2026 Peter Mac Distinguished Scholars Fund
22 September 2025
Call for applications for the 2026 Peter Mac Distinguished Scholars Fund for a PhD in cancer research at Peter Mac in 2026.
This award was previously known as the Peter Mac Foundation Award.
The Peter Mac Distinguished Scholars Fund aims to promote excellence in cancer research by supporting outstanding PhD students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership qualities throughout their candidature at Peter Mac.
These awards are named in honour of long-term supporters of Peter Mac, including; Rosie Lew, Robert Kirby, Lester Peters, Stewart Barron and Jennifer Doubell. We acknowledge their tireless work supporting the Peter Mac Foundation’s fundraising activities.
Applications Close: 10:00 am, Wednesday 5 November 2025.
Eligibility
The 2026 award is open to students who:
- Will be *full-time ‘local’ students (Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen) OR are international students who are graduates of an Australian university. Applications will also be accepted from international students who have undertaken a placement at Peter Mac as part of their degree;
- Can demonstrate their potential research excellence through previous studies and/or experience;
- Meet university eligibility requirements to commence a PhD based at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2026. Current students are not eligible to apply.
- Can provide evidence of submission of a Round 1 University application for 2026 PhD candidature.
*Part time (PT) scholarships will be permitted for local students with childcare or maternity responsibilities, serious illness or injury, carer’s responsibility for close family members with serious illness or injury, disability or chronic illness affecting capacity. PT students are expected to maintain the requirement of 20h/week on the research project. If a student’s circumstances change, PT status will need to be re-visited and approved by the HOD or nominee.
Students jointly supervised by across-institute supervisors will only be eligible if their principal supervisor is based at Peter Mac and the majority of their studies will be completed on site at Peter Mac.
Conditions of Award
This scholarship provides award of $47,500 pa, comprised of:
- $44,500 per year living allowance, to be administered through the University.
- $3,000 per year student professional development support costs (travel, courses etc) administered through Peter Mac.
- This scholarship is awarded for a maximum of 3.5 years, subject to candidature extension.
NOTE: Students awarded a university scholarship may receive the Peter Mac award as a top-up scholarship of $10,000 per year living allowance and $3,000 per year student professional development support costs. Students in receipt of a competitive scholarship equal to the full amount of the award (eg NHMRC) may receive the Peter Mac award as the $3,000 per year student professional development support costs.
Download the Supporting Referee Report Form
If you have any questions,please contact: