Study in Australia with the exciting opportunity of the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, now open for applications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarship, its benefits, and a detailed guide to the application process.
The 2025-2026 Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is a fully funded award for international students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees. It offers a maximum annual stipend of $50,291, covers tuition fees through a fee offset, and provides allowances to help with additional costs associated with higher research degrees.
Managed by participating universities on behalf of the Department of Education and Training, the RTP replaced the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) as of January 1, 2017. The program allocates block grants annually to higher education providers to support both domestic and international students enrolled in Research Doctorate and Research Master’s degrees, also known as higher degrees by research (HDRs).
Applications for RTP scholarships must be submitted directly to the universities involved, each of which has its own application and selection procedures. Prospective applicants should contact their chosen institution for specific application details.
The RTP aims to provide flexible funding that supports postgraduate research training for both domestic and international students at Australian universities. It also strives to equip graduates with skills for careers in academia and various sectors of the workforce.
The program encourages collaboration between universities, industry, and other research stakeholders. More information about starting a postgraduate research degree and available courses can be found on the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website. Additional support resources are available on the Study Assist website, which also offers answers to frequently asked questions for students.
Scholarship Overview
Study Levels: Master’s and PhD
Institutions: Participating Universities
Location: Australia
Focus Areas: Research Master’s or Doctoral degrees offered by participating Australian universities.
Duration: RTP scholarships cover up to two years for research master’s programs and between three to four years (at the discretion of the higher education provider) for research doctorate degrees.
Application Deadline: Varies annually between April and October. Each higher education provider (HEP) manages its own application and selection process. Prospective applicants should contact the postgraduate research office of their chosen HEP directly for application details. A list of eligible HEPs can be found in Tables A and B of HESA.
Scholarship Benefits
The Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship offers recipients the following support:
- A maximum RTP stipend of $50,291 to help cover living expenses during the course of their higher research degree.
- An RTP fee offset that covers the full tuition fees for the higher degree by research (HDR), which eliminates the need for the student to pay these fees. Note that this is not part of the stipend.
- RTP allowances to help with additional expenses related to the HDR, such as relocation costs, thesis printing and academic publication fees, and health insurance for both recipients and their dependents.
Eligibility Requirements for the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship
Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify for the RTP Scholarship:
Language Requirement: English
Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
Must be enrolled in a recognized higher degree by research program.
Fundamental eligibility criteria for the RTP are outlined in Section 1.5 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research).
How to Apply for the Australian Government Research Training Program:
To apply for the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, follow these steps:
- Application and selection are managed by the higher education providers (HEPs). Prospective applicants should contact the postgraduate research office of their chosen HEP directly to inquire about the application procedure. A list of eligible HEPs can be found in Tables A and B of HESA.
- Application deadlines vary by university, generally falling between April and October each year.
- It is essential to review the Frequently Asked Questions and visit both the official website of the university you plan to apply to and the scholarship’s official website (link provided below) for comprehensive application details.
Website
To know more about Australian Government Research Training Program, please visit the official scholarship website: