Scholarships and Awards

The Florey is committed to providing opportunities for postgraduate education in neuroscience. Student projects for Honours, PhD and Summer studentships are outlined on our website (see student projects). The usual academic standard for admission to the Florey’s Postgraduate program is H1, although consideration will be given to individuals who are able to demonstrate:

  • previous work experience in their field (eg. as a Research Assistant)
  • a reasonable case as to why their level of skill/ability has not been reflected in their academic results.

The Florey welcomes students from Universities throughout Australia and overseas. A current enrolment via an appropriate University department is essential for postgraduate study at the Institute. A number of senior Florey scientific staff possess co-joint University appointments, but in all other instances, a secondary co-supervisor must be nominated from the Department in which you are enrolled.

Honours Students

Places are available each year in the Florey’s Honours Program to science graduates wishing to pursue further study in neuroscience. Many continue on to PhD studies at the Florey. Although students undertake all their scientific work at the Florey and are supervised by Florey scientists, they must also be enrolled through a University department, with a University-based co-supervisor. The majority of Honours students are enrolled through University of Melbourne Departments such as Physiology, Pharmacology, Anatomy and Cell Biology or Biochemistry.

PhD Students

A maximum of 10 PhD places are available each year, with preference given to self-funded students (eg. University of Melbourne Research Scholarship or Australian Postgraduate Award recipients). Students must be enrolled through a University Department, with a University-based co-supervisor. Florey supervisors and the HR Department will work with the successful applicants to facilitate these arrangements.

PhD Scholarships

One HFI scholarship is provided each year to science graduates. This scholarship is awarded for a maximum of three years. Students are paid an annual, tax-free stipend to the same value as an Australian Post-Graduate Award. Students must be University enrolled and have a University-based co-supervisor. Applicants are encouraged to identify potential projects and approach individual Florey supervisors as soon as possible, as scholarship applications are highly competitive.

Summer Studentships / Vacation Scholarships

Each year, Summer studentships are provided to outstanding undergraduate science students with the aim of encouraging postgraduate study in neuroscience. As such, final year undergraduates interested in undertaking an Honours year, are encouraged to apply. The Florey’s selection committee will also consider applications from first and second year students, with the aim of providing an opportunity to gain further skills and experience in a cutting-edge neuroscience research facility. A total of four Florey funded studentships are available; one per research team, and are available between the December and March University break. Scholarships are available for a maximum of eight weeks and include a weekly stipend of $180. Studentships are highly competitive and applicants are encouraged to identify potential projects and approach supervisors as soon as possible.

The Selection Process

Once applicants have identified a potential supervisor and project and submitted their applications, these are forwarded to the Florey’s Postgraduate Matters Committee.

All applications are reviewed by the committee, which is chaired by Prof Philip Beart and consists of seven senior Florey scientific/management staff. Only the selection committee may make a formal offer of a place within the Florey’s postgraduate program.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

The University of Melbourne Scholarships

The University of Melbourne has many scholarship opportunities on offer, the majority of which can be found on the scholarships office website. Scholarship applications are usually due 31st October. There are also opportunities to fund overseas travel for PhD students.

See www.services.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships/.

Advanced Medical Science Program

The Florey participates in the AMS program and offers one year project placements to eligible University of Melbourne medical students. The Florey’s AMS coordinator is first contact for all student queries:

Dr Chrishan Samuel

AMS Coordinator
Howard Florey Institute

C/- University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Email: chrishan.samuel@florey.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 8344 0416
Fax: +61 3 9348 1707

Useful Links

Students