Established by the late Stan Perron AC, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation (SPCF) supports a range of causes especially those related to the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children. The SPCF has recognised the significant financial challenges faced by PhD candidates and is keen to improve attraction, retention and research career pathways. Through generously funding PhD scholarships the SPCF fulfills a key purpose of its mission which is to build research capacity in child health in Western Australia. In collaboration with Curtin University, the SPCF PhD Scholarship scheme provides base stipends as well as top-ups.
Child health is a critical topic of importance to the Western Australia community. This includes health and wellbeing from conception through to 25 years of age.
Improving the health of children can have profound and ongoing benefits through life, to the child and their family network, and to the broader society. This opportunity will provide up to 10 PhD stipend scholarships valued at $50,000 per annum, and 4 PhD top-up scholarships increasing existing Curtin stipends up to $50,000 per annum.
Aim
To both support existing Curtin Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, and to attract new students working in child health.
Objectives
In addition to completion of their qualification, recipients will be expected to demonstrate active engagement in research translation, consumer and stakeholder engagement (a compulsory requirement of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation), community outreach, and participation in relevant industry or end-user internships during their enrolment period.
Significance
Supporting child health has the capacity to fundamentally improve a child’s entire life, and to allow them to participate fully in their community. Research which can support this engagement is therefore of the highest significance to Western Australia.
Preference will be given to research that demonstrates clear pathways to impact for Western Australian children, young people, and their families.
This scholarship prioritises research with demonstrable translation pathways into policy, practice, or community outcomes.
Internship opportunity
The successful candidate will be connected with an industry advisor and may be offered an internship opportunity in relation to the research project. Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to engage with industry, community, and policy stakeholders as part of their research.
Ideal Candidate
For the 2027 round, applications are limited to domestic candidates.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be enrolled, or seeking to enrol, in a Curtin PhD (full-time) and meet all entry requirements
- Be able to clearly articulate how their research will positively impact the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children and young people (from conception through to 25 years of age)
- Demonstrate strong academic performance and research capability (aligned with competitive RTP scholarship expectations)
- Show evidence of research potential, including prior research experience, outputs, or relevant professional experience
- Demonstrate commitment to consumer and stakeholder engagement within their research approach (this is a compulsory expectation of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation)
- Express a clear motivation to contribute to research capacity and capability in Western Australia
- Demonstrate willingness to engage in research translation, industry collaboration, and community engagement activities throughout candidature
We particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience or backgrounds that contribute to diverse perspectives in child health research.
This Scholarship is funded by the generosity of the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation. As of June 2024, the Foundation has donated over $180 million since its inception in 1978, with additional commitments of $145 million to be disbursed progressively over the next 10 years. Funds continue to be given to organisations and individuals with a significant focus on Mr Perron’s heartfelt desire to help Western Australian children battling illness, disability and disadvantage
Curtin Perron PhD Scholarship
Valued at $50,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, or until course completion (if completed earlier).
Curtin Perron PhD Top-Up Scholarship
Provides funding to bring the recipient’s total stipend to $50,000 per year, for up to 3.5 years, in line with the duration of their existing stipend.
Up to 10 Curtin Perron PhD Scholarships and 4 Top-Up Scholarships will be available for students commencing in 2027
How to Apply
Current PhD students should discuss their eligibility for this scholarship with their supervisory team, and submit an Expression of Interest Form.
Future students interested in undertaking a child health research project should identify a potential research supervisor, then submit an Expression of Interest Form.
The Expresison of Interest should Include a Personal Statement (maximum 1,000 words) addressing motivation, research alignment, capability, and anticipated impact; and this must clearly demonstrate how they meet the Stan Perron selection criteria, including:
- The anticipated impact of the research on the health and wellbeing of Western Australian children and young people
- A commitment to consumer and stakeholder engagement as part of the research design and delivery (compulsory)
- Motivation to contribute to research capacity and capability in Western Australia
- Research capability consistent with competitive HDR scholarship selection (aligned with RTP-level expectations)
Please note to be considered for this Scholarship you must submit an Expression of Interest form and be endorsed by your supervisor during the Central Scholarship round 1st July – 31st July 2026. Submissions outside of the round will not be considered.
Outcomes will coincide with the Central Schoalrship round, and be released by late November for 2027 commencement.
Enquiries
For all other enquiries about the Stan Perron Scholarship, please contact the Graduate Research School Scholarships Team