Applications are now open for the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship at Monash University Malaysia. This fully funded scholarship supports outstanding students who want to pursue a research masters or PhD degree. It covers full tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend of MYR 2,950. International students from all nationalities can apply. There is no separate application fee for the scholarship. Applications are accepted in four rounds throughout the year, with the next deadlines in 2026. For more BS,MS, Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
What Is the Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship (GRES)?
The Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship, commonly called GRES, is one of the most competitive and rewarding scholarships offered by Monash University Malaysia (also known as Monash Malaysia or MUM) for graduate research students.
This is not some token discount or partial bursary. We are talking about a full tuition fee waiver plus a monthly stipend. That combination covering both your fees and your living costs is the kind of support that actually makes graduate research a realistic option, not just a dream.
The scholarship is specifically designed for students pursuing graduate research degrees, which means if you are thinking about a Research Master’s degree or a Doctoral (PhD) degree at Monash Malaysia, this is something you need to know about.
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What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Let us be specific, because vague promises help nobody.
Full Tuition Fee Waiver
- Your entire tuition fee for the duration of the scholarship is covered. You do not pay a single ringgit in tuition. That alone can save you tens of thousands of Malaysian ringgit over the course of your degree.
Monthly Stipend
- On top of the tuition waiver, you receive a monthly living stipend of MYR 2,950 (as of 2026). This is meant to cover your day-to-day living expenses while you focus on your research.
How Long Does the Scholarship Last?
The duration depends on the type of degree you are enrolled in:
- Research Master’s Degree: Two years full-time equivalent from the date your course commences.
- Doctoral Degree (PhD): Three years and six months full-time equivalent, starting from the date of course commencement running until the scholarship end date or upon thesis submission, whichever comes first.
That “whichever is earlier” clause for doctoral students is worth noting. If you submit your thesis before the three-and-a-half-year mark, the scholarship ends at submission. So it rewards efficiency, but it also means you should plan your timeline carefully.
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Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Requirements)
This is where things get serious. GRES is a competitive award, and the eligibility bar is set high on purpose. Here is what Monash Malaysia requires:
Academic Qualification
You must hold a minimum academic qualification of First Class Honours (H1) or its recognised equivalence (H1E) as accepted by Monash Malaysia. If your degree classification system uses GPA or percentage bands, you will need to confirm whether your result maps to this standard.
Admission Requirements
You must meet the minimum admission requirements for the relevant graduate research degree. This includes both:
- Academic requirements (your undergraduate results, any prior research experience)
- English language proficiency requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, depending on your background)
You also need to either be already enrolled at Monash University Malaysia or have received an offer to study there.
Research Record
The scholarship is not awarded purely on grades. Your research output and/or prior research experience also count. This means publications, conference presentations, research projects, or even a strong research proposal can work in your favour. If you have been involved in any undergraduate research or have co-authored anything, make sure it is documented.
No Double Degree at the Same Level
You cannot apply for this scholarship if you have already completed a graduate research degree at the same course level. For example, if you already hold a PhD and want to do another PhD, you are not eligible. Similarly, if you have a research master’s and are applying for another research master’s, you would not qualify.
External Sponsorship Rules
If you are already receiving financial support from an external sponsor, a government scholarship, a company sponsorship, or any other source, you must get prior approval from the Monash Malaysia Scholarship Office before applying for GRES. The office will check that there are no contradictory conditions between GRES and your external sponsor. Both Monash Malaysia and your sponsor need to give consent.
Do not skip this step. Getting this wrong could result in your scholarship being cancelled or creating contractual problems with your sponsor.
Competitive Nature
Worth saying plainly: scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee you a scholarship. It makes you eligible to compete for one. The award ultimately depends on how your application compares to other candidates in that round.
Who Is the Scholarship Available To?
GRES at Monash Malaysia is open to two groups of students:
New Students
If you are a new graduate research student enrolling at Monash Malaysia, you can apply for GRES as part of your initial application process. There is no separate scholarship application, when you apply for your preferred degree programme, you simply select your scholarship type during the application.
To get started, click on your preferred course on the Monash Malaysia website, where you will find full details on how to apply, including step-by-step instructions.
Current Students
If you are already a graduate research student at Monash Malaysia and are in your first year of enrolment, you may still be eligible to apply. However, a few important points here:
- You can only apply for GRES once during your candidature.
- You must apply within your first year of candidature, after that, the window closes.
- You apply using a specific Google Form.
- Talk to your supervisor before applying. This is not just a recommendation, it is listed as a requirement, and your supervisor’s input can also strengthen your application.
Application Deadlines ( Four Rounds Per Year):
Monash Malaysia runs four scholarship application rounds per year. Your HDR (Higher Degree by Research) Offer Letter must be received by the university by each deadline for your application to be considered in that round.
Here are the 2026 deadlines:
- Round 1: 13 February 2026
- Round 2: 30 April 2026
- Round 3: 31 July 2026
- Round 4: 1 October 2026
One more thing to be aware of: you will be contacted by the schools for an interview. GRES is not just a paper-based application. Prepare to articulate your research interests, your past experience, and why your work matters. Treat the interview seriously, it is a real part of the selection process.
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