The PhD top-up scholarship program is an important part of Wine Australia’s investment in developing researcher capacity and ability, ensuring we have researchers developing the skills and expertise needed for working on opportunities that will help improve sustainability and profitability of the Australian grape and wine sector.
While this opportunity is open to applications from PhD candidates delivering innovative research aligned to the One Grape and Wine Sector Plan themes addressed in Wine Australia’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030, this year we have identified several priority topic areas of interest. Preference may be given to applicants addressing a topic from the below list:
- Novel strategies for pest, disease and virus management in Australian vineyards
- Plant breeding and gene target identification.
- Novel mid-strength wine production processes.
- Nonchemical control of disease, for example using UV-C and autonomous technology
- Environmental, Social and Governance challenges as outlined in the ESG Investment Plan.
- Novel strategies across waste circularity, treatment, safe reuse of secondary materials and circular markets.
- Consumer insights, with a focus on moderation and health, export and emerging markets, macro and external drivers, value perception.
- Development and adoption of digital, data and Artificial Intelligence.
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Law, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
Study area: Accounting Finance & Economics, Business, Chemistry, Communications & Media, Computer Science & Information Technology, Creative & Performing Arts, Education, Engineering, Environmental & Biological Science, Health, Humanities & Social Inquiry, Law, Literature & Language, Management, Marketing, Maths, Medical Science, Nursing, Physics, Psychology & Human Behaviour, Social Sciences & Advocacy
Student type: Domestic students
Student status: Current student in first year of study, Future Students
Scholarship amount
Typically, the supplementary funding available is calculated from the RTP base rate, which from 1 January 2026 is $34,315.
In most cases, Wine Australia’s supplementary funding offer will bring the total student stipend up to the value of $39,315 (GST exclusive) per annum, including funding received through an RTP or other scholarship.
Duration
3.5 years full-time study
Application process
To apply for a Wine Australia Scholarship, you must complete an application online through the Clarity Investment Management System (CIMS). A log in and password can be obtained by emailing your full name, address, contact phone number and name of university where you will be studying to applications@wineaustralia.com
Selection criteria
Scholarships are awarded based on:
- academic excellence and research ability
- research feasibility and methodology
- industry alignment, considered against the priority areas of interest
- industry impact, considered against industry partnerships and engagement with industry, research outputs path to market or adoption by industry
- expertise of the proposed supervisor(s) and supervisor support, with the supervisor affirming that the project is feasible and that the candidate has a good track record, and quality of an applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, and perception of the likelihood for ongoing involvement in the Australian wine sector
Eligibility requirements
Candidates must:
- Be enrolled in, or have applied for, full-time PhD study. Please include your PhD start date, applicants who have already commenced their PhD may apply.
- Hold, or have applied for, an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
- Stipend Scholarship or another equivalent stipend scholarship through their host university. A statement to this effect should be included in the online application and if the Scholarship has already been awarded, a copy of the letter of offer should be included with the application.
Application closing date
Friday 14 November 2025
Contact information
Wine Australia