CSIRO Industry PhD Program 


Scholarship Terms and Conditions 

1. Introduction 

The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program that focuses on applied 
research and working with the industry sector. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders 
with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia. 

 

The Program includes: 

a) admission to a university PhD program 
b) joint supervision by an Australian university, CSIRO and an industry partner 
c) a four-year scholarship package totalling approximately $48,000 per annum 
d) a four-year Project Expense and Development package of approximately $13,000 per annum 
e) a three-month (60 days full-time) equivalent Industry Engagement component 
f) structured career and professional development training 


 

Students who commence the CSIRO Industry PhD Program are subject to the policies, procedures, and 
guidelines of their university, in addition to these Scholarship Terms and Conditions and the terms specified 
on the CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement. Successful students will receive a standard PhD on 
completion. 

2. Program design and student eligibility 

iPhD projects are co-developed by the industry partner, university, and CSIRO and are designed for new 
students to commence an industry-focussed PhD project. 

 

To be eligible for entry to this Program, the student must: 

a) be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen 
b) meet host university PhD admission requirements 
c) meet host university English language requirements 
d) not have previously completed a PhD 
e) not be in receipt of another primary scholarship 
f) be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer 
g) enrol as a full-time PhD student; and, 
h) be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that has been approved and, if required, 
comply with the university’s external enrolment procedures. 


3. Scholarship package 

The CSIRO Industry PhD program provides a stipend worth approximately $48,000 per annum (2026 rate) for 
full-time study, which is made up of: 

i. Australian Government Industry PhD Program scholarship valued at approximately $36,000 
per annum (2026 rate), indexed annually at 3% 
ii. Industry top-up scholarship of approximately $12,000 per annum (not indexed) funded by the 
industry partner 


4. Project Expense and Development package 

A Project Expense and Development package of approximately $13,000 per annum for research operating 
costs and skill development will be made available to the supervising organisation at the primary location. 
The primary location is the location where the student is primarily based to undertake the iPhD project. 


Project expenses may include lab consumables, fieldwork, and other research costs. Travel costs associated 
with the project, three-month Industry Engagement component and/or approved development activities, 
such as relevant conferences, are also eligible expenses. The Project Expense and Development Package 
funds are an auditable scholarship benefit and must be expended in accordance with the principles set out 
in the travel and purchasing policies of the organisation at the primary location. 

4.1. Eligibility for Project Expense and Development package 

To be eligible for this funding, each year the student must: 

a) Receive approval from their CSIRO, industry and host university supervisors for their proposed 
development activities and project expenses 
b) Receive final approval from the supervisor at the primary location 
c) Manage expenses, such as the keeping of records, in accordance with the travel and purchasing policies of 
the organisation at the primary location 






4.2 Costs not covered by the Project Expense and Development package 

The package cannot be used to pay for non-development items including but not limited to: 

a) Professional membership exams 
b) Professional association membership fees 


4.3 Costs covered during the Industry Engagement component 

Although expenses for the Industry Engagement component must be expended in accordance with the 
principles set out in the travel and purchasing policies of the organisation at the primary location, where a 
student must travel a significant distance from their primary location, it is expected that as a minimum, the 
student will not be out of pocket for additional accommodation and travel expenses. 

5. Career and professional development training 

The CSIRO Industry PhD Program includes a structured and tailored career and professional development 
training component that builds skills needed to deliver industry-focused research including innovation, 
entrepreneurial skills, and leadership. This is a mandatory component, requiring a time commitment of 
approximately five days per year. The training is curated by the iPhD program staff and is delivered alongside 
the student’s PhD. Participation is mostly online; however, students are expected to attend an in-person event 
called LaunchCamp which may require students to travel interstate. CSIRO will reimburse up to an additional 
$1,500 to fund travel, accommodation and ancillary expenses for this event. 

