The Forrest Research Foundation administers this annual fellowship for early-stage postdoctoral researchers in any discipline. Fellows conduct up to three years of full-time research at one of five eligible Western Australian universities while living in and contributing to the Forrest Hall community.
The appointment combines university employment with at least 0.8 FTE dedicated to research and service through mentoring, leadership or ambassadorial work. The 2026 application round for fellowships commencing in 2027 is closed, and the Foundation states that applications will reopen in May 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Salary at Level A Step 8 for years one to three; the University of Western Australia example is approximately AU$112,371 in 2026 plus 17% superannuation, while other university salaries may vary.
- An accommodation supplement of AU$25,740 per year at 2026 rates, subject to tax; the Foundation separately recoups rent for residence at Forrest Hall.
- A one-off research and travel allowance of up to AU$12,000 for approved research expenses and conference or overseas research travel.
- Interstate and international fellows may apply for up to AU$10,000 in relocation support, including an economy airfare to Perth for the fellow and dependants.
- Up to three years of full-time support, conditional on satisfactory progress.
Eligibility
- Applicants may be from any country and any discipline.
- For the 2026 round, applicants needed a PhD conferred on or after 1 January 2024, or completion of all PhD requirements by 31 December 2026; the PhD must be conferred before the appointment begins.
- Applicants must identify and contact a supportive prospective mentor at Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame Australia or The University of Western Australia before applying.
- Applicants must intend to live at Forrest Hall during the fellowship, although the Governors may consider exemptions, and successful candidates must accept employment at an eligible Western Australian university.
- Career interruptions may be explained in a supplementary document, but the published fellowship eligibility window remains two years post-PhD.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
Australia
Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Identify a suitable mentor at one of the five eligible universities, discuss the project and secure the mentor’s agreement.
- 2Complete the application form, including a 500-word plain-English research proposal, three potential impacts, the benefit to Western Australia, the proposed contribution to the Foundation community and relevant leadership or mentoring experience.
- 3Upload the completed form, a passport-style photograph and a CV of no more than four pages, and provide three referees, at least two of whom are academic.
- 4Submit one application through the Foundation’s online portal by the advertised deadline.
- 5If shortlisted, expect referee checks and an interview before the Foundation announces its decision.
Program timeline
Information session.
27 May 2026
Application deadline.
30 June 2026, 11:59 p.m. AWST
Shortlisting completed.
Early September 2026
Referees contacted and interviews held.
Late September 2026
Applicants advised of outcomes.
Mid-November 2026
Fellowships commence.
2027, preferably before September
Applications reopen.
May 2027