4 Fully Funded UQ PhD Scholarships for Climate Loss and Damage in the Pacific
The University of Queensland (UQ) offers four fully funded PhD scholarships. These scholarships focus on co-developing solutions to climate-driven loss and damage in the Pacific. They come from an ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship. If you care about climate change and Pacific Island communities, this could be your chance to make a real difference through research.
Why These Scholarships Stand Out
Candidates get full funding that covers tuition fees, a living stipend of AU$37,500 per year (tax-free), and health cover for overseas students. You will work at UQ’s School of the Environment with top facilities and experts. The program includes funded trips to the field and partnerships with NGOs, governments, and groups in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
Professor Karen McNamara leads as the principal supervisor. Her team offers strong mentorship. This mix of classroom work, real-world fieldwork, and policy input sets these scholarships apart.
Key Research Areas
Each PhD project gets co-designed with your advisors to fit the fellowship goals and community needs. The main focuses include:
- Creating and adjusting methods to measure climate-driven loss and damage.
- Recording stories from people living through these changes and their own responses.
- Testing local solutions and checking how well they work.
- Shaping policies with clear guidelines from local to global levels.
You can shape your project based on your skills and interests in fields like geography or environmental science.
Ideal Candidates
Look for people with strong grades in geography, environmental science, Indigenous studies, or development studies. Experience in climate adaptation, community-based research, or policy work helps a lot. Scholars from Pacific Island nations, especially the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu, get special encouragement to apply.
Steps to Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Start with an EOI, which is the first step. Follow these steps:
Prepare Your Details
List your proposed supervisor, scholarship info, past qualifications, and at least two referee contacts. Add proof of English skills if needed.
Upload Documents
Send your academic CV, transcripts, and degree certificates as PDFs. Name files like “LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf”. Include English translations if originals are in other languages.
Build a Strong CV
Cover your name, contacts, nationality, languages, and ORCID ID. List education, awards, jobs, research, publications, and grants. Add a short 200-word note on your achievements if it helps show your background.
Choose Referees
Pick at least two people who know your academic or research skills. UQ contacts them directly, so no need for letters from you.
What Happens Next
Your chosen supervisor reviews the EOI, often within two weeks. They might set up a chat to check fit. If they support you, submit a full application with passport, citizenship proof, and more.
If not, pick another supervisor and try a new EOI. For international students, some use UQ agents.
Application Details and Deadline
Submit EOIs by April 15, 2026. Apply early to stand out. Visit the UQ PhD projects page for climate loss and damage in the Pacific to start.
Contact Professor Karen McNamara at [email protected] for project questions. Check the UQ study page for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What funding do these UQ PhD scholarships provide?
They cover full tuition fees, a tax-free living stipend of AU$37,500 per year, and health cover for overseas students.
Who supervises these PhD projects?
Professor Karen McNamara leads as the principal supervisor and offers strong mentorship at UQ’s School of the Environment.
What are the main research focuses?
Projects center on measuring climate-driven loss and damage, recording community stories, testing local solutions, and shaping policies from local to global levels.
What is the deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest?
EOIs must be submitted by April 15, 2026; apply early to stand out.