Overview
We offer three-year full pay PhD scholarships to support high performing EL1 and EL2 (or equivalent) Australian Public Service (APS) and eligible Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA) entity employees to complete PhD research on topics of national significance at The Australian National University (ANU).
Scholars and alumni build connections between academia and government, and drive the development of evidence-based public policy.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the PhD scholarship, applicants must:
- be a substantive Executive Level 1 or 2 employee (or equivalent);
- have at least three years' service in the Australian Public Service or at an eligible PGPA entity*; and
- have been admitted to a PhD program at The Australian National University, commencing in Semester 1, 2027
* See PGPA Act Flipchart and List. All entities included in the flipchart are eligible to participate in the scholarship program with two exceptions. Entities prescribed as Government Business Enterprises under the PGPA Rule and entities that are exempt or partially exempt from government policy orders (section 22 of the PGPA Act) are NOT eligible to participate.
Application process overview and key dates
Stage 1: ANU application
October 2025 - March 2026
Online information sessions held between October 2025 and February 2026:
PhD and MPhil research proposal writing workshop
Please register to attend via the links above.
ANU applications open for scholarship applicants
Candidates need to develop a research proposal. The research topic should be of public interest and strategic priority, of relevance and enduring interest to government. For more information about topics to consider, refer to the frequently asked questions.
Candidates should identify and liaise with an academic supervisor as they develop their research proposal.
All candidates need to submit a completed application for an ANU PhD program by 31 March 2026. More information about applying to ANU is available on the ANU website. Please allow enough time to prepare your ANU PhD application so that it is complete by 31 March 2026.
Once you submit your application, email the Foundation with your ANU application number.
31 March 2026
University applications close for scholarship applicants.
Stage 2: Agency application
April - July 2026
Agency selection processes
Once you have a letter of offer confirming you have been accepted into the program you have selected at ANU, you need to apply through your employer for their endorsement.
Complete the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Scholarship Application Form and submit it to your employer with supporting documents.
Participating agencies select candidates to put forward for shortlisting and interview by the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel.
Agencies look for the following attributes when selecting applicants for shortlisting:
- a record of high performance within the APS and Commonwealth public sector and leadership potential
- a demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of a career in the APS and Commonwealth public sector
- possession of academic credentials and a capacity to conduct high quality, sustained research, with acceptance into an approved PhD program at ANU
- identification of an area of research that is of public interest and strategic priority, of relevance and enduring interest to the APS and Commonwealth public sector.
Stage 3: Foundation shortlisting and interviews
August 2026
Agencies send nominations to the Foundation
The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation selection panel reviews the nominations and invites shortlisted candidates to interview.
Shortlisted candidate interviews
Stage 4: Outcomes
September 2026
Candidates notified of outcomes
Successful candidates will be offered a scholarship to commence the following February.
November 2026
New scholar orientation
February 2027
Scholars start the scholarship program and their studies
Administrative arrangements
Scholars enter into a Deed of Agreement with their employer, stipulating the APS agency or eligible PGPA entity's conditions of release for scholars to participate in the scholarship.
Sir Roland Wilson scholarships are full-pay scholarships. Scholars receive financial support from their employers, paid either as salary (at the scholar’s substantive grade) or as an equivalent financial payment. Taxation, superannuation and other employment conditions continue to apply, as per the relevant enterprise agreement. The Australian Public Service Commission provides advice to scholars’ employers regarding the drafting of the Deeds of Agreement.
Scholarships are awarded in accordance with ANU Conditions of Award (updated annually).