Notification for AcSIR, India – the University of Melbourne, Australia Joint (Ph.D) Degree Program, 2025.

 

ACADEMY OF SCIENTIFIC AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (AcSIR), INDIA
&
THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Notification for AcSIR, India – the University of Melbourne, Australia
Joint (Ph.D) Degree Program, 2025

Applications are invited from candidates currently enrolled in AcSIR’s Ph.D. program across its associated Research Institutions, for the inaugural AcSIR (India) – The University of Melbourne (Australia) Joint Ph.D. Program.

In 2025, up to six project proposals/AcSIR Ph.D. candidates will be selected and supported for a 12-month period at The University of Melbourne (Melbourne), as part of the Joint Ph.D. Program.

The University of Melbourne is Australia’s leading collaborative institution, with a reputation grounded in outstanding contributions to research. Independent world rankings place the University of Melbourne at number 1 in Australia and among the leading universities internationally, currently ranked 19 (QS).

Candidates will be enrolled at, and meet, both institutions’ academic standards and requirements. They will be co-supervised by collaborative teams through an arrangement known as a jointly awarded Ph.D. and will be judged according to the academic standards at both institutions.

Candidates will work towards submission of a single thesis that meets both institutions’ requirements and undertake a final oral examination at AcSIR. Upon completion, each candidate will graduate with a jointly awarded degree recognised with a testamur from each institution. Each acknowledging the joint nature of the award. Candidates can participate in the convocation ceremonies at both universities, should they choose to do so.

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

Melbourne faculties / Research Areas:

• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
  • all areas
• Faculty of Science
  • Agricultural sciences (only)

Scholarship Benefits and Provisions – Melbourne (12 months):

• A 12-month research stay at the University of Melbourne.
  • Tax-free scholarship (stipend) for each joint Ph.D. candidate.

See the Graduate Research Scholarship page for full details.

• • Full tuition fee remission waiver
  • Relocation allowance of $3000 AUD (to contribute towards return airfare, visa fee etc.)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for an international candidate who requires a student visa to study in Australia.

ELIGIBILITY

AcSIR candidates:

• Must be Indian nationals currently enrolled in the AcSIR Ph.D. program under any faculty at an associated Research Institute.
• Must be in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semester of Ph.D. enrolment as of the application date.

Eligible Ph.D. admission batches:

• Regular Ph.D.: January 2024, August 2024, and January 2025.
• IDDP: January 2022, August 2022, and January 2023.

Additional eligibility:

• A Masters degree in a relevant discipline, which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full time study and achieved a minimum weighted average of 80% or (Melbourne) equivalent.

• Must successfully complete the academic coursework and pass the comprehensive examination at AcSIR before enrolment in the joint Ph.D. Program.
• Must meet the University of Melbourne’s graduate English language entry requirements at the time of formal application, which is to be submitted by shortlisted candidates only. Specifically:

Graduate English language requirements
Course specific requirements

Note: AcSIR candidates employed in permanent positions (including industry-sponsored) are not eligible.

Supervisors:
The supervisory team must consist of at least two Principal Investigators (PIs), one from an AcSIR Research Institute and one from Melbourne. The PIs must have the capacity to serve as principal supervisors for a jointly enrolled Ph.D. candidate. Each PI must meet the supervisor eligibility criteria set by their own institution and each PI is responsible for checking their own eligibility to apply.

AcSIR Supervisor:
Scientists from AcSIR-associated research institutes who have been formally recognized as AcSIR faculty, have Ph.D. candidates from the relevant batches as specified in the eligibility, and are available to serve as primary supervisors throughout the duration of the PhD candidate’s enrolment in the joint Ph.D. program.

Melbourne Supervisor:
Melbourne academics must be registered to supervise as per the Graduate Research Training Policy (MPF1321). Principal supervisors should be employed at Melbourne beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidate (2029). If their employment contract does not extend beyond the candidates’ submission date, then alternative arrangements must be in place, by either having:

a) A named co-supervisor employed at Melbourne beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidate (2029); or

b) A letter of support from the respective Head of Department/Head of School detailing the arrangements in place to ensure continuity of supervision.

For more information, including forms for supervisor registration, please consult the Information for Supervisors on the Graduate Research Hub.
Honorary employees whose primary academic affiliation is with Melbourne are eligible to lead an application as a PI if they are a registered Principal Supervisor at Melbourne.
Melbourne academics must not have outstanding Progress Reports or Final Reports from any other University of Melbourne Researcher Development or ICRA Scheme.

