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Awards & Grants

We are committed to enabling you to make the most of interesting opportunities whenever possible and celebrating your success as you complete your graduate research. The grants and awards listed below are offered in addition to graduate research scholarships.

Travel Grants
Student Grants and Loans
Thesis Excellence
Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision

It is possible that an individual graduate is nominated for more than one type of awards!

Current students and staff can also visit Monash Graduate Research Office intranet (funding opportunities for students) for more information.

Travel Grants

At some point in your research career, you will almost certainly get the chance to meet with the leading thinkers in your field. We want to make sure you can take up that opportunity – no matter where in the world it arises.

Travel grants can be used to cover airfares and travel related expenses such as taxes and conference registration fees when you present at seminars and conferences or conduct fieldwork and research outside your home campus.

For more information and how to apply, visit Managing Your Travel (Study Away).

Student Grants and Loans

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for the Student Grants or Student Loans.

Student Grants is is for students whose financial situation is affecting their ability to continue their studies and are in need of urgent and immediate aid. The money is to help you to meet essential needs such as accommodation, food or technology, so you can continue your studies.

Student Loans also covers a wide range of study-related expenses such as books, laptops (to meet BYOD requirements), car expenses, housing, etc. The University will consider other legitimate expenses if your ability to continue studying is in jeopardy.

We also offer a student loans scheme for those facing difficulties that will affect their study.

Thesis Excellence

When our research students' contributions have a profound impact, they deserve recognition.

The Mollie Holman Medal was established in 1998 and is named after the late pioneering physiologist, Emeritus Professor Mollie Holman AO, in honour of her significant contributions to science and education. A pioneer in her field, Professor Holman's memory is preserved in these medals struck in her honour. They are among the highest academic honours we bestow and mark the recipients as researchers of the highest order.
Each year, a maximum of ten medals are awarded to doctoral students, normally one from each faculty, who have fulfilled their degree requirements and presented their faculty's best thesis of the year.
Current students and staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Monash Graduate Research Office - Mollie Holman Award. For more information, see Awards & Grants.
Note: Self-nominations are not available. Refer to the guidelines or contact your School Graduate Research Office for a nomination process.
The Vice-Chancellor's Commendations for Thesis Excellence are awarded to outstanding doctoral and research master's theses. A maximum of five Commendations are awarded each year to doctoral* and/or research masters students, who have fulfilled their degree requirements and presented as outstanding contributors to research by their faculty.
*The Vice-Chancellor’s Commendations for Thesis Excellence (Doctoral) are also known as the Mollie Holman Medal.
Current students and staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Monash Graduate Research Office - Vice-Chancellor's Commendation for Thesis Excellence. For more information, see Awards & Grants.
Note: Self-nominations are not available. Refer to the guidelines or contact your School Graduate Research Office for a nomination process.
In recognition of the growing number of exceptional theses, Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences has introduced the Dean’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. This will be awarded to the Faculty’s best doctoral thesis nomination following the award of Mollie Holman Medal and Vice Chancellors Commendation for Thesis Excellence (Doctoral).
Note: Self-nominations are not available. Refer to the guidelines or contact your School Graduate Research Office for a nomination process. Current MNHS staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Faculty Graduate Research Office – Awards & Grants
Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences is committed to supporting our Indigenous Australian students by offering the Faculty Indigenous Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence.
Eligible students self-nominate for this award.
Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences celebrates outstanding doctoral theses at the industry and research nexus with the Faculty Industry Engagement Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence.
Current MNHS students and staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Faculty Graduate Research Office – Awards & Grants
Note: Self-nominations are not available. Refer to the guidelines or contact your School Graduate Research Office for a nomination process.

Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision

Monash is home to many internationally renowned researchers and a diverse research community.

As part of your graduate research degree, you will work with at least two research-active supervisors whose knowledge and experience will guide you through your research journey.

Awards for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision are a unique opportunity to acknowledge our outstanding supervisors. Winners of this prestigious award are recognised for their excellence in teaching, mentoring, leadership and their research track record. Past winners are also encouraged to contribute to the development of other Monash supervisors.

Our dedication to continually improving and recognising the importance of excellent research supervision ensures that our graduate research students work with some of Australia's finest supervisors.

Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences celebrates an individual that demonstrates superior performance in supervising research students with the annual Faculty Dean’s Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision.
Nominations can be made by either:
- Two current Monash University academic colleagues; or
- A past graduate research student of the nominee.
Current MNHS students and staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Faculty Graduate Research Office – Awards & Grants
Note: Self-nominations are not available. Refer to the guidelines or contact your School Graduate Research Office for a nomination process.
Submit your nomination to recognise and reward graduate research supervisors who have demonstrated exceptional supervision, mentoring and training practices to benefit and enrich the experiences of their graduate research students.
Nominations can be made by either:
- A current graduate research student;
- A past graduate research student; or
- An academic colleague of equivalent level who can attest to the nominee’s supervision practices.
Current students and staff can access guidelines and the nomination form via Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision.