Flinders University, in collaboration with Bookbot.com and the National Industry PhD Program, is offering a unique 2025 enterprise PhD Scholarship opportunity.
This scholarship is tailored for an exceptional PhD student passionate about Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, and Educational Technology.
The chosen candidate will contribute to an innovative project aimed at enhancing children’s reading engagement and emotional well-being through AI-driven educational tools.
2025 Enterprise PhD Scholarship Overview
| Category | Details |
| Title | Enterprise PhD Scholarship: National Industry PhD in Psychology, AI, and EdTech |
| Host University | Flinders University |
| Partner Organization | Bookbot.com |
| College | College of Education, Psychology and Social Work |
| Opening Date | 1 June 2025 |
| Closing Date | 30 August 2025 |
| Scholarship Value | $40,000 per annum (indexed at 5% annually) |
| Duration | 3.5 years |
| Payment Term | Paid fortnightly |
| Study Level | Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) |
| Enrolment Status | Commencing Semester 2, 2025 |
| Eligible Applicants | Domestic (Australian/NZ citizens, Permanent Residents), some international |
About the 2025 Enterprise PhD Scholarship
The PhD project, titled “Human-Centred AI EdTech: Promoting Reading Engagement and Emotional Well-being in Children”, aligns with a broader research initiative aimed at improving literacy and mental health outcomes among youth. The candidate will work with data from over 5,000 users on the Bookbot platform, an AI-powered reading tool for children.
Key objectives include:
- Evaluating the relationship between reading difficulties, engagement, and emotional well-being.
- Validating new psychometric tools for measuring reading engagement and mental health indicators.
- Co-designing and testing AI agents to enhance user engagement through human-centred AI design.
The candidate will be based at Flinders University 4 days per week and supervised by:
- Dr. Nathan Caruana (Flinders University)
- Prof. Genevieve McArthur (Adjunct, ACU & Dyslexia SPELD Foundation)
- Mr. Adrian DeWitts (Bookbot.com Founder)
2025 Enterprise PhD Scholarship Benefits
- Tax-free stipend of approximately $40,000 per year (indexed annually)
- Full Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset Scholarship for eligible domestic students
- Tuition fee waiver for qualifying international applicants
- Access to hands-on research experience in AI and digital education tools
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible international applicant.
- Meet PhD admission requirements, including:
- Honours degree (Class 1 or 2A) or equivalent
- At least 6 months’ research component with 75 %+ (Distinction)
- Have an academic background in psychology, cognitive science, education, data science, or computer science
- Demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
- Be available for full-time enrolment at Flinders University from July–September 2025
Desirable Selection Criteria
- Previous research experience
- First-author publications in top-tier journals
- Involvement in competitive research grants or projects
How to Apply for the 2025 Enterprise PhD Scholarship
Step 1: Contact the Project Lead
Prospective applicants must first reach out to Dr. Nathan Caruana at nathan.caruana@flinders.edu.au with:
- Your CV
- A cover letter outlining your qualifications, research experience, and motivation
You may be invited to submit a full application.
Step 2: Apply for PhD Admission
If not already enrolled, you must also apply for PhD admission at Flinders University via their HDR portal: How to Apply for a Research Degree
Make sure your application references this specific scholarship.
Step 3: Submit Scholarship Application
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Final selection will be made on a rolling basis.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 1 June 2025
- Application Deadline: 30 August 2025
- Expected Start Date: 1 August 2025 (negotiable but no later than 1 September 2025)
For full details and updates, visit the Flinders University HDR Scholarship Opportunities page or contact the project supervisor directly.
FAQs
What is the Enterprise PhD Scholarship at Flinders University?
The Enterprise PhD Scholarship is a collaborative initiative between Flinders University and Bookbot.com, funded under the National Industry PhD Program.
It offers a PhD candidate the opportunity to work on a project titled “Human-Centred AI EdTech: Promoting Reading Engagement and Emotional Well-being in Children.” The candidate will engage in research that combines psychology, artificial intelligence, and educational technology to enhance children’s reading experiences and emotional health.
Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Applicants must:
- Be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible international student.
- Meet PhD admission requirements, including holding an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification with a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study, achieving Distinction (75%).
- Have a background in psychology, cognitive science, education, data science, or computer science (postgraduate studies in psychology are preferred).
- Demonstrate excellence in communication and teamwork.
- Be available to commence full-time PhD studies at Flinders University in Semester 2, 2025 (July 2025, and no later than 1st September).
What benefits does the scholarship provide?
The scholarship offers:
- A tax-free stipend of approximately $40,000 per annum (2025 rate, indexed at 5% annually) for 3.5 years.
- A Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents, or a tuition fee waiver for eligible international students.
- Opportunities to work closely with industry partners and gain practical experience in both academic and industry settings.
4. What is the National Industry PhD Program, and how does it relate to this scholarship?
The National Industry PhD Program is an Australian Government initiative designed to support PhD candidates undertaking industry-focused research projects. It aims to equip candidates with the knowledge and skills to translate university research into commercial outcomes. The program consists of two streams:
- Industry Linked PhD stream: For PhD candidates undertaking research projects co-designed by a university and an industry partner, with opportunities to be embedded in an industry setting.
- Industry Researcher PhD stream: For industry professionals supported by their employers to undertake PhD projects in partnership with a university while retaining their employment and salary benefits.
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