Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA): Call for Joint PhD Projects

Overview

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT
Kharagpur), the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research Tirupati (IISER Tirupati) and the University of Melbourne (Melbourne) continue
to develop their strategic partnership through the Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA),
offering opportunities for research collaboration and engagement.

In 2026, the Indian institutes and Melbourne are collectively calling for project proposals from
engineering, IT, science, medicine, dentistry and health sciences to establish pairs of supervisors, with
each supervisory team supporting one (1) joint PhD candidate. Candidates participating in the program
are jointly supervised by academics from Melbourne and the Indian institutes.
We kindly request that you review each call guidelines document thoroughly to determine if your
faculty has a partnership with the Indian Institute for this particular call.

Each recruited PhD candidate will receive a funding package that includes tuition fee waivers/remission scholarships (where applicable), a stipend, health insurance, travel insurance, relocation and travel support. Candidates will be enrolled at, and meet, both institutions' academic standards and requirements. They will be co-recruited and jointly supervised by collaborative teams.

Candidates will work towards submission of a single thesis that meets both institutions' requirements and undertake a final oral examination. Upon completion, candidates will be eligible to graduate with two testamurs – one from each institution, noting the partnership with the other – and participate in the convocation ceremonies at both universities, should they choose to do so.

Eligibility

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

The supervisory team must consist of at least two Principal Investigators (PIs), one from the Indian institute and one from Melbourne. The PIs must have the capacity to serve as principal supervisors for jointly enrolled PhD candidates. Each PI must meet the supervisor eligibility criteria set by their own institution and each PI is responsible for checking their own eligibility to apply.

Melbourne PIs can submit one project proposal per Indian institute for one (1) joint PhD candidate as part of this call.

The University of Melbourne

Melbourne academics must be registered to supervise as per the Graduate Research Training Policy
(MPF1321).  Principal supervisors should be employed at Melbourne beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidate (2031). If their employment contract does not extend beyond the candidates’ submission date, then alternative arrangements must be in place, by either having:

1. A named co-supervisor employed at Melbourne beyond the envisaged submission date of their PhD candidate (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.

For more information, including forms for supervisor registration, please consult the information for supervisors section on the Graduate Research Hub.

Honorary employees whose primary academic affiliation is with 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 provided approval form to fund the Melbourne cash component (AUD$5,000) of the collaborative activity; or
2. They participate at their own expense if they are otherwise unaffiliated (for example, they hold an emeritus position).

Melbourne academics must not have outstanding Progress Reports or Final Reports from any other University of Melbourne Researcher Development or ICRA Schemes.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati (IISER Tirupati)

Indian institute academics to view the respective Indian institute Call Guidelines available under 'Supporting Documents' below for further information regarding eligibility.

How to apply

1. Review the Guidelines

   Each Indian institute has its own call guidelines. Please review the relevant call guidelines prior to submission.

2. Complete and submit the application

   A single, jointly-prepared application in English must be submitted via the Microsoft form by Sunday 15 March 5.00pm AEDT/11.30am IST. Applications should be written in English and for an audience proficient, but not expert, in the field.

   The submitted applications will be downloaded in PDF format by Melbourne administration and sent to one of either IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, or IISER Tirupati soon after the scheme deadline. For IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, there is no need for applicants to submit a copy of the application form to the Indian institute's administration. For IISER Tirupati, the application must be routed through the International Relations office.

   All Melbourne PIs must ensure that the Head of Department/School and Associate Dean (Graduate Research) endorsement is attached to the application using the approval form also available under 'Supporting Documents' below (ADGR sign off is not required for MDHS applicants). Endorsement must include the commitment of a scholarship.

   Melbourne applicants who hold an Honorary position must also complete the Honorary declaration form.

   Indian institute PIs must review their respective call guidelines regarding their necessary approval/s.

Supporting documents

• IIT Kanpur – Melbourne call guidelines 2026
• IIT Kharagpur- Melbourne call guidelines 2026
• IIT Madras – Melbourne call guidelines 2026
• IISER Tirupati – Melbourne call guidelines 2026
• Microsoft application form
• Application preview form

• Information for Supervisors – Graduate Research Hub
• HoD and Associate Dean (Graduate Research) approval forms (ADGR sign off is not required for MDHS applicants)
• Honorary declaration form
• Further information about MIPA

Contacts