The Office of Responsible Gambling is offering two PhD scholarships of up to $60,000 per year for 3 years per candidate, or top-up scholarships of $30,000 per year for 3 years per candidate.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $180,000
- Application opened: 29 November 2024
- Application closed: 28 February 2025, 11:59 pm
Program objective
We established PhD scholarships to support people involved in gambling research to achieve their proposed research goals and build their career in this important field.
You can apply for a PhD scholarship if you’ve completed your honours year or if you hold (or expect to hold) a master’s degree in the same discipline as your proposed research. You must meet all eligibility requirements for the PhD you intend to pursue or have confirmation of an enrolment offer.
Objectives
The Gambling Research Capacity Grants program aims to build capability and capacity for gambling research in Australia, and to improve the quality, diversity and impact of Australian gambling research.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Fund talented and committed researchers to build a career in gambling studies
- Encourage the development of gambling research skills within supportive academic environments
- Promote cross-disciplinary research opportunities
- Fund projects that bridge the gap between research, policy and practice to support research that impacts on gambling harm prevention and minimisation.
This program is funded and administered by Office of Responsible Gambling.
Eligibility
PhD scholarships (two available)
Up to $60,000 per year for three years per candidate, including $50,000 per year for stipend and up to $10,000 per year for research costs.
PhD scholarships
- Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia and be intending to undertake their PhD at an Australian university.
- Applicants must have completed their honours year or hold/expect to hold a master’s degree in the same discipline by the closing date of the program.
- The project must align with at least one of the program priority research themes (outlined below).
- Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for the PhD they intend to pursue or have confirmation of an enrolment offer.
- Applications must be supported by at least one academic staff member of the University who will act as their supervisor.
- Applicants must have a confirmed associate supervisor. The associate supervisor may hold a position in a different discipline or different institution to their supervisor.
- The primary supervisor is not required to have gambling expertise. In these instances, gambling expertise should be provided by an associate supervisor.
- Applicants who are in the early stages of undertaking a PhD may apply.
Who can apply
- Individuals
Who can’t apply
- Organisations
Types of projects funded under this grant
Priority research themes
Applications should address at least one of the following research themes from the Office’s Strategic Plan 2024-27:
- Understanding and tracking changes in gambling behaviour and attitudes across the population and in specific groups
- Understanding and monitoring emerging technologies and trends, and their impacts on people and communities in NSW
- Understanding issues affecting different groups and communities across NSW, particularly vulnerable populations, and how to respond to these issues.
There are multiple and diverse groups and communities affected by gambling, including but not limited to:
- Young people
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Aboriginal people
- People who are impacted by another person’s gambling (also known as affected others)
- People experiencing co-morbidities such as mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness, suicide and domestic violence
- People from professions at higher risk of gambling harm such as veterans, first-responders, fly-in fly-out workers and people working in the gambling industry.
Research that directly contributes to gambling harm prevention and minimisation in NSW will be prioritised. Collaborative partnerships and cross- disciplinary approaches will be viewed favourably.
Applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships with other organisations to enhance research outcomes, increase the likelihood of project success, or increase the potential for research findings to be implemented.
Specific partnerships do not need to be confirmed at the time of application, but any plans for collaboration should be outlined. Any perceived or actual conflicts of interest of applicants, supervisors or partnering organisations will need to be declared as part of the application.
What can’t you apply for
- Funding will not be provided for capital expenditure.
What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines and FAQs:
File
Gambling Research Capacity Grants - Funding Submission Guide (PDF 1.22MB)File
Gambling Research Capacity Grants - Frequently asked questions (PDF 44.08KB)
PhD scholarship applicants will be required to submit the following documents via the application portal:
- a covering letter outlining their motivation to conduct the proposed research, their relevant educational and research experience and how the scholarship will facilitate and enhance their research career development
- a research proposal, including key research questions, objectives (including how the research will advance the knowledge base and have an impact on policy and practice), theoretical context and relationship to other research, research scope, methodology, relevance to NSW, stakeholder engagement, deliverables and indicative timeframes
- a curriculum vitae including qualifications and completed research activities
- a statement of support from the proposed supervisor/s confirming their involvement and outlining their role and the support that they will provide for career development and research outcomes
- the curriculum vitae of the proposed supervisor/s providing evidence of their research expertise
- a statement from the head of the school (or equivalent) confirming that the details in the application are correct and that the host institution will provide the necessary oversight and support
- a declaration of any perceived or actual conflicts of interest and sources of other funding received, including any gambling industry funding received in the past, for the applicant, supervisor/s and for any partnering organisations
- a proposed budget, using the online form provided.
Extra information
Full program information is available in the Funding Submission Guide (PDF 1.22MB).
We have also put together a list of FAQs (PDF 44.08KB) should you need even more details.
You can find out more about the Office of Responsible Gambling and the Responsible Gambling Fund by visiting: https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/
Address the assessment criteria
Applications for the PhD scholarships that meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed against the assessment criteria detailed below. It is recommended that applications articulate how each of the criteria will be addressed.
The assessments will be undertaken by an independent panel. Assessors are required to identify any conflicts of interest and sign a conflict-of interest declaration.
Conflicts of interest will be handled in accordance with the Department’s Conflict of Interest policy.
Merit (20%)
The extent to which the applicant:
- possesses the necessary qualifications, skills and academic ability required for the proposed research
- demonstrates an interest and commitment to building their career in gambling studies.
The extent to which the proposed project:
- is relevant to at least one of the priority research themes outlined above
- is likely to impact policy and practice to address gambling harm
- involves collaboration or cross-disciplinary approaches
- includes plans to partner with external organisations, where appropriate.
Career development (20%)
The extent to which the application:
- addresses how the candidate or fellow will be supported by the supervisor/s and host organisation to develop their skills, knowledge, confidence, networks and overall academic career
- outlines an appropriate plan for how the applicant will be involved in communicating and disseminating the results of the research, including potential publications and conference presentations.
Viability (35%)
The extent to which the application:
- outlines a feasible research scope, methodology, deliverables and timeframes
- includes supervisor/s with appropriate knowledge, experience and skills to support learning and research outcomes
- will be managed by an organisation with a sound track record in undertaking similar research
- outlines an appropriate and feasible plan for stakeholder engagement relevant to the objectives of the research
- will result in future practical applications to benefit the people of NSW.
Budget (10%)
The extent to which the proposal:
- offers value for money and appropriate use of government funds is based on realistic estimated costs
- includes details of how any additional anticipated costs are covered by confirmed sources.
Applications that include funding co-contributions from academic institutions or other funding bodies will be considered favourably.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Funding decisions will be made by the Minister for Gaming and Racing, based on the assessment of the applications by an independent panel and advice from the RGF Trustees. Decisions made by the Minister are final and there is no right of appeal. The Minister records their decision in writing, including any reasons for the decision and any departure from the recommendation of the RGF Trust.
After the assessment process is completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.
Applicants who are not successful may apply for feedback and may update their applications and reapply in a future round.
Information about the grants awarded will be published on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder no later than 45 calendar days after the grant agreement takes effect.
Funding conditions
If you are approved for funding you will be required to:
- sign a Program Agreement including standard terms and conditions that covers your obligations
- comply with reporting requirements outlined in the program agreement
- demonstrate satisfactory progress is being made via six-monthly progress reports
- publicise the funding from the Office of Responsible Gambling in relevant publications, media or other material.
Information provided in grant applications is confidential and will not be shared outside of the assessment process.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 9995 0992
Email: info@responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au
Postal Address: GPO Box 7060, Sydney NSW 2001