Opportunity Title : La Trobe University FLEX Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

The La Trobe University FLEX Scholarship is a specialised research scholarship designed to support graduate researchers with disabilities whose disability has affected the pace at which they are able to undertake their studies.

Administered through La Trobe University's Graduate Research School, the FLEX Scholarship is intended to provide additional time and resources to eligible research students so they can successfully complete a doctoral or research master's degree.

The scholarship is particularly valuable because it goes beyond ordinary financial assistance. Depending on eligibility and approval, FLEX can provide extensions to candidature, stipend support, tuition fee coverage, leave of absence, and funding for disability-related research expenses.

Applicants must already be receiving, or have accepted an offer for, an RTP or LTGRS stipend. The FLEX Scholarship therefore works as additional support alongside the applicant's existing graduate research scholarship.

Successful FLEX Scholarship applicants may receive a combination of the following benefits:

• Annual stipend: A stipend valued at $36,000 per year for full-time study in 2026.
• Doctoral stipend extension: Up to 18 months for eligible doctoral candidates.
• Research master's stipend extension: Up to 8 months for eligible research master's candidates.
• Research support allowance: Up to $3,000 per year to help cover disability-related research expenses. Examples may include Auslan interpreting services or personal attendant care associated with attending conferences.
• Candidature extension: Up to 12 months full-time equivalent (FTE) for doctoral candidates.
• Master's candidature extension: Up to 6 months FTE for research master's candidates.
• Tuition fee scholarship: Coverage of tuition fees for the approved period of extended candidature, where applicable.
• Leave of absence: Up to 24 months in total, subject to applicable conditions.
• Additional study flexibility: The scholarship recognises that disability-related circumstances may affect research progress and provides additional time to support degree completion.

For international students, extensions and leave are subject to visa requirements and relevant university approvals.

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying. Generally, candidates must:

1. Hold an eligible stipend: Currently receive an RTP or LTGRS stipend, or have accepted an offer for one of these stipends.
2. Have a qualifying disability: The applicant must have a disability attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairments, or impairments associated with a psychiatric condition.
3. Have a permanent or likely permanent impairment: The relevant impairment or impairments must be permanent or likely to be permanent.
4. Experience substantially reduced functional capacity: The disability must substantially affect one or more areas such as communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management.
5. Provide evidence: Disability may be demonstrated through appropriate medical information or evidence of participation in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
6. Demonstrate an impact on study: Applicants must demonstrate that their disability affects the pace at which they can undertake their research, creating a need for additional time beyond the standard candidature period.
7. Research location: Priority may be given to applicants undertaking their research at a La Trobe University campus.

Academic requirements

For doctoral research scholarships, applicants should generally have completed a Master's by Research or possess another significant body of research equivalent to the La Trobe Master's by Research standard. This may include substantial research work such as lead authorship of a research thesis or peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a standard of 70 or above.

For Master's by Research scholarships, applicants should generally have achieved an equivalent of at least an Australian university High Honours 2A degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas university.

Importantly, the FLEX Scholarship can only be awarded where the applicant is already receiving an eligible RTP or LTGRS stipend or is successful in obtaining one.

Eligible applicants should follow the university's application requirements carefully:

Step 1: Obtain the application form

Download and complete the LTFLEX Scholarship Confidential Statement Form.

Step 2: Complete the impact statement

Provide relevant information explaining how the disability affects the pace and circumstances of your research and why additional time is required.

Step 3: Prepare supporting evidence

Applicants should provide appropriate medical evidence demonstrating the permanent and ongoing nature of the disability, consistent with the information provided in the impact statement.

Step 4: Submit the documents

Email the completed confidential statement form and supporting medical evidence directly to:

BGR@latrobe.edu.au

The submitted information will be considered as part of the scholarship assessment process.

Step 5: Seek clarification if needed

Applicants who have questions about the FLEX Scholarship or application procedure can contact:

GRSScholarships@latrobe.edu.au