Application process
Prospective candidates should follow the process outlined below. Applications that do not follow this process will not be accepted.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): If you are interested in undertaking a PhD or Masters by Research at ISF, your first step is to submit an EOI. The ISF HDR EOI form asks about your research interests, proposed topic, and whether you intend to apply for a UTS living allowance and/or tuition fee scholarship. We encourage you to review our list of supervisors to identify potential supervisors whose research interests align with your proposed topic. If you have a potential supervisor in mind, you may contact them directly and send them your EOI form and CV. Alternatively, you may email the ISF Higher Degree by Research Program (HDR Program) at HDR.ISF@uts.edu.au with any questions or to submit your EOI form and CV.
- Identify a potential supervisor: Once you submit your EOI, we will share it with ISF supervisors whose research interests may align with your proposed project. If a supervisor is available and interested in discussing your proposed research, they will contact you directly. Please note that applications cannot proceed until at least one ISF supervisor is willing to support your application. While we do our best to identify potential supervisors, submitting an EOI does not guarantee that a suitable supervisor will be available.
- Apply for pre-approval: Once you have confirmed an interested supervisor, you will work with them to prepare your pre-approval application. You will need to prepare and submit three documents, including response to the assessment criteria, your CV, and academic transcripts for your previous degree(s). Please follow the guidance for applicants in Applying for a research degree at ISF when preparing your documents. Applications should be emailed to HDR.ISF@uts.edu.au and copy your proposed supervisor(s) in the email. Closing dates for those seeking a UTS scholarship for living allowance are published in advance on this page.
- Wait for confirmation: Pre-approval applications are approved by the LDLC. If you are seeking a UTS scholarship for a living allowance, the LDLC will also rank your application. Please note that pre-approval is not a guarantee that you will be awarded a scholarship.
- Apply to UTS: Pre-approved applicants can then proceed to submit an enrolment application to UTS. Processing of applications by UTS can take several months and includes decisions on the award of scholarships. You will be contacted directly by the UTS Graduate Research School with the outcome of your application.
Application deadlines
Applications for ISF pre-approval may be submitted and assessed throughout the year. However, applicants seeking a UTS competitive scholarship must submit their application by the deadlines listed below to be included in the scholarship ranking process.
Please note that the ISF HDR pre-approval process should be completed at least three weeks before the relevant UTS application deadlines to allow sufficient time for submitting applications to UTS. Separate deadlines apply to domestic and international applicants seeking UTS competitive scholarships.
Domestic scholarship deadlines
6 March 2026 – for commencement from July 2026, Research Session 2 (enrolment between July and November)
14 August 2026 – for commencement from January 2027, Research Session 1 (enrolment between January and May)
International scholarship deadlines
24 April 2026 – for commencement from January 2027, Research Session 1 (enrolment between January and May)
28 August 2026 – for commencement from July 2027, Research Session 2 (enrolment between July and November)
Other information
How to apply to UTS (after you receive pre-approval from ISF)