Applications are now open for the David Irvine Postgraduate Scholarship, supporting talented students pursuing cyber security research at CSCRC Participant Universities. This scholarship offers generous funding, training opportunities, and access to CSIRO’s world-class expertise.

This scholarship is open to high-achieving students with First Class Honours or equivalent who are undertaking full-time research in cyber security at a CSCRC-affiliated university. Applicants must be early-stage candidates and satisfy tuition waiver, supervisor confirmation, and security clearance requirements.

CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia’s national science agency and one of the world’s largest and most diverse research organizations. Established in 1916 and headquartered in Canberra, it conducts mission-driven research across multiple fields including agriculture, health, environment, energy, materials, and digital technologies. With over 6,000 staff distributed across more than 50 sites in Australia and abroad, CSIRO works closely with government, industry, and academia to deliver scientific solutions that benefit society, industry, and the environment.

Application Deadline: 12 January 2026

Brief Description

• University or Organization: CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Data61 in collaboration with CSCRC Participant Universities
• Department: Cyber Security / CSIRO Data61
• Course Level: PhD or MPhil
• Award: Full scholarship or top-up scholarship, plus training allowances
• Access Mode: Online (application submission)
• Number of Awards: NA
• Nationality: Australian and international students (from eligible countries only)
• The award can be taken in: Australia (any location; student must be enrolled at a CSCRC Participant University)

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: International students residing in Australia with appropriate visas, but only from countries listed under the Defence Trade Controls (Foreign Country) Instrument 2024. Australian citizens and permanent residents are also eligible.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded in cyber security-aligned research fields offered by CSCRC Participant Universities, aligned with CSIRO’s Data61 themes and research priorities.
• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet all the following criteria:
• Hold First Class Honours or an equivalent undergraduate degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Artificial
• Intelligence, or a related field.
• Be admitted to a full-time PhD or MPhil program at one of the CSCRC Participant Universities (Edith Cowan University,
• University of Adelaide, Deakin University, UNSW, Charles Sturt University, QUT).
• Be no more than 12 months into their PhD or no more than 6 months into their MPhil.
• International applicants must reside in Australia and be from an approved country list.
• Must receive a tuition fee waiver from the university.
• Must have at least one confirmed university supervisor.
• Must meet security, character, and police check requirements.

How to Apply

Applicants must:

1. Submit a combined Resume/CV and Cover Letter in the “Resume/CV” upload field.

2. Upload their most recent academic transcript in the “Cover Letter” upload field.

3. Provide official transcripts showing First Class Honours (or equivalent).

4. Complete the David Irvine Scholarship MS Form, including a project concept proposal aligned with one of the designated research themes:

   • Resilient Systems

   • Security & Configuration Management of IoT

   • Next-Generation Authentication Technologies

   • Cyber Threat Prediction, Detection & Response

   • Cyber Security as a Service (Platform & Architecture)

   • Security Automation & Orchestration

   • Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing

   • Law and Privacy

Research idea requirements:
• Address real-world cyber security challenges using an interdisciplinary approach.
• Clearly specify the problem, methodology, and potential impact.

Contact email for support: [email protected]

Apply Now