Research

Research, Experimentation and Discovery (RED)

Immerse yourself in cutting-edge research at Monash University, bridge the gap between research and practice and develop strategies to bring your ideas to life. Build your capacity with RED and become a change leader of tomorrow.

RED Australia

The next RED Australia program will run from 22 June to 24 July 2026. Enrolments close in June 2026.
RED Malaysia

Study dates: 22 June – 24 July 2026. Face-to-face classes: 29 June – 16 July 2026 (Mon–Thu, 10am–4.30pm).

About RED
Eligibility
Enrolment
Grants
Information sessions
Research Projects
Hear from the RED community

The Research, Experimentation and Discovery (RED) is a three week, in-person intensive unit that enables you to embed interdisciplinary research into your degree. RED is your opportunity to connect with a generation of innovators who are at the forefront of creating change.

How does RED work?

In research, learning doesn’t just occur in tutorial rooms or lecture theatres. With RED, you’ll discover and learn by ‘doing’ and thoroughly interrogating your ideas with your peers and supportive staff.

You’ll work in a small team to explore a demand-driven research challenge set by a collaborating research partner that is aligned with the global challenges of our time (Climate Change, Geopolitical Security and Thriving Communities).

RED is committed to addressing the under-representation of traditionally marginalised groups in research. All students are encouraged to bring their ‘whole selves’ to this experience, including women, diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, First Nations Australians, people of colour and other minority ethnic communities.

Skill development and learning

RED connects interdisciplinary research practice and impact through challenge-based learning into your degree, giving you the chance to explore research and increase your employability, including:

Complex problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis
Creativity, originality and initiative
Reasoning and ideation
Active learning and learning strategies
Leadership and social influence
Technology use and design, monitoring and control

Important dates

	Australia	Malaysia
Enrolment dates	14 Oct 2025 – Jun 2026	Enrol now in WES
Study dates	22 Jun – 24 Jul 2026	22 Jun – 24 Jul 2026
Face-to-face classes	29 Jun – 16 Jul 2026 (Mon–Thu, 10am–4.30pm)	29 Jun – 16 Jul 2026 (Mon–Thu, 10am–4.30pm)

“The last 2 weeks of in-person RED have taught me more than 3 semesters of my degree. The experts we have met, conversed and networked with have been lovely and the opportunities RED has provided are priceless. The friendships made along the way have been truly authentic and genuine, I can truly say I have learned so much from these people already.”
- Maria
“This unit has been one of my favourite ones ever! I have truly learnt a lot about myself these past few weeks and I could not have done it without the help of our tutors, and all the friends I've made along the way!”
- Jow
“My experiences in RED have been fantastic. Learning through experience, and working in interdisciplinary groups, is not only a great way to make friends, but learning in an environment that makes you feel welcome. Once again, Monash University, you should be proud.”
- Katie

"As a researcher, we come in with big problems, and we have no idea how to solve them half the time. And then these students come in with innovative new ideas. And it's just inspirational again.”
- Associate Professor Alison Beauchamp, School of Rural Health, Monash University
"Universities foster research, it's often perceived to be something that professors do. The reality is Monash University has 80,000 students. That means there's 80,000 researchers right here.”
- Professor Chris Thompson, Director of Education, Biomedicine Discovery Institute
"I think the future of education and research programs are like RED. I think RED is a fantastic example of fusing the curiosity of students and that pathway to research with researchers trying to understand the kinds of questions and the kinds of opportunities for early career or new researchers.”
- Sam Rye, Senior Research Officer, Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) and Office of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure)

"RED underscores what happens when excellence in research, intellectual freedom and creativity collide: our talented students demonstrate their capacity to lead change and be research leaders of the future. I’m inspired by the work of our students as they rethink, redesign, and reimagine the world.”
- Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor and President, Monash University
"In Monash RED, scholarly rigour, intellectual freedom and creativity collide - helping students explore the fundamental building blocks of our world. RED supports researchers to generate groundbreaking ideas that challenge the way we traditionally approach both problems and their solutions.”
- Dr Troy McGee, Director of RED, Monash University
“RED has helped me understand how to create impact in research, and how to connect not just to industry partners, but also to other researchers and to the people who I will impact with my research.”
- Alisdair Gurling, PhD Candidate and RED Educator, Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University

Monash RED coalesces a community of researchers from across the University who are united in their desire to address the challenges of the age.

