MRIWA PhD Scholarships Program

MRIWA PhD Scholarship applications

Applications for the 2027 MRIWA PhD Scholarships Program are now closed. Applications received after 11.59 pm AWST on Monday 2 November 2026 will not be accepted.

What happens next?

Applications will now progress through MRIWA’s assessment and approval process. Applicants will be notified directly of the outcome in January 2027.

Information about the next MRIWA PhD Scholarship round, including opening and closing dates, eligibility requirements and application documents, will be published on this page when applications reopen.

MRIWA PhD Scholarships Program

The MRIWA PhD Scholarship Program awards scholarships to postgraduate research students undertaking minerals research that will advance Western Australia.

Research can be in any discipline, and include technical, economic, environmental, social, and political perspectives. The Program provides:

• annual scholarship funding of $45,381
• an additional annual research and travel allowance of $6,483
• access to events and networking opportunities
• training and ongoing support throughout the scholars’ studies

Scholarships Program Aims

The aims of the Scholarships Program are:

• to support novel research that addresses current gaps or innovation in the minerals industry that will have direct impact for Western Australia
• to support students to access and foster industry-academia collaborations
• to contribute to the development of the minerals research workforce in Western Australia

2027 Scholarship Round – Applications Closed

Scholarships offered in the 2027 round

The following scholarships were offered in the 2027 round through three streams:

• One MRIWA Odwyn Jones PhD Scholarship: targeting research in the Precision and Low Impact Mining focus area to advance safer, more efficient mining through precision technologies and reduced environmental impacts.
• Two MRIWA PhD Scholarships: one in each of the areas outlined below targeting:
• Alternative Use of Tailings and Waste focus area to advance circular economy solutions for the critical minerals industry to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste.
• Net Zero Emission Mining and Green Steel focus areas to accelerate mining and mineral processing decarbonisation through clean energy, innovation and low-emissions technologies.
• Two MRIWA PhD Scholarships for Women: one in each of the areas outlined below supporting women-led research targeting:
  • Any of MRIWA’s focus areas.
  • Net Zero Emission Mining and Green Steel focus areas to accelerate mining and mineral processing decarbonisation through clean energy, innovation and low-emissions technologies.

2027 Scholarship Guidelines

The 2027 MRIWA Scholarship Program Guidelines for Applicants are retained for reference. Applications for this round are closed.