The University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship is a prestigious postgraduate award established to support outstanding international and domestic students who demonstrate a strong, proven commitment to the field of human rights. Offered for graduate research programs—specifically Master by Research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees—this scholarship provides high-achieving scholars with full financial backing to pursue advanced research initiatives at Australia's leading research institution. The primary objective of the Human Rights Scholarship is to foster impactful research that addresses pressing global, regional, or domestic human rights issues. Scholars selected for this award undertake independent research under the supervision of world-class academics, gaining access to cutting-edge research facilities, academic networks, and interdisciplinary human rights institutes within the University of Melbourne. About the University of Melbourne Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and as a premier tertiary institution in Australia. Known for its rigorous academic standards and global research impact, the university hosts a vibrant international research community. Graduate research scholars at Melbourne benefit from state-of-the-art libraries, research centers, and dedicated academic support services. The university maintains strong partnerships with international human rights organizations, legal centers, government bodies, and non-governmental institutions, providing a rich academic environment for human rights research. Financial Benefits and Funding Structure The University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship offers comprehensive financial support for the duration of the scholar's graduate research degree. Classified as a fully funded award, the scholarship covers critical living and study expenses to ensure scholars can focus dedicatedly on their research. Key financial benefits provided under the scholarship include: - Full Tuition Coverage: 100% tuition fee waiver for up to two years for Master by Research candidates and up to four years for PhD candidates. - Living Allowance Stipend: An annual living stipend provided at the standard University of Melbourne research rate to cover room, board, and daily expenses. - Relocation Allowance: A dedicated grant to assist international or interstate scholars with airfare and relocation expenses upon moving to Melbourne. - Health Insurance: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) single membership provided for international student visa holders. Detailed Eligibility Requirements To qualify for consideration for the University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship, applicants must meet both academic admission criteria and program-specific human rights criteria: - Academic Qualifications: Applicants must meet the entry requirements for a Master by Research or PhD program at the University of Melbourne, including holding a relevant bachelor's degree with high honors or a master's degree with a substantial research component. - Human Rights Commitment: Applicants must demonstrate a strong personal commitment to human rights through prior research, employment, volunteer work, or advocacy initiatives. - Degree Level: Open exclusively to candidates applying for or currently enrolled in a graduate research degree (Master by Research or PhD). - English Language Proficiency: Candidates must meet the University of Melbourne's official English language entry requirements for graduate research. Required Application Documents Applicants preparing an application for the University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship must compile a complete application dossier containing the following documents: - Official Academic Transcripts: Transcripts and degree certificates for all previous tertiary qualifications, with certified English translations where applicable. - Personal Statement: A detailed personal statement highlighting the candidate's dedication, achievements, and commitment to human rights principles and advocacy. - Research Proposal: A comprehensive research project proposal detailing the research questions, methodology, significance, and alignment with human rights studies. - Curriculum Vitae (CV): An updated academic and professional CV outlining relevant research, publications, employment, and volunteer experiences. - Academic Referees: Contact details and formal referee reports from academic referees supporting the candidate's research aptitude. Application Procedure Applying for the University of Melbourne Human Rights Scholarship follows a two-step process: 1. Application for Admission: Candidates must first submit a formal application for a graduate research program (Master by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne and obtain an unconditional or conditional offer of admission. 2. Scholarship Application: Once the admissions application or offer is established, candidates submit a separate online application for the Human Rights Scholarship through the official University of Melbourne scholarship portal, attaching all required supporting documentation including the personal statement and research proposal.

• Apply for a graduate research degree at UniMelb and secure an offer
• navigate to the official UniMelb scholarship portal at scholarships.unimelb.edu.au
• log in to the portal
• upload your personal statement regarding human rights commitment
• submit official academic transcripts
• upload your research proposal
• complete all required form fields
• submit the scholarship application prior to the official deadline