Fully Funded UQ PhD Scholarships for Climate Change in Pacific Islands 2026
Are you ready to tackle climate change in the Pacific Islands? The University of Queensland (UQ) offers fully funded PhD scholarships to help co-develop solutions for climate-driven loss and damage. These positions let you work with communities in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu on real-world problems.
Key Benefits of These Scholarships
These fully funded PhD scholarships cover everything you need to focus on your research. You get tuition fees paid, a living stipend of AU$37,500 per year (tax-free), and health cover for overseas students. Plus, you join the School of the Environment with top facilities and expert mentors like Professor Karen McNamara.
You will also get funding for fieldwork trips. This means hands-on work with NGOs, governments, and local groups. It’s a chance to mix academic study with policy work and community action.
What the Research Involves
Each PhD project fits the ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship goals. You and your team will design the project together based on your skills and community needs. The main areas include:
- Creating methods to measure climate loss and damage.
- Recording stories from people living through these changes and their own fixes.
- Testing local solutions on the ground.
- Sharing findings to shape policies at local, national, and global levels.
This setup lets you pick a topic that matches your interests, from geography to development studies.
Ideal Candidates
Look for people with strong grades in fields like geography, environmental science, Indigenous studies, or development. Past work in climate adaptation, community research, or policy helps a lot. Scholars from the Cook Islands, Fiji, or Vanuatu get special encouragement to apply.
You need good English skills and at least two referees who know your academic side. Bring your passion for change in Pacific communities.
Steps to Submit Your Expression of Interest
Start with an Expression of Interest (EOI). It’s the first step to get considered.
Prepare your EOI details: List your top supervisor choice, past degrees, referee contacts, and English test scores if needed.
Upload documents: Send your CV, transcripts, and certificates as PDFs. Name files like “LASTNAME_firstname_CV.pdf”. Translate non-English docs officially.
Build a strong CV: Cover your education, awards, jobs, research, publications, and grants. Add a short note (200 words) on your achievements if chances were limited. Skip photos or personal hobbies.
Add referees: Give details for two people who can vouch for your skills. UQ contacts them later.
What Happens Next
Your chosen supervisor reviews your EOI in about two weeks. They might set up a chat to check fit. If it goes well, you submit a full application with passport and extra proofs.
No match? Try another supervisor with a new EOI. Act fast, as spots fill quick.
Deadline and Application Links
Submit EOIs by April 15, 2026. Apply early for the best shot. Head to the UQ PhD projects page to start.
For project questions, email Professor Karen McNamara at karen.mcnamara@uq.edu.au. Check the full details on the UQ site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do these UQ PhD scholarships cover?
They pay your tuition fees, give a tax-free living stipend of AU$37,500 per year, and provide health cover for overseas students.
Who is eligible to apply for these scholarships?
People with strong grades in fields like geography, environmental science, or development studies, plus good English skills and two referees. Scholars from Cook Islands, Fiji, or Vanuatu are encouraged.
What kind of research will PhD students do?
You will co-design projects with communities to measure climate loss and damage, record stories, test local solutions, and share findings for policies.
How do I apply and what is the deadline?
Submit an Expression of Interest with your CV, transcripts, and referee details by April 15, 2026. Check the UQ PhD projects page to start.