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Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship 2025

Mr Keiran McNamara AO was a dedicated and energetic advocate for conservation who achieved a remarkable legacy of biodiversity conservation, park management and environmental protection in Western Australia. He had a distinguished career in public service and was Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, and its predecessor the Department of Conservation and Land Management, from 2001 to 2013. A highlight of his career was the listing of World Heritage areas at Shark Bay, Ningaloo Coast and Purnululu.

The McNamara family has established the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship in honour of Mr McNamara. The Scholarship will assist eligible commencing PhD students to undertake research at one of the five Western Australian universities, and aims to advance knowledge and expertise relevant to the conservation and management of the natural values of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.

Provider:
Murdoch University, Curtain University, The University of Western Australia, Notre Dame University and Edith Cowan University
Duration of Award:
See scholarship details
Level of study:
  • Research

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive the Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship in 2025, an applicant must:

  • Have applied for PhD enrolment and primary scholarships at one of the five Western Australian universities and be commencing in 2025;
  • Be eligible to enrol full-time at a Western Australian university, or in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the university, enrol as a part-time student;
  • Have a bachelor’s degree of First Class Honours standard or equivalent; and
  • Intend to undertake research relating to identifying, managing and the conservation of World Heritage areas in Western Australia.

Eligible candidates provided by each university after the allocation of RTP awards are shortlisted for consideration by the Selection Committee in mid-December.

How to Apply

Eligible students should apply through their intended university’s postgraduate scholarships round.

Required Documents

The universities invite candidates to provide a 2 page research proposal summary which should include:
  • background to the topic
  • aims of the research
  • significance of the research and for World Heritage Areas
  • methodology
  • brief reference list
As well as other support materials:
  • details of supervisors
  • CV detailing education history, tertiary qualifications, work experience and awards
  • academic records/transcripts
  • 2 referee reports or letters of support
  • any published research papers

Payment Method

The Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Scholarship is offered as a supplementary scholarship to be held with the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) or other equivalent award, and provides $25,000 per annum, comprising:
  • A top-up stipend of $10,000 per annum; and
  • An allowance of $15,000 per annum for research expenses, including research related travel.