6. Application process 

The following information is relevant to applicants who meet the Program’s student eligibility criteria. 

a) Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for each project they wish to be 
considered for following the instructions detailed on the participating university’s webpage. 
b) The EOI is then assessed by CSIRO, industry and university supervisors and a preferred applicant 
is nominated for the project. Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed. 
c) Nominated applicants are then invited to submit a formal application to the participating 
university. This application is assessed by the university against their PhD admission criteria. 
d) The university issues a letter of offer to the program if all admission requirements have been 
satisfied. 
e) The nominated applicant is enrolled and onboarded at the university. 
f) CSIRO issues an Industry PhD Student Agreement (see section 7.3) to the nominated applicant. 
g) On execution of the Industry PhD Student Agreement, the nominated applicant is onboarded 
at CSIRO. 


7. Tenure conditions 

To remain enrolled in the Program, and to continue receiving all scholarship benefits associated with the 
Program, all students must adhere to the following tenure conditions. 


7.1 Acceptance 

Awardees must accept their scholarship by the deadline in the scholarship letter of offer. The offer may be 
withdrawn if no response is received by the deadline. 

7.2 Enrolment 

The student must: 

a) Commence their candidature in the same calendar year as their offer (the first year) 
b) Be enrolled in full-time study at the host university for the duration of the Program, subject to the 
leave entitlements (section 7.5). 






 

7.3 CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement 

A CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement will be entered into by the participating university, the successful 
student and CSIRO. It will address intellectual property matters, publications rights and other contractual 
details. The agreement is aligned to the Collaboration Agreement, which has already been established between 
CSIRO, the university and industry partner during the project development phase. Project intellectual property 
(IP) and results will be owned and licensed in accordance with the Collaboration Agreement, however the 
student owns copyright in their thesis. Project publications are encouraged, but some conditions may be 
imposed to protect project IP and confidential information of the parties involved. 

7.4 Duration 

The duration of the scholarship is for a maximum period of four years when completed full-time. Part-time 
arrangements are discouraged and generally rejected. However, unique scenarios may potentially be 
considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the approval of the host university, CSIRO, and industry 
partner. Part-time scholarships are taxable. 

7.5 Leave entitlements 

Students are entitled to personal and sick leave in line with the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines 
(Research) 2017. Periods of leave longer than those outlined in the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines 
require approval from the university, CSIRO, and the industry partner. If permission is not provided, the 
student will only continue to maintain their scholarship subject to agreement by the host university, CSIRO, 
and the industry partner. 

7.6 Ongoing eligibility 

To meet ongoing eligibility during their candidature and in addition to all other requirements outlined in this 
document, the student must: 

a) Sign the CSIRO Industry PhD Student Agreement within six months of enrolment 
b) Demonstrate and maintain a level of academic performance which satisfies the university’s standards 
for PhD study. For example, achieve confirmation of candidature, complete progress reviews, thesis 
submission and successful completion 
c) Participate in all mandatory events and sessions which are part of the career and professional 
development training delivered by the iPhD program 
d) Interact with university, CSIRO and industry supervisors throughout their candidature and 
maintain an industry-focused PhD project under the guidance of the supervisors 
e) Undertake a 60-day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner and report on these 
activities to the host university and the iPhD team. 






7.7 Changes to supervisory team or project 

The student may request variation to their candidature through the university’s variation of candidature 
procedure. This may include changes to direction of the project or to supervisors. Any changes must be agreed 
by the university, CSIRO, the industry supervisor, and the student prior to the submission of the variation 
form. 

 

 


8. Industry Engagement component 

The student is required to undertake a 60-day Industry Engagement component preferably at the industry 
partner’s main location. This three-month (or 60 equivalent days) component can be completed as a block or 
spread throughout the four-year candidature. The student and supervisory team are required to develop and 
document a plan which must be approved by the host university. 

 

Activities should contribute to the development, research, and outcomes of the PhD project, and be related 
to the student’s area of research. Generally, any results from these activities can be included in the thesis so 
long as confidentiality and publication clauses listed in the Collaboration Agreement and Industry PhD Student 
Agreement are complied with. 

9. Reporting and Evaluation 

To support the ongoing improvement of the iPhD program, as well as to help evaluate the program effectiveness 
in achieving its stated objectives and intended outcomes, students will be invited to participate in program evaluation 
activities including interviews, longitudinal surveys and focus groups This is expected to occur two times per year 
over the life of the four-year PhD. 

10. Contact 

For further information on the Terms and Conditions contact the CSIRO Industry PhD Program Office: 
iphd@csiro.au