The Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship offered by UNSW Sydney through the Trustworthy Systems (TS) Group in the School of Computer Science and Engineering. The scholarship supports research on the development of secure, reliable, mathematically verified, and trustworthy artificial intelligence and computing systems. Successful candidates receive a living stipend at the Australian Government RTP rate, a Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) for eligible international students, and, for outstanding applicants, a Trustworthy Systems top-up scholarship that can increase total tax-free funding to AUD 37,684 per year.
About the Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship
The Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship is hosted by the Trustworthy Systems (TS) Group, one of the world’s leading research groups in trustworthy computing. The group is internationally recognised for developing seL4, the world’s first operating system kernel with a formal mathematical proof of correctness. Researchers work on technologies that make artificial intelligence and computing systems secure, safe, reliable, and verifiable.
The scholarship supports research aligned with the Trustworthy Systems group’s key priorities. These areas include:
- Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
- Operating Systems
- Formal Methods
- Software Verification
- Programming Languages
- Secure Embedded Systems
- Mixed-Criticality Systems
- Microkernel Technology
- Compiler Verification
- Timing-Channel Security
- High-Assurance Software Engineering
Students work with internationally recognised researchers on projects that combine theoretical computer science with practical system implementation. They develop computing systems that are secure, reliable, and mathematically verified for correctness. As a result, the research supports safety-critical applications in defence, aerospace, autonomous systems, medical devices, industrial control systems, and other high-security environments.
Why Choose This Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship?
This scholarship provides the opportunity to conduct internationally recognised research in trustworthy computing and artificial intelligence while studying at one of Australia’s leading research universities.
You benefit from:
- Full financial support throughout your PhD
- Australian Government RTP living stipend
- Tuition Fee Scholarship for eligible international students
- Trustworthy Systems top-up scholarship for outstanding candidates
- Supervision by internationally recognised researchers
- Access to world-leading research on seL4 and formal verification
- Opportunities to collaborate with government and industry
- Professional development and advanced research training
- Excellent career opportunities in academia, cybersecurity, AI, and software engineering
Graduates pursue careers in:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Operating Systems
- Software Verification
- Defence Technology
- Embedded Systems
- Research and Development
- Academia
Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Australia
- Host University: UNSW Sydney
- School: School of Computer Science and Engineering
- Research Group: Trustworthy Systems (TS)
- Scholarship Name: Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship
- Study Level: PhD
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded Higher Degree Research Scholarship
- Research Areas: Trustworthy AI, Operating Systems, Formal Methods, Software Verification, Programming Languages, Secure Systems
- Study Mode: Full-Time
- Scholarship Duration: Up to 3.5 years
- Trustworthy Systems Top-Up: 37,684
- International Tuition Support: Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) for eligible international students
- Eligible Applicants: Domestic and International Students
- Application Mode: Contact the relevant Trustworthy Systems academic before submitting a UNSW HDR application
- Selection Basis: Academic excellence, research background, and alignment with Trustworthy Systems research priorities
Scholarship Benefits
The Trustworthy AI PhD Scholarship provides:
- Australian Government RTP living stipend
- Total funding of up to AUD 37,684 for outstanding candidates
- Tuition Fee Scholarship for eligible international students
- Access to world-class research laboratories and infrastructure
- Supervision by internationally recognised experts
- Opportunities for collaboration with government and industry
- Professional development and international research networking
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Meet the admission requirements for a PhD at UNSW Sydney
- Hold an honours degree or an equivalent master’s qualification in a relevant discipline
- Demonstrate excellent academic achievement and strong research potential
- Meet UNSW English language requirements where applicable
- Demonstrate research interests that closely align with the Trustworthy Systems research programme
Applicants with backgrounds in the following disciplines are encouraged to apply:
- Computer Science
- Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial Intelligence
- Programming Languages
- Operating Systems
- Mathematics
- Formal Methods
- Related disciplines
For PhD applicants, the group expects a strong background in operating systems or formal methods, depending on the proposed research area. Applicants possessing expertise in both areas are particularly competitive.
Required Documents
Applicants typically need to prepare:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Research experience summary
- Proof of English language proficiency (if required)
- Academic referee reports
- Any additional documents requested by the proposed supervisor or the Graduate Research School
Applicants should initially send their CV and academic transcripts to the relevant Trustworthy Systems academic, explaining how their background matches the group’s research.
Application Process & Timeline
Follow these steps:
- Review the Trustworthy Systems research areas and identify a suitable topic.
- Contact the relevant Trustworthy Systems academic with your CV and academic transcripts.
- Explain how your academic background aligns with the group’s research.
- Discuss your proposed research topic with the supervisor.
- If encouraged, submit a formal Higher Degree Research application to UNSW.
- Apply for the relevant UNSW HDR scholarship round.
- If selected, accept the scholarship and commence your PhD research.
The Trustworthy Systems group advises applicants to contact a supervisor before submitting a formal HDR application.
