University of Melbourne—University of Bonn: Call for joint PhD project proposals

Overview

The University of Melbourne and the University of Bonn have funded several collaborative research projects to date and recruited over 80 joint PhD candidates through their supported research collaboration initatives. In 2026, the Universities are seeking to continue these opportunities through a University-wide call for joint PhD projects. Applications are invited, and encouraged, from all faculties and research areas.

Up to four joint PhD projects will be funded across two separate pairs of Principal Investigators (PIs), comprising one PI from Melbourne and one from Bonn. Each of these PI pairs will receive funding to support two joint PhD candidates, plus additional seed funding to support collaborative activities. Candidates and supervisors will join the established community of the Bonn—Melbourne joint PhD programs, offering opportunities to deepen and enrich their research networks.

Joint PhD candidates are enrolled at both institutions, perform their research under joint supervision, and are graded according to the academic standards of both institutions. Upon successful completion of the program, each candidate will be eligible to receive a joint PhD, recognised by two testamurs acknowledging the joint nature of the award.

This call for joint PhD project proposals is open to applications from academic supervisors only. If you are a prospective candidate interested in applying for a joint PhD, please refer to the information available here.

Eligibility criteria

See Guidelines (under 'Supporting Documents') for full eligibility requirements.

The supervisory team must consist of at least two Principal Investigators (PIs), one from Melbourne and one from Bonn. The PIs must have capacity to serve as primary supervisors for two jointly enrolled PhD candidates.

Previous Bonn—Melbourne Research Excellence Fund recipients and applicants are eligible to apply.

Current supervisors of joint PhD candidates funded through this program or through the Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate School in Immunology are not eligible to apply.

Melbourne 

University of Melbourne academic staff (minimum Level B) must be registered to supervise as per the Graduate Research Training Policy (MPF1321), and be contracted beyond the envisaged submission date of the PhD candidate(s) (2031). If their employment contract does not extend beyond the submission date, then alternative arrangements must be in place, by either having:

1. A named co-supervisor at Melbourne beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidates (2031); or
2. A letter of support from the respective Head of Department/Head of School detailing the arrangements in place to ensure continuity of supervision.

Honorary employees whose primary academic affiliation is with the University of Melbourne are eligible to lead an application as a PI if they are a registered Principal Supervisor at Melbourne, and either:

1. Their primary employer has entered into a written agreement for this call, using the Honorary Declaration Form provided, to fund the Melbourne cash component of the collaborative activity ($20,000); or
2. They participate at their own expense if they are otherwise unaffiliated (for example, they hold an emeritus position).

Bonn academics

Bonn academics must be authorized to act as primary supervisors for PhD candidates according to the relevant regulations of the respective faculties. The primary supervisors should be employed at Bonn beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidates (2031). If their employment contract does not extend beyond the submission date, then alternative arrangements must be in place, by either having:

1. A named co-supervisor at Bonn beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidates (2031); or
2. A letter of support from the respective Head of Institute, speaker of excellence cluster, or Bonn International Graduate School detailing the arrangements in place to ensure continuity of supervision.

Additional notes for all applicants

Additional colleagues (including other partners in Australia, Germany, or internationally) are not eligible to apply as PIs, although they can participate in the co-supervision of joint PhD candidates at their own cost. However, involvement of shared external partners that benefit the project, for example through translation support or providing internship opportunities, are encouraged.

Bonn and Melbourne academics must not have outstanding Progress Reports or Final Reports from any other University of Bonn International Office or University of Melbourne Researcher Development or ICRA Scheme.

Funding

Up to two (2) separate pairs of Principal Investigators (PIs), comprising one PI from Melbourne and one from Bonn, will be funded. Each of these PI pairs will receive funding to support two (2) joint PhD candidates. The candidates recruited to these projects will form a 2026 cohort of four jointly enrolled candidates in total. Successful PIs will also receive seed funding to support the growth in collaborative activity.

Each successful pair of PIs will support one candidate who will have Melbourne as their Home institution, and another who will have Bonn as their Home institution. See the Guidelines for further details on the program structure.

How to apply

1. Review the Guidelines

   Please carefully read the Guidelines before the submission.

2. Prepare and collect approvals for your application

   All Melbourne PIs must ensure that the Head of Department/School and Associate Dean (Graduate Research) endorsement is attached to the SmartyGrants application using the Joint PhD Proposal Approval Form provided on the Researcher Development Schemes website (ADGR sign off is not required for MDHS or FEIT applicants). Please allow time to collect this departmental approval. If you are unfamiliar with the approval process, your faculty research office can provide assistance.
   
   In addition, if the Melbourne PI is an eligible honorary employee, they must attach their Honorary Declaration Form to the application.

   If the application involves a Principal Investigator from the Faculty of Arts at Melbourne, the proposed project must first obtain Faculty pre-approval prior to submission. As part of this process, the required approval documentation must include details of how the candidate will meet the Faculty of Arts PhD coursework requirements.

3. Submit the application

   Log in to SmartyGrants to begin your application. Only one of the coordinating investigators will be able to create the application for your team, so you will need to decide who is responsible for submitting the application and collaborate on the application contents offline.
   
   Submit a single, jointly prepared application in English by 7 AM CEST / 5 PM AEST on 30 September 2026. The Melbourne administration team will transfer all submitted applications to the coordinating office in Bonn after the deadlne.

Supporting documents

• 2026 Bonn-UoM Open Call for Joint PhD - Guidelines
• SmartyGrants Application Form 2026
• Joint PhD Proposal Approval Form (HOD sign off is required for ALL faculties. ADGR sign off is not required for MDHS or FEIT applicants.)
• Honorary Declaration Form
• Information for Supervisors - Graduate Research Hub
• List of Projects Awarded Funding in Previous Rounds

Contacts