Higher Degree by Research Grant Funding

The School recognises that fieldwork and research activities, including conference presentations, are integral elements in developing research skills. The objectives of the grants are to:

Assist with research and professional development
Assist with travel and associated costs for research-related activities
Enrich the quality of research undertaken by students
Enable research students to develop relationships within the local and international research community

Please read the below eligibility guidelines before filling out the application form. Please include supporting documentation with your application.

Eligibility and Conditions

HDR Grant Funding Guidlines

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

Be currently enrolled HDR students (PhD and MPhil) in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, and who have successfully completed their Confirmation milestone
Have sought and been unable to secure funding from other sources, including their supervisory team.
Submit an application, with appropriate supporting documentation.

PhD candidates who commenced in 2025 will be limited to a maximum level support of $3,000 and MPhil candidates will be limited to $1,500 in total, over the duration of their candidature.

PhD candidates who commenced prior to 2025 will be limited to a maximum level support of $5,000 and MPhil candidates will be limited to $2,500 in total, over the duration of their candidature.

Funding is also subject to budget availability and award is not guaranteed.

Approval is based on the written case presented to the selection committee. Applications without sufficient supporting documentation will not be considered. Consideration may also be given to any other factors which the Selection Committee considers to be appropriate and in line with the School’s strategic direction and priorities.

Funding is not retrospective. Reimbursements will not be considered.

The School reserves the right to revise the Research Grant funding from time to time.

Applicants will be asked to use external grant funds to support your research, where appropriate. If an application for funding is over the listed amounts then you may need to consider using other sources of funding.

If an application is successful and the applicant applies again for funding from this scheme, they will be required to report on the success of the last application. If there has been no research output as detailed in your original application, then further funding will not be approved. The report on research outputs should be submitted along with your application.

Funding Conditions:

Equipment
- applicants can elect to purchase equipment. These items are UQ assets and must be returned to UQ on withdrawal or completion of studies
Fieldwork
- Submit or have already submitted a detailed fieldwork program to the School as an integral part of the application for Confirmation or Candidature
- Applications for fieldwork funding for the purpose of research involving human subjects must demonstrate compliance with the University's code of conduct and ethics approval research before any data gathering or interpretation can commence.
Conferences
- Applicants are eligible to apply for the travel grant to attend conferences if you are presenting a paper or poster related to your research
- If, for any reason, the applicant does not present, the amount received must be repaid to UQ in full
- Successful applicants undertaking travel must comply with the UQ Student Travel Procedure
- Funding covers the following conference expenses - airfares, visas, accommodation, conference registration fees, incidental travel costs for the candidate only
Editorial assistance
- expenses for editorial assistance, such as fees for editing for the final dissertation, assistance in layout or design
- invoices must be supplied to support your application

Applications

Applications can be submitted any time after confirmation and before you undertake any travel, conference attendance, etc. Applications must be endorsed by your Principal Advisor, and are then assessed by the Director of Higher Degree Research.

Applicants must complete an application for School Research Grant funding using the School’s HDR Funding application form
Submit to your Principal Advisor with supporting documentation for endorsement, and
Email to office@adp.uq.edu.au

Applicants will be advised by email of the outcome of the application within two weeks. It is the candidate’s responsibility to submit their application prior to travel/conference dates and with sufficient processing time. Applications will not be reimbursed after travel.