Additional notes for all Supervisors
Additional colleagues (including other partners in Australia, India, or internationally) are not eligible to apply as principal supervisors, although they can participate in the co-supervision of joint Ph.D. candidates. However, involvement of shared external partners that benefit the project, for example through translation support or providing internship opportunities, is encouraged. PIs cannot be part of more than one proposal for one (1) joint Ph.D. candidate as part of this call but can co-supervise other projects.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies
Adherence to respective equality/equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies are a core feature of this scheme to ensure that all participants can do their best work, thrive and succeed. Applicant teams should consider how they can take meaningful steps in their future collaborations to foster an environment that values, supports and respects a diverse range of views, knowledge and experiences.
Applicants should consider EDI as it applies to gender, indigenous peoples, disabilities, career stages and sectors.
Applications that do not satisfy these criteria will not be eligible.

Application Procedure
Eligible and motivated Ph.D. scholars, in consultation with their AcSIR supervisors, are strongly encouraged to apply for this exceptional and globally enriching research opportunity to collaborate with the internationally acclaimed University of Melbourne.

Key steps:

• Eligible candidates, in consultation with their AcSIR supervisor, should use the Melbourne Find an Expert tool to identify a potential Melbourne supervisor whose research aligns with their interests.
• Prepare and submit a “Project Proposal”, jointly designed in consultation with your AcSIR and Melbourne supervisors.

The project proposal must include:

• An abstract of the PhD project
  • Title
  • Introduction / Background
  • Research Problem and Objectives
  • Methodology
  • Significance
• An overview of the PhD project providing:
  • A supervision plan, highlighting why the project requires time to be spent at Melbourne and the benefits of doing so
  • A GANTT chart showing the division of time to be spent by the candidate at both institutions
  • Details of the PIs/research groups involved, including EDI priorities, CVs and links to each PIs website
• A summary of the collaboration value and potential impact, noting:
  • The extent of the planned collaboration between the PIs beyond joint supervision.
  • How the proposal could lead to the development of a larger network of researchers across both institutions.
  • A plan for leveraging future external funding, if applicable.

The project proposal must be collaboratively designed and mutually agreed upon by both AcSIR and Melbourne supervisors before submission.

Reporting and other conditions

Melbourne recipients will be required to provide regular updates on project progress during the candidature of their candidate. These updates will be requested annually by the International Collaborative Research Academy (ICRA) Academic Lead. Recipients who fail to participate in regular reporting mechanisms for this ICRA may be found ineligible for participation in future Researcher Development or ICRA Schemes.

Evaluation of projects

The proposals will be reviewed according to the following selection criteria:

• Collaborator complementarity – What is the evidence of an existing research relationship, or added value of a new collaboration? How does the collaboration combine mutual areas of interest and strength at Melbourne and the AcSIR Research Institute?
• Project design and rationale – How clearly presented and justified is the basis for, and design of, the joint Ph.D. project? What are the anticipated benefits of involving a joint PhD researcher in the collaboration? What is the benefit of the candidate spending12 months at Melbourne?
• Quality of supervision – How will the PIs work together effectively in jointly supervising their shared Ph.D. candidate? How will the Ph.D. candidate be integrated into the research environment at each institute? What are the beneficial learning outcomes and experiences planned for the joint Ph.D. candidate? Have the PIs accounted for any challenges that may arise when supervising a joint Ph.D. candidate?
• Potential impact – What is the level of originality and innovation in the research proposal? To what extent does the research proposal plan to address significant challenges and what is the anticipated benefit to local or international communities?
• Capacity for expanded collaboration – What is the extent of the planned collaboration between the PIs beyond joint supervision? How well does the proposal plan to leverage external funding? To what extent are future collaborations made possible as a result of the proposed activities? How could the project seed the development of a larger network of researchers?

Key Dates

Call opens for project proposal applications: Monday 14 July 2025
Deadline for project proposal applications: Friday 12 September 2025
Announcement of successful project proposals: October 2025

Submission of Projects

• AcSIR candidate to submit the completed application form, along with the co-designed project proposal (template provided), CV, and grade cards/transcripts of your bachelor’s and master’s programs, to the AcSIR Coordinator at your Institute.
• The AcSIR Coordinator will forward the applications (including the comprehensive exam report, if completed) via email to:
  Manager, International Academic Partnerships (admission.jdp@acsir.res.in)
  with a copy to Senior Manager (arpita.acsir@acsir.res.in) by 12 September, 2025.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

• Melbourne supervisors can be found using the Melbourne Find an Expert tool.
• Selected candidates must fulfil the academic requirements of both Melbourne and AcSIR throughout the duration of their enrolment.
• Communication regarding selection will be sent directly by Melbourne.
• Submitting the jointly designed Project Proposal is a preliminary requirement and does not guarantee admission to the Joint (Ph.D) Degree Program. Final selection is at the discretion of the University of Melbourne.
• Terms and provisions are subject to change by AcSIR or Melbourne as necessary.

Contacts

Please address queries to the relevant contact.

AcSIR contact details:

International Academic Collaborations
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research
admission.jdp@acsir.res.in

Melbourne contact details:

The International Collaborative Research Academies team
The University of Melbourne
jointphd-admin@unimelb.edu.au

 

Please click the links below to download:

Notification  |   Application   |    Format for Project Proposal