Climate Change

Climate changes now being generated and experienced threaten the fabric of our planet, the quality of air, water and biodiversity that sustains us.

Geopolitical Security

Disruption is occurring to established institutional orders across and within nations.

Thriving Communities

Thriving communities hold the promise of the ‘good life’ we seek. This is the challenge of how we live well, and how we live well together.

Are you a Monash researcher looking for opportunities to connect with our undergraduate community?

We're calling on you to get involved in our unit. Get in touch with Dr Troy McGee, Director of the RED program to explore how we can collaborate.

RED is open to second and third-year and above undergraduate Monash students across all faculties. You can enrol in the RED unit and start your interdisciplinary research project if you:

are enrolled in an eligible degree
have completed at least 36 credit points of study in any discipline, and
have at least 6 points of elective credit available.

If you satisfy the above requirements, you can enrol in the RED via WES.

View eligible degrees

For RED Australia: Using the unit codes below, you can enrol directly through WES through June 2026, but we recommend enrolling before the census date to participate in the RED 2026 program.

Second year students' unit code: MON2500
Third year and above students' unit code: MON3500

Steps to enrol:

Check you are undertaking an eligible degree and have 6 points of elective space remaining.
Log into WES and enrol in MON2500 if you're in your second year, and MON3500 if you're in your third year and above.
Make sure you select Winter 2026.
Make sure you select the teaching location as Clayton.

Enrol now via WES

For RED Malaysia: Using the unit codes below, you can enrol directly through WES through June 2026, but we recommend enrolling before the census date to participate in the RED 2026 program:

Second year students' unit code: MON2500
Third year and above students' unit code: MON3500
Make sure you select the teaching location as Malaysia.

Before you enrol:

Ensure you have 6 credit points of elective space available
Please check with your Faculty if you're unsure about your eligibility
Please note, Pharmacy and Medicine students are not eligible for RED Malaysia

Enrol now via WES

The SAEF equity grants have been awarded for 2025

We’ll release details about how to apply for the 2026 grant soon – keep an eye on this space!

SAEF equity grant

RED is committed to addressing the under-representation of traditionally marginalised groups in research. We recognise that an intensive class format may not meet the needs or be accessible for all students. We want all students to enjoy the benefits of our program, regardless of their background or economic status.

A grant payment of $1000 to support participation in the RED program is available for up to five eligible students. This grant is provided by the ARC Special Research Initiative Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future (SAEF). You can read more about SAEF and their work.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the grant, you must meet the following criteria:

Eligible and enrolled in the RED program (either unit code MON2500 / MON3500)
You agree to participate in a SAEF Research Project in RED.
You or your family receive an income-tested Centrelink benefit that proves financial disadvantage (e.g. Youth Allowance, Abstudy, Health Care Card or Family Tax Benefit A), OR,
A permanent humanitarian visa holder, OR,
You are an Indigenous Australian, and can provide a Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage certificate or a certified Statutory Declaration form to the William Cooper Institute.
- This can be emailed to wci-ss@monash.edu.
- Contact the William Cooper Institute on 9905 5633 for more information.

Benefits

$1000 grant, paid prior to the commencement of the RED program.
This grant payment cannot be deferred.

Selection criteria

Award based on academic achievement, as evidenced by the highest weighted average mark. Preference will be given to Indigenous Australian applicants.

Monash Research, Experimentation and Discovery (RED) 2026 information sessions

Ignite your future with RED! Join us at one of our information sessions to learn more about the RED unit (MON2500 / MON3500), how you can explore Monash research before you graduate, how RED builds upon research units already in your degree, and how you might build your capacity to create change and impact.

The Unit Coordinator, Dr Troy McGee, will be available to answer any questions you might have about the unit – just join through Zoom and ask.

Date	Time	Booking link	Zoom link
Tuesday 24 March	1–2pm	Book now	Join now
Wednesday 22 April	1–2pm	Book now	Join now
Wednesday 6 May	10–11am	Book now	Join now
Friday 29 May	10–11am	Book now	Join now
Friday 19 June	11am–12pm	Book now	Join now