Scholarship details
Study levels
PhD
Student type
Future students and Current students
Study area
Health and community
Citizenship
Australian or New Zealand and International
Application dates
- Applications close
- 30 September 2025
What you'll receive
You'll receive a stipend of $37,010 per annum (from 1 January 2026) for a maximum duration of 3.5 years while undertaking a QUT PhD. The duration includes an extension of up to six months (PhD) if approved for your candidature. This is the full-time, tax exempt rate which will index annually.
You'll also receive a scholarship top-up for $10,000 per annum from RACQ, for up to 3.5 years.
Finally, you will also receive a tuition fee offset/sponsorship, covering the cost of your tuition fees for the first four full-time equivalent years of your doctoral studies.
Eligibility
To be eligible to be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- be enrolled in, or have submitted an application to enrol in, QUT's Doctor of Philosophy degree in a full-time capacity prior to the application deadline (11:59pm AEST, 30 September, 2025)
- be studying a PhD in the area of road safety for children and/or active transport. If successful, you will be expected to work closely with the supervisory team and RACQ to co-develop a research proposal
- not have had any serious road safety offences in the previous 10 years, or any charges currently pending for a road safety offence.
Ideally, you will also be able to demonstrate:
- experience in road safety research, with a strong emphasis on applying disciplinary expertise to address real-world challenges in transport safety
- a motivation for pursuing advanced research in road safety, with a particular focus on protecting children and promoting active transport modes.
How to apply
To apply for this scholarship, email your application to Andrea McCrindle and include 'Application to RACQ Top Up Scholarship' in your subject line.
Your application should include summaries of your:
- experience in road safety research, ideally with strong emphasis on applying disciplinary expertise to address real-world challenges in transport safety (no more than one page)
- motivation for pursuing advanced research in road safety, with a particular focus on protecting children and promoting active transport modes (no more than one page)
- academic background and/or professional experience to date, highlighting key mile-stones and achievements. Please also include your future goals and how further study in this area aligns with your aspirations (no more than one page).
What happens next?
Final approval of the successful candidate and proposal will be subject to internal review and approval by QUT.
For questions about the application process, contact Andrea McCrindle, Centre Research Manager.
For questions about the scholarship specifically, contact Professor Sharon Newnam, Head of School.
About the scholarship
Aiden Wulf Guimaraes was born a fighter. At 18 months, he was diagnosed with 22q11 deletion syndrome and had undergone five surgeries by the time he was five years old. Although Aiden faced many adversities in everyday life, this nine-year-old showed inspiration and encouragement to everyone that crossed paths with him. Once meeting Aiden, you immediately experienced his charismatic, empathetic, and cheeky personality. This courageous little man tragically lost his life in a road traffic crash in 2024. Aiden was a pillion passenger, behind his dad, on their e-bike when they were struck by a vehicle, whilst riding in a clearly designated bike lane and wearing bike helmets.
This scholarship has been established by RACQ and QUT’s School of Psychology and Counselling to honour Aiden’s legacy by supporting a PHD candidate’s research into road safety for children and/or active transport. This scholarship is intended to provide supplementary funding to help advance their research.