Federation University Bridging The Distance PhD Scholarship 2026

Federation University and WestVic Academy of Sport partner to present a scholarship opportunity in Sport Science to bridge the distance: using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes.

Title

• Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes

Industry partner and student host

• WestVic Academy of Sport

Description

• Overarching Aim of the PhD:Athletes from regional and rural Australia face significant barriers in accessing high-performance sport pathways, including limited access to coaching, sport science support, and elite competition environments. Advances in sport technology (e.g., wearable sensors, remote coaching platforms, performance analytics) offer an opportunity to overcome these geographic constraints.This PhD project will design, implement, and evaluate technology-enabled athlete development models to support regional athletes in achieving high-performance outcomes without the need for relocation.

Study 1

Systematic Review:

• Title: State of the art in technology-supported training and coaching models
• Aim: To synthesise existing evidence on: (i) The type of sport technology currently available to aid training and coaching (ii) Summarise, the pros and cons of each technology (iii) Highlight the gaps in the application of technology for remote training and coaching.

Study 2

• Title:  Evaluate the effectiveness of technology-enabled athlete development models in rural settings
• Aim: (i) What is the minimum viable technology stack required to support elite development? (ii) How does access to real-time feedback influence training adherence and skill acquisition? (iii) Can distributed data ecosystems improve talent identification in rural regions?

Study 3

• Title: Development of a sport technology ecosystem to enhance athlete development in the regions
• Aim: To produce an integrated sport technology ecosystem that enhances regional athlete development and success

• Table of Content
• About Federation University Australia
• Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship

This project is funded for 3 years, with the possibility of a 6-month extension upon application.

Stipend

• $50,000 per year, provided in fortnightly, tax free installments comprised of $40,000 as the base stipend, and a $10,000 top up from Federation University

Project Support

• $3,000 per year available to spend on the research project provided by the Research Training Program (RTP) allowance

Tuition Fees

• Up to $32,000 will be covered by the Research Training Program (RTP) fee-offset scholarship for domestic students, or by a tuition fee scholarship provided by the Graduate Research School for international students

Requirements for Bridging the distance: Using sport technology to enhance high-performance pathways for rural athletes PhD Scholarship Qualification

To be eligible for the project, you must: 

• be eligible for a PhD
• willing to undertake full-time study

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Please contact Professor Rob Aughey before submitting your application.
• When you're ready to apply, follow these instructions.

For more information, kindly visit Federation University scholarship webpage.