Scholarship 2026 applications are now open for the Gender, Technology and the Law PhD at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), offering $55,000 per year for 3.5 years to domestic students pursuing doctoral research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, governance, and gender justice. Formal applications must be submitted by 15 April 2026, and applicants are required to obtain Faculty pre-assessment approval before submitting a central application to the UTS Graduate Research School.
About the Opportunity
The Gender, Technology and the Law Doctoral Scholarship at UTS is a fully funded research opportunity designed to support innovative doctoral work examining how law can respond to rapid technological transformation, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), through an intersectional feminist framework.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in everyday decision-making systems. From employment screening tools and financial credit assessments to healthcare access, welfare systems, and digital platforms, AI shapes opportunities and outcomes across society. However, these systems are not neutral. Research has consistently shown that algorithmic systems can reproduce and amplify pre-existing social inequalities, particularly those affecting women and marginalized communities.
This Scholarship 2026 provides a unique opportunity to critically analyze how regulatory frameworks can move beyond reactive harm mitigation and instead proactively embed gender justice and intersectional equality into the governance of technology. With AI regulation still in its formative stages globally, there is a critical window to influence how future legal systems shape accountability, transparency, and fairness in automated decision-making.
The successful candidate will join the UTS Faculty of Law, contributing to cutting-edge research that aims to address structural bias, discriminatory digital infrastructures, and governance models capable of protecting human rights in technology-driven environments.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis; however, all formal applications must be submitted before the final deadline.
Benefits
The Scholarship 2026 offers significant financial and academic support, including:
•$55,000 per annum (tax-free stipend)
•Funding for 3.5 years
•Access to UTS’s research infrastructure and academic mentorship
•Integration into a leading Faculty of Law known for innovation and interdisciplinary research
•Opportunity to contribute to global conversations on AI regulation and gender equality
The scholarship is awarded subject to satisfactory academic progress throughout the doctoral program.
Beyond financial support, recipients benefit from working within Sydney’s dynamic academic and policy environment, positioned at the heart of Australia’s legal and digital innovation landscape.
Research / Focus Areas
Applicants must propose a doctoral research project within the broad field of gender, law, and technology. Suggested research directions include:
•Comparative multi-country studies on tech-facilitated gender-based violence and evolving legal responses.
•Examination of AI governance frameworks through an intersectional feminist lens.
•Analysis of algorithmic bias in employment, healthcare, and financial systems.
•Legal responses to representational harms such as non-consensual synthetic images and deepfakes.
•The adequacy of anti-discrimination laws in addressing automated decision-making harms.
•The regulation of online platforms and digital environments where gender-based violence occurs.
•The intersection of AI governance and women’s political participation.
These suggested themes are not exhaustive. Applicants are encouraged to design original research projects that align with their academic interests while remaining within the scope of gender, law, and technological governance.
Strong proposals will demonstrate theoretical rigor, practical relevance, and clear contribution to contemporary regulatory debates.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Scholarship 2026, applicants must:
•Be classified as domestic students (Australia only).
•Apply for and be accepted into the UTS PhD program in the Faculty of Law.
•Have completed:
•A Master by Research degree; or
•A Bachelor degree with First Class Honours; or
•An equivalent level of academic attainment as determined by UTS.
Equivalent attainment may include a combination of relevant professional experience, research publications, and demonstrated research capability.
Applicants must enroll as full-time students upon commencement unless approved for part-time study under acceptable circumstances.
Duration & Location
Duration: 3.5 years
Location: University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Study Mode: Full-time (part-time permitted only under approved conditions)
The UTS campus is located in Sydney’s creative and digital precinct, offering a stimulating research environment and access to interdisciplinary networks.
How to Apply
The application process requires two steps.
Step One: Faculty Pre-Assessment
Applicants must first submit a pre-assessment application to the UTS Faculty of Law. Required documents include:
•Academic transcripts
•CV (using UTS CV template)
•A 500-word outline of the proposed research topic
•Cover letter
•One-page statement detailing research experience and expertise
•Contact details for two referees
Documents must be emailed to: law.research@uts.edu.au
Step Two: Central Application
After receiving pre-assessment approval, applicants must submit a formal application to the UTS Graduate Research School and indicate their intention to apply for the Gender, Technology and the Law Doctoral Scholarship.
Deadline
Formal applications close on 15 April 2026.
Faculty pre-assessment approval must be obtained prior to this deadline.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the pre-assessment process early to ensure sufficient time for review and submission.
Final Note
The Scholarship 2026 at UTS presents a rare opportunity to influence the development of AI governance and legal accountability frameworks at a formative moment in global regulatory evolution. As artificial intelligence continues to transform social, economic, and political systems, doctoral research in gender and technology law can shape policies that promote fairness, dignity, and intersectional equality.
Candidates with strong academic backgrounds and a commitment to advancing justice in technology governance are encouraged to prepare their research proposals and initiate the pre-assessment process promptly.
For More Opportunities
For more global scholarships, fellowships, grants, internships, and research funding opportunities, click here to explore additional opportunities on Opportunities for Youth.
