An effective working relationship between research candidates and their supervisors is crucial for success
Your research question will provide the key focus for the full duration of your degree so you must consult a wide variety of resources and select a project you feel highly motivated to investigate. Depending on your area of study and research, you may be starting at the very beginning or you may already have a research project or area of focus from an already established research team.
A research proposal is a structured, formal document that explains what you plan to research (your research project), why it’s worth researching (your justification), and how you plan to investigate it (your methodology).
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You’ll be guided through the step-by-step application process to upload your supporting documentation, and nominate your referees and supervisors.
How to choose a research topic
Develop your own project
If considering your developing you own proposal, you are best to first identify a potential supervisor who works in your area of interest.
Your research question will provide the key research focus for the full duration of your degree so it is important that you consult a wide variety of resources and select a topic you feel highly motivated to investigate.
Find a research project
You may wish to join an established research project with a lead supervisor. You apply directly to that supervisor by providing an expression of interest to study that project. These are available, particularly in areas of science and health research.
Work with an industry partner
Griffith University encourages and supports collaborations between academics, candidates, and industry partners to enhance research translation and impact.
You can undertake your research degree with an industry partner, explore collaborative research projects, apply for external funding opportunities, and engage external supervision to further your career pathways. These opportunities provide practical and industry-relevant experience while you complete your doctoral studies.
Search for projects
Filter available projects
| Description | Closing date | Details |
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Advancing statistical models for clustering data with structured dependence Griffith merit based/grant funded scholarship investigating the development of novel methods to identify important subgroups in data with various forms of dependence. |
25/04/2025 |
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China's International Relations and Asian Security Griffith merit based scholarship examining China’s international relations and Asian security |
4/10/2025 |
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Anthropocene in Australia: faunal change through time Grant funded scholarship investigating the nature and direction of changes in Australian fauna in response to natural and anthropogenic factors |
30/05/2025 |
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Anthropocene in Australia: faunal communities Grant funded scholarship investigating the nature and direction of changes in fossil mammal communities in response to natural and anthropogenic factors |
30/05/2025 |
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Quantum dots hybrids for photocatalysis Grant funded scholarship with the primary focus of these roles being to synthesis high quality quantum dots with unique optical profile |
4/04/2025 |
Application tips
Learn more about our competitive and merit-based selection process and follow our checklist to submit your best scholarship application.
How to develop a research proposal
Choosing a research topic and writing your research proposal can be difficult when you're faced with a lot of choice.
Think carefully about your motivation to complete an HDR program. What are you passionate about? What topic, question, or problem do you want to tackle? Remember, you will be spending a lot of time on this topic, so a keen interest is a must.
Finding a supervisor hints and tips:
- Search for potential supervisors through our Research Centres and Institutes using Griffith Experts. Remember to be professional and courteous when contacting supervisors, think of your email as you would a professional cover letter
- Your email should be concise, but clearly explain why you think they would be appropriate to supervise your research and why they should consider supervising you
- Consider attaching your transcript(s) to your CV
- If you are having difficulties in locating an appropriate supervisor fill in this form to gain more information.
Narrow your focus to a single research topic. Once you have connected with your prospective supervisor, it is important to seek their input and advice on your research proposal. Developing a research proposal is an iterative process, so expect to work on several drafts before finalizing it. Allow time to prepare multiple drafts and seek feedback along the way. Your potential supervisor is the best person to contact, so make sure you reach out to one as soon as possible. Where applicable, this may also be an appropriate time to seek a connection with an industry partner or external organization that could collaborate on your research and provide input on your proposal.
Your draft research proposal should include the following:
- Student name
- Dissertation/thesis title
- Summary of project (maximum 100 words)
- Rationale—brief review of relevant research in the field
- Statement of the principal focus of intended research
- Significance of the study
- Intended methodology and project feasibility
- Details of an industry partner or external organisation’s involvement in project (where applicable)
- Anticipated project costs (if required by your enrolling school or research centre)
- Any requirements for specialist equipment or resources.
Your proposal should be no longer than 2–3 pages.
How to find a research supervisor
Schools or Departments
Explore the researchers working in our schools or departments. If you need help finding a suitable supervisor, contact the HDR Convenor to discuss who works in your area of interest.
Research Centres and Institutes
Our experts work in research centres developing new knowledge across a range of specialist areas including medicine and healthcare, emerging technologies, social innovations, culture, learning and the arts, the environment, and governance and policy development.
Many of these Centres and Institute have research projects with a lead supervisor. You apply directly to that supervisor by providing an expression of interest to study that project.
Search for an expert
Griffith Experts is a searchable database of all our academics. You can browse by topics, projects, publications and other key terms to find academics aligned to your area of interest.
Advice from PhD candidates and supervisors
Current PhD candidates and supervisors provide some advice for choosing a supervisor for your PhD or research degree at Griffith University.
