Our students bring great energy and enthusiasm, providing fresh ideas and perspectives to tackle the complex challenges faced in childhood cancer research today. As a student, you will be guided and mentored by a dynamic team of world class researchers who have strong collaborative links with research and clinical teams throughout the world. In addition to this you will have access to a comprehensive professional development program run by a dedicated team focussed on career development, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, professional support staff, access to a full range of laboratory services and opportunities for overseas travel to present at conferences and work with collaborators and the support of your peers through the Children’s Cancer Institute Student Council that runs activities throughout the year, including an annual student retreat.
Honours scholarship applications are now open
We offer two honours year scholarships of $5,000 tax-free annually. Selection is based on academic achievement throughout the undergraduate degree, interest in cancer research, personal qualities, as well as other evidence as may be deemed relevant to future success in the area of biomedical research. Scholarships are awarded for one year and are not deferrable.
The deadline for submission of the application form and referees reports is 30 November 2026. Forms should be sent to education@ccia.org.au.Undergraduate Research Scholarship applications are now open
Competitive scholarships of up to $1000 per week (determined pro-rata) will be awarded to outstanding undergraduate biomed/science/engineering students during their second or early third year of study to facilitate research experience at Children’s Cancer Institute.
Projects of 6-8 weeks duration may be undertaken during the summer break, OR during term time as a Work Integrated Learning/internship placement towards the requirements for a Bachelor degree.
To apply, applicants must have approached their potential supervisor and agreed on a research project area.
Available projects can be found HERE.
The deadline for submission of the application form and referees reports is 30 November 2026. Forms should be sent to education@ccia.org.au.How to become a student
- Browse the information and lists of student projects on our research group pages or in the booklet below.
- Identify an area of interest, contact a potential supervisor and arrange a suitable project. When you contact potential supervisors, please include a CV and your most recent academic transcript.
- Submit an admissions application to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Honours students must be accepted into an Honours program in an appropriate UNSW Faculty. PhD students should successfully fulfil the requirements for admissions through UNSW.
- Coordinate with your supervisor to obtain clearances from the appropriate Ethics Committees.
- Begin your research program.
Honours
The standard duration of enrolment for an Honours degree is one academic year, actual dates for the honours programs you may enrol in can vary, please consult the websites below for more detailed information.
When you undertake an Honours project at Children’s Cancer Institute you will be enrolled in a UNSW Honours program. Therefore, you need to meet the UNSW Honours entry criteria. For information regarding the three Honours Programs at UNSW that students may be enrolled in, please visit the following websites:
Bachelor of Science (Medicine) Honours Program (Faculty of Medicine and Health)
School of Biomedical Sciences Honors Program (Faculty of Medicine and Health)
School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) Honours Program (Faculty of Science)
Postgraduate studies
The majority of PhD students at the Institute are enrolled through the Faculty of Medicine, School of
clinical Health, Paediatrics, Course Code 1825. Associate Professor Michelle Henderson is the School’s Postgraduate Coordinator and is responsible for advising supervisors and Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates on all academic and administrative matters relating to their candidature.
The UNSW Graduate Research School is the central administrative and support unit for all higher degree research students and their supervisors at UNSW. The website below will direct you to information on admissions requirements and enrolment procedures to undertake postgraduate study at UNSW together with links to scholarship application forms for both local and international students. http://research.unsw.edu.au/units/graduate-research-school
Useful links for international students
We have created a compilation of available projects for the year ahead within a student booklet, please click below to learn more
CCIA Student Projects 2027
DownloadStudent scholarships
Postgraduate supplementary award
We offer a Top Up Scholarship for up to 4 years to students who have been awarded a competitive scholarship. The value of the scholarship is dependent on the base award of the individual’s stipend.
Josh McCarroll PhD Excellence Award
This competitive tax-free award, to a value of up to $10,000 AUD per annum, is offered to students demonstrating exceptionally high potential who have succeeded in attracting a primary competitive scholarship. The Josh McCarroll Memorial PhD Award is in addition to the top-up scholarship and is offered in partnership with the Kids Cancer Project.
Honours scholarship
We offer two honours year scholarships of $5,000 tax free annually. Selection is based on academic achievement throughout the undergraduate degree, interest in cancer research, personal qualities, as well as other evidence as may be deemed relevant to future success in the area of biomedical research. Scholarships are awarded for one year and are not deferrable. Applications for honours year scholarships will be open in October each year and close in November.
Undergraduate studentships
These scholarships are provided to outstanding undergraduate science students during the summer university break, or when undertaking work integrated learning projects at Children's Cancer Institute during term time. These scholarships are a great way for students to get involved in real-life cancer research.
Get in touch
If you are interested in exploring these further please get in touch via education@ccia.org.au. If you are interested in a particular area of research but do not find a project that appeals to you listed here, we encourage you to contact these teams directly to discuss a project to best suit both you and the area of research focus.
