The Forrest Research Foundation Scholarships

The Forrest Research Foundation, established with a big grant from Andrew and Nicola Forrest, aims to strengthen Western Australia's place as a key player in research and innovation. They offer competitive scholarships for PhD students and fellowships for postdoctoral researchers to talented individuals passionate about important research. These scholarships offer solid support, letting scholars dive deep into impactful research at one of the five top universities in Western Australia.

Programs Offered

The Forrest Research Foundation offers a couple of main programs:

• Forrest PhD Scholarships: These scholarships are for students planning to get a PhD at one of the five universities in Western Australia. They welcome candidates from all fields of study and encourage creative research.
• Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowships: These fellowships are for early-career researchers who’ve finished their PhDs in the last two years or will do so by the end of the application year. They’re open to all areas of research and aim to bring in top researchers to keep their work going in Western Australia.

The five universities where Forrest Scholars and Fellows can conduct their research are:

• Curtin University
• Edith Cowan University
• Murdoch University
• The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle Campus)
• The University of Western Australia

Benefits

For Pakistani citizens, getting a Forrest Research Foundation Scholarship offers a great chance for research along with solid financial and academic support. Here’s what the scholarship typically covers:

• Tuition Fee Coverage: This scholarship takes care of all tuition fees for the PhD, thanks to the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) or similar university scholarships.
• Living Stipend: Scholars receive a yearly stipend to help with living costs. For 2025, that amount is around AUD $32,192 - $37,000, adjusted each year for living expenses.
• Accommodation at Forrest Hall: Scholars usually live in a studio apartment at Forrest Hall, which is a modern place that encourages research collaboration. There's also a yearly accommodation allowance of about AUD $25,116 for 2025.
• Relocation Support: This includes a flight to Perth for the scholar and their immediate family, plus a one-time relocation payment of up to AUD $10,000 for international scholars.
• Research and Travel Allowance: There's a one-time allowance of up to AUD $12,000 for approved research expenses, including trips for research and attending conferences.
• Health Insurance: International scholars get complete health insurance coverage, which takes care of their medical needs.
• Professional Development and Mentoring: The Foundation creates a supportive environment with mentoring and leadership opportunities to help scholars grow academically and professionally.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a Forrest Research Foundation Scholarship, Pakistani applicants must have great academic merit, outstanding research potential, and a desire to make a meaningful difference. Key eligibility requirements include:

• Exceptional Academic Excellence: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with first-class honours or equivalent. The majority of successful applicants have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.95/4.00, with many earning a perfect 4.00 in their undergraduate and/or graduate degrees. You should normally rank in the top 5% of your graduating class.
• Demonstrated Research Potential: Proven capacity to conduct high-quality doctorate research is required. Your suggested research should be unique and interesting, with the potential to have a substantial effect in your field and beyond.
• Communication and Engagement Skills: The ability to successfully convey your research findings and interact with your chosen academic and wider community is highly prized.
• Impact-Oriented Outlook: A strong willingness to use your research to make a meaningful contribution to Western Australia and the global society is a key qualification.
• English Language Proficiency: Before applying for the Forrest Scholarship, you must meet the English language entrance standards of your chosen Western Australian university. This usually entails attaining a required score on tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
• University Admission: You must also complete a separate, successful application for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at one of the Western Australian universities.
• Secured Supervisor Agreement: Crucially, you must discuss your doctorate research objectives with a potential PhD supervisor at a Western Australian university and obtain their formal approval to oversee your thesis. Your scholarship application will not be considered until you have signed this agreement.
• Residency at Forrest Hall: Forrest Scholars are normally expected to stay in Forrest Hall for the life of their scholarship. Exemptions may be considered in rare circumstances, subject to the Scholarship Conditions.

How to Apply

The Forrest Research Foundation offers highly competitive PhD scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships in Western Australia. The application process demands meticulous planning and early preparation.

Key Steps to Apply:

• Find a Supervisor: This is a first step. Look into universities in Western Australia and find a potential PhD supervisor whose research matches yours. Make sure to get their agreement to supervise your project before apply for the scholarship.
• Check University Admission Requirements: Make sure you meet all the academic and English language requirements for direct PhD admission at your chosen university in Western Australia.
• Apply for the PhD Program: Submit your application for the PhD program at the same time you apply for the scholarship. Keep an eye on the deadlines.
• Get the Scholarship Form: Download the Forrest Scholarship application form from their website.
• Gather Documents: Get your completed application form, a 4-page CV, academic transcripts, contact info for three referees (at least two should be academic), a passport-sized photo, and a statement about any career interruptions if you have them.
• Craft Compelling Statements: Create a solid research proposal that outlines your exciting PhD project. Also, write a personal statement that highlights your academic achievements, curiosity, resilience, and your hope to make a positive impact.
• Submit Both Applications: Make sure you submit your Forrest Scholarship application online, and double-check that your university PhD application is submitted by the deadline.
• Interviews: If you are shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview with the Selection Committee.

Important Notes for Pakistani Applicants:

• Start Early: Because this is a very competitive process, you should start planning ahead of time.
• Deadlines: PhD Scholarships are normally due in late October, whereas Postdoctoral Fellowships are due in June. For the most up-to-date information, see the official Forrest Research Foundation website.
• University-Specifics: For more information on PhD admission processes and English language requirements, contact Western Australian institutions' foreign admissions offices.
• Tailor your application: Ensure that your submission explicitly addresses the scholarship criteria, emphasizing your particular abilities and research congruence with the Foundation's objective.

FAQs

1. I got my Bachelor's degree from a Pakistani university, but it's not officially First-Class Honours. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply. The Foundation looks at equivalent academic performance. If your university has a different grading system, make sure your transcripts show you’re in the top 5% of your class, with a GPA of at least 3.8 out of 4.0. If you have an official grading scale from your university, that would be helpful too.

2. Do I need to have my IELTS or TOEFL scores before applying for the scholarship?

Yes, you do. You need to meet the English language requirements of your chosen university in Western Australia before you submit your Forrest Scholarship application. This means you'll need valid IELTS or TOEFL scores that meet the specific needs of the university.

3. Can I apply for any PhD program at any university in Western Australia?

Yes, you can apply for PhD scholarships in any subject area at the five participating Western Australian universities. Just remember, you need to have a supervisor agree to support your project at your chosen university.

4. Do I have to live at Forrest Hall if I get the scholarship?

Generally, yes. If you’re a Forrest Scholar, you’re expected to live at Forrest Hall to help create a collaborative research community. There might be some exceptions in special situations, according to the Scholarship Conditions.

5. Are there specific research topics or areas that the Forrest Research Foundation prefers?

No, the Foundation doesn’t have specific research themes or favorites. They focus on excellence, engagement, and curiosity, looking for innovative and impactful research proposals from all areas, as long as they show potential for a strong contribution.

6. How important is my research proposal when applying?

Your research proposal is really important. It needs to clearly lay out the uniqueness, importance, and feasibility of your research. It’s one of the key things the selection committee looks at to gauge your research potential and what impact your work might have.

7. Can I use this scholarship for a Master's degree program?

No, the Forrest Research Foundation Scholarships are only for PhD programs and Postdoctoral Fellowships. They don’t cover Master's degrees.