Deakin University Women PhD Scholarship to Study in Australia 2025/2026

Deakin University in Australia is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship for 2026, focusing on anti-doping research among women. This scholarship presents a unique opportunity for female researchers to contribute to the growing field of sports science and health.

About Deakin University Women PhD Scholarship

This is a fully funded PhD scholarship at Deakin University focused on anti-doping practices among women, particularly exploring the role of support personnel and socio-cultural influences on female athletes’ use of performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs). The project is co-designed with national anti-doping and sporting organizations and is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Brief Description

Scholarship Sponsor(s): Deakin University, in partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Host Institution(s): Deakin University

Scholarship Worth: $35,550

Number of Awards:1

Study Level: PhD (Higher Degree by Research)

Nationality: Open to both domestic and international candidates

Also check this: Study in Australia

Which fields qualify?

• Health and Social Development
• Sports Science
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Gender Studies
• Health Promotion
• Qualitative Research in Sport and Health

Also check this : UCL Humanitarian Scholarship 2025 | Study in UK

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a domestic or international candidate
• Meet Deakin University’s PhD entry Requirement
• Be enrolling full-time
• Hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master’s degree with a substantial research component
• Demonstrate a strong interest in anti-doping research and women’s health

Research topic

There is a growing consensus that the use of performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) such as anabolic-androgenic steroids among women is increasing and that support personnel such as coaches have an oversized influence on women’s decisions to use or avoid PIEDs. Utilising a qualitative approach, and informed by a co-design process with national anti-doping and sporting organisations, this project aims to;

1. investigate the role of support personnel (e.g., coaches, trainers, partners) in facilitating or preventing PIED use, and
2. to understand the broader psycho-socio-cultural factors that contribute to facilitating or preventing PIED use among female athletes.

This is a multisite project being conducted in Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The project team is led by Associate Professor Matthew Dunn from Deakin University and includes researchers from Deakin University (A/Prof. Severine Lamon and Dr. Jonathan Robertson) and Griffith University (Dr. Timothy Piatkowski) in Australia, Heriot-Watt University (Dr. April Henning) in Scotland, and Linnaeus University (Prof. Jesper Andreasson) in Sweden. The project is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Also check this : KNUST Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2025 | Fully Funded

Scholarship benefits

• AUD $35,550 per year (tax-exempt stipend for 3 years)
• Relocation allowance: AUD $500 (single) to $1,500 (family)
• International students:
  • Full tuition fee waiver for 4 years
  • Single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the visa

Also check this : VCU International Student Scholarship in USA

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit their CV and a cover letter to Associate Professor Matthew Dunn (m.dunn@deakin.edu.au).