Scholarship Name: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships
Funding Body: Australian Government – Department of Education
Level of Study: Higher Degree by Research (HDR) — Master’s by Research and PhD
Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international students
Host Institutions: Australian universities receiving RTP block grants
Value: Tuition fee offset + annual living stipend + allowances
Duration: 2 years for Master’s by Research; up to 4 years for full‑time PhD (max. 8 for part‑time)
Stipend Rates (2025): Base ~AUD 33,511; Max ~AUD 52,352—indexed annually.
1. Overview
The Research Training Program (RTP) is Australia’s flagship scheme for postgraduate research training, funded by the federal government but administered by universities. It replaced the Postgraduate Research Award (PRA) and International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) in 2017 and continues to support thousands of research students each year.
RTP scholarships include:
- Stipend (living allowance)
- Tuition fee waiver (fee offset)
- Ancillary allowances, such as relocation, thesis, or research travel
Eligible students are automatically considered when applying to research degree programs at participating universities. There is no centralized application, but each university has its own internal RTP selection process.
2. Objectives of the RTP
The key goals of the RTP are to:
- Fund domestic and international students pursuing HDR degrees
- Build Australia’s research capacity and human capital
- Promote collaboration between universities, industry, and research partners
- Ensure Australia remains competitive globally in graduate training and innovation.
3. Eligible Fields & Institutions
RTP scholarships cover all fields of research—natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, health, and mathematics—and are tenable at more than 40 accredited Australian universities, including:
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- University of Western Australia (UWA)
- University of Adelaide
- Federation University
- Australian National University (ANU)
- Curtin University, among others.
4. What the RTP Scholarship Covers
A. Stipend (Living Allowance)
- Paid tax‑free, fortnightly
- Base rate ~AUD 33,511 per year; maximum rate up to AUD 52,352, adjusted annually.
B. Tuition Fee Offset
- Covers full tuition fees, including Overseas Student Health Cover (for international students)
- Duration: Up to 4 years for PhD, 2 years for Master’s by Research (with extensions short of institutional limits).6333333
C. Additional Allowances
Many universities supplement the RTP award with:
- Relocation allowance (e.g. AUD 1,500)
- Thesis or research completion grants
- Conference/travel grants
- Industry internship credit weighting (if relevant).
5. Eligibility Criteria
- Be domestic or international candidates with an offer for a full-time HDR degree at an eligible university
- Meet institution-specific academic entry requirements—typically first-class honours (or equivalent) for research master’s, and a relevant master’s or honours for PhD
- Not have completed significantly more time in the HDR program (e.g. more than 20 months)
6. Key Deadlines & Timing (Australian Institutions)
While each university sets its own schedule, typical timelines are:
| University | Intake | Deadline for International RTP | Notification | Intake Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sydney | RP1 & RP2 2026 | 12 Sep 2025 | Nov–Dec 2025 | Feb / July 2026 |
| University of Sydney RP3 & RP4 | 19 Dec 2025 | Feb–Mar 2026 | ||
| University of Adelaide | Semester 1 2026 | 30 Oct 2025 | Late 2025 | |
| Federation University | Semester 1 2026 | 1 Sep – 31 Oct 2025 (domestic only) | ||
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | Int’l RTP round | 1 Jul – 31 Aug 2025 | 20 Oct 2025 |
Applicants should confirm specific dates via each university’s Graduate Research School website.
7. Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify a Supervisor & Program
- Research topics and faculty areas aligned with your research.
- Contact a prospective supervisor to obtain their endorsement.
Step 2: Submit HDR Admission Application
- Apply through the university’s graduate admissions portal.
- Indicate interest in RTP scholarship automatically or via checkbox.
Step 3: Prepare Scholarship Materials
Materials often include:
- Common CV (academic focus)
- Research proposal or publication samples
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of reference
- Evidence of relevant research experience, if any.
Step 4: Internal Assessment & Ranking
- Universities assess applications, rank candidates, and nominate for RTP funding pools.
- Strong performance in academic record, research potential, and fit influences selection.
Step 5: Notification & Offer Acceptance
- Successful applicants receive formal scholarship offers, including stipend and tuition details.
- Formal acceptance may involve signing an award contract.
8. Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on:
Academic Merit:
- Transcripts, honours classification, GPA
- Research achievements, publications, awards
Research Potential:
- Clarity and feasibility of research proposal
- Fit between candidate and research environment
Leadership, Impact & Alignment:
- Past achievements indicating leadership or project success
- Potential to contribute to scholarly or practical outcomes
9. Institutional Examples
University of Sydney RTP & Equivalent Scholarships
- International stipend: AUD 41,753/year (2025 rate)
- Includes relocation and thesis allowances
- Must have supervisor endorsement and be offered admission by deadlines (RP1 & RP2 by 12 Sept 2025; RP3 & RP4 by 19 Dec 2025).
Monash University RTP Scholarships
- Up to AUD 33,000/year stipend, plus relocation allowance of AUD 1,500
- Covers full fee offset
- Rolling deadlines: Round 1 (1 Sept–31 Mar 2026), Round 3 (1 Apr–31 Aug 2026) for international applicants
University of Western Australia RTP International Round
- Annual stipend around AUD 37,000/year
- Full tuition fee waiver, plus possible top-up allowances
- Applications open 1 July 2025, close 31 August 2025; offers from 20 October 2025
University of Adelaide RTP Scholarships
- Value: AUD 36,500/year for up to 3.5 years
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Applications open 1 Aug, close 30 Oct 2025 for research start in PhD or MPhil
10. Additional Insights & Applicant Feedback (From Reddit)
- At universities like Sydney, scholarship outcomes are often communicated in March for RP3/RP4 rounds; delays are common due to high application load.
- Applicants frequently receive admission offers first and scholarship decisions later, so plan accordingly.
- If status is unclear (“forwarded to faculty”), follow up via email to the department or scholarship contact.
11. Pros and Cons
| Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Full tuition and living stipend | Highly competitive; variable stipend rates depending on university |
| Flexible research areas and universities | Must secure supervisor support early |
| Eligibility for global students | Some universities may limit stipend duration |
| Possible top-up allowances and industry internships | No central application—must apply separately to each institution |
| Support for PhD and Master’s by Research | Stipend range may vary (e.g. Monash ~33K vs Sydney ~41K) |
12. Tips for a Competitive Application
- Begin contacting supervisors 6+ months before application deadline.
- Develop a concise and clear research proposal highlighting originality and feasibility.
- Provide evidence of prior research, publications, or leadership in academic settings.
- Ensure referees understand your research plan and capacity to succeed.
- Apply to multiple institutions to increase chances of acceptance and scholarship offer.
- Monitor deadlines carefully; missing internal deadlines at universities means ineligibility.
13. Sample Scholar Profile
Name: Dr. Anjali Sharma (India)
Institution: University of Sydney
Program: PhD in Public Health
Funding: Sydney RTP/Stipend Scholarship (AUD 41,753/year, plus fee waiver and relocation)
Research: Evaluating community-based interventions to reduce maternal mortality in rural India
Outcome: Published in The Lancet, now leads NGO programs back home
Reflection: RTP funding enabled full focus on research and access to world-leading scholars and training in methodologies
14. FAQs
Q: Can I apply to multiple institutions for RTP?
A: Yes, as long as you meet deadlines and entry requirements at each university.
Q: Do I need a supervisor before applying?
A: Yes, most institutions require evidence of supervisor support with your application.
Q: Can I hold another scholarship simultaneously?
A: No, you cannot hold RTP along with other government-funded graduate research scholarships.
Q: How long does stipend last if I’m part-time?
A: Up to 8 years; depends on university policy and candidate circumstances.
Q: Is there an interview component?
A: Rare—selection is typically based on written materials and internal rankings.
15. Final Thoughts
Australia’s Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships are comprehensive and prestigious awards that empower emerging researchers—regardless of nationality—to conduct doctoral or research master’s studies in a globally competitive environment. With generous living stipends, full fee waivers, and support for fieldwork and relocation, recipients can dedicate themselves entirely to intellectual discovery.
Successful selection hinges on strong supervisor endorsement, academic excellence, and research clarity. If you’re preparing to apply for RTP in 2026, start early, craft a compelling proposal, and consider multiple university pathways to maximise your chances.
