics
Discuss your application with and have approval of your PhD supervisor
Be enrolled full-time for the duration of the scholarship
Be able to commence the overseas study within 12 months
Not be due to complete your degree before or during the period of the scholarship

Conditions

For Russell Group university students:

The minimum research period for which funding is available is 3 months. The maximum research period is 12 months.
Information for students enrolled at an overseas institution who wish to do a period of research related to their study at the University of Melbourne.
Successful applicants for Jim Perkins PhD Travelling Scholarship will be admitted into the University of Melbourne as "Study Abroad" research students. Further information on the Study Abroad research program is available at https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/international-exchange-and-study-abroad-applications/program-options/research-program.

For University of Melbourne students:

Graduate Researchers are required to apply for Study Away if travelling for research-related activities away from the University.

Application

How to apply

When the scholarship is open for applications, click on the “Submit an application” link, below. Your application will require:

A cover letter summarising the intended overseas studies
A resume
A statement from your supervisor indicating their approval
An academic reference (outlining the potential to undertake the graduate program applied for)
For PhD students enrolled at the University of Melbourne: a written agreement from an appropriate supervisor at a Russell Group University to provide supervision for the period of study
For PhD students enrolled at a Russell Group University: a written agreement from an appropriate supervisor at the University of Melbourne to provide supervision for the period of study

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

When will I know the outcome?

Applicants will be notified by email.

Recipient feedback

Rebecca Heath: a Jim Perkins PhD Travelling Scholarship awardee

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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