We value our partnerships with universities and research organisations around the world. They increase the quality, output and impact of our research.
Supporting international collaboration is a strategic priority for the University of Melbourne. We work with international organisations whose research interests and values align with our own and who share our commitment to high-quality joint research and research training activities. This drives us both to push boundaries together as we discover new knowledge that benefits society at a global level.
How do research partnerships create impact?
International research partnerships make a difference to the lives of people around the world. They create knowledge that leads to better, healthier and more sustainable societies. Recent partnership discoveries include:
- using technology to boost confidence in public transport during the pandemic. The threat of catching COVID-19 has driven a shift from public transport to cars. But connective technology offers a new way to keep people moving in a sustainable way.
- understanding why the rare silk of the Australian basket-web spider is so strong. These new insights could help to produce artificial spider silks. Artificial silks have already shown strong potential for textile and medical applications.
Message from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and International Research)
The University of Melbourne partners internationally on research that addresses global challenges. These include social, economic, health, and environmental challenges. Our partnerships enhance our collective research and research training opportunities, and instil a truly global perspective into research. As partners, we benefit from each other’s complementary expertise. This enables us to undertake joint research programs with high impact. Professor Justin Zobel, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and International Research)
Why partner with us?
Engage in genuine collaboration
Collaboration between institutions and researchers is fundamental to success. We commit to long-term partnerships that are based on trust, openness and shared goals. And we will work with you to ensure the partnership benefits both parties.
Work with high-quality researchers
The University’s research covers a broad range of research fields. This means that you can access deep expertise across all disciplines. Use our Find an Expert tool to search for the best researcher for your proposed project.
The University of Melbourne attracts top PhD candidates from all over the world. By working with us, you will benefit from high calibre graduate researchers working on joint research projects.
Use our research infrastructure
As a research partner, you’ll have access to our technology and infrastructure, including bespoke platforms. When based in Melbourne, your researchers can work at purpose-built research precincts. These innovation hubs bring together the very best minds, technology and resources. Researchers work side-by-side with industry partners, experts and entrepreneurs to create solutions.
Build on our experience
The University was founded in 1853. Since then, we’ve made a big contribution to life in Australia and globally. We’ve built strong capabilities in research, teaching and community engagement. And we’ve formed close links with other universities and research organisations.
We are proud of our track record for intellectual rigour and robust research methods. We’re a highly ranked University with a strong reputation. And we conduct ourselves with the highest commitment to ethics and integrity.
How can you partner with us?
There are two main ways that your organisation can collaborate.
Seed funding
Support the initial phase of research collaborations between our two institutions. We fund joint projects with the most potential for high-quality research output and real-world impact.
Joint PhD programs (IRTGs)
Develop a unique research training program – an International Research Training Group (IRTG). One that recruits outstanding PhD candidates to both institutions.
IRTGs are organised, cohort-based programs. Graduate researchers enrol at both the University of Melbourne and the partner university. They are supervised by academics from Melbourne as well as your institution. Joint PhD candidates will spend at least 12 months at each institution.
We establish joint PhD programs, or IRTGs, in one of two ways:
- Researchers from each institution have an existing relationship and shared research objectives. Together they want to grow their collaboration and apply to the IRTG scheme.
- Your institution wants to support broad collaboration with the University of Melbourne. Your institution approaches us and then we negotiate a competitive call for joint research proposals.
IRTGs generate joint projects, research collaboration and co-authored publications. These outcomes help PhD candidates to establish international connections and strengthen research profiles. Learn more about the fully funded joint PhD opportunities currently available to candidates at our IRTGs.
International Research Training Groups (IRTGs)
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Bayreuth-Melbourne Joint PhD and Colloid/Polymer Network
Learn how we're working with the University of Bayreuth in polymer and exciton research.
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MEL-BER Network
The MEL - BER Network gives graduate researchers the opportunity to work on meaningful global health research projects under the supervision of renowned researchers.
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Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate School in Decision Neuroscience
Discover research opportunities in Decision Neuroscience in The Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate School.
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Bonn and Melbourne Research and Graduate School in Immunology
Learn about the joint PhD program in immunology at the Universities of Bonn and Melbourne.
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The Cookson Scholars
Browse research opportunities offered by the The Cookson Scholars (UoM x the University of Manchester).
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Melbourne-CNRS Network (MCN)
Partake in impactful research with France’s leading scientific research organisation.
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Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA)
Receive joint recognition from the University of Melbourne and one of India’s elite research universities through the MIPA joint PhD program.
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Jerusalem - Melbourne Joint PhD
Experience the best of Israeli and Australian research with the Jerusalem - Melbourne Joint PhD.
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Jülich-University of Melbourne Postgraduate Academy
Undertake collaborative research with Melbourne and one of Europe's largest research centres.
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KU Leuven - Melbourne Joint PhD
Receive a jointly awarded PhD from Melbourne and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, in Leuven, Belgium.
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The Priestley Scholars
Browse collaborative research projects with experts from the University of Birmingham and Melbourne.
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Melbourne - Potsdam Minor Cosmopolitanisms Joint PhD
Be immersed in an authentic cross-cultural, Germany x Melbourne, research experience, investigating cosmopolitanism.
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Melbourne-Potsdam PhD Program
Be immersed in an authentic cross-cultural, Germany x Melbourne, research experience with two top research universities.
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The RWTH Aachen - Melbourne Joint PhD Group
Join an energy-focused research collaboration between Australia and Germany.
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Shanghai - Melbourne Research Training Group
Learn about the cross-cultural and collaborative research opportunities between UoM and SJTU.
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Toronto-Melbourne Research Training Group
Participate in collaborative research with two of the world’s leading universities, Melbourne and the Canada-based University of Toronto.
Support your research projects
Regardless of which organisation you’re from, there are avenues for you to fund your collaborative research with our researchers. We can help identify potential funding opportunities to support international research collaborations. This includes funding opportunities within Australia and internationally.
Partnership updates
Keep up to date with the latest news from our international research partners.
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New Melbourne, Manchester and Toronto alliance
Student exchanges, joint research and mutual bids to industry and funders, will be part of a new post-COVID alliance between the Universities of Melbourne, Manchester and Toronto.
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Building our research partnerships with Japan
The University of Melbourne is growing its relationship with Japan, another global leader in research and innovation.
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New global research alliance between Melbourne and Toronto
A partnership between the University's of Melbourne and Toronto offers new opportunities for collaboration in areas of common scholarly interest.
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Berlin University Alliance and University of Melbourne offer joint doctoral degrees
An agreement between the Berlin University Alliance and the University of Melbourne will increase PhD opportunities for graduate researchers.
Keep reading
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International PhD opportunities
Discover the fully funded Joint PhD opportunities that are currently available with universities and research institutions around the world.
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Facilities and resources
Discover the University’s facilities and resources – with rare collections, archives, digital expertise, technology, museums and galleries.
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International engagement and study
International links at the University extend beyond research partnerships. Learn more about international visits, engagement, study and exchange opportunities.
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Strategic Partnerships
Co-design a bespoke, impact-driven partnership with the University of Melbourne.