The Australia Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship is a prestigious initiative aimed at supporting outstanding international students pursuing graduate research degrees in Australia. The Australian Government administers this fellowship, which offers applicants financial support for living expenses and research-related fees in addition to a sizeable stipend. The RTP Stipend Scholarship accelerates students’ academic and professional growth by providing access to cutting-edge research opportunities and exceptional mentorship. Its primary goal is to foster innovation and excellence, empowering the next generation of international scholars to address critical global challenges.
Summary
- Host: Australian Government
- Location: Australia
- Category: Postgraduate (Master’s by Research & PhD) Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Open to international and domestic students
- Worth/Reward: Covers tuition fees, provides a living stipend (varies by university, approx. AUD 29,000–AUD 50,000 per year), and includes additional research support funding
- Deadline: April 15
- Scholarship Alerts: To receive Scholarship Alerts on WhatsApp, Click HERE
Details of The Australia Government Research Training Program
Each year, the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training funds universities to award scholarships to domestic and international students in Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs. The Australian National University (ANU) conducts two central scholarship rounds annually, offering the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, the University Research Scholarship, and other centrally managed scholarships.
- Round 1 (Main Round)
- International Candidates: Application deadline – August 31 each year
- Domestic Candidates: Application deadline – October 31 each year
- Commencement: Scholarships awarded in Round 1 apply to programs starting between January and March of the following year.
- Current ANU students who have been enrolled for less than one year (full-time equivalent) can apply for the RTP Stipend Scholarship by submitting the “Request for a Current ANU Student to be considered for an HDR Scholarship” form. You can get more information on their website.
- Round 2 (Smaller Round)
- International & Domestic Candidates: Application deadline – April 15 each year
- Commencement: Scholarships must be taken up by August 31 of the same year.
When applying for admission into an HDR program at ANU, candidates can indicate their interest in being considered for the RTP Scholarship and other available funding options. No separate application form is needed except for current students, who must apply using the designated form.
Requirement of The Australia Government Research Training Program
To be a good fit for this program, the applicant must:
- Must be a postgraduate student admitted into an appropriate Australian university’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program (Master’s by Research or PhD).
- Must fulfill the academic entrance requirements for the selected HDR program, which may include having prior research experience or credentials.
- Open to both domestic and international students.
- No more than one research scholarship from the Australian Government may be awarded.
- Must be enrolled full-time or intend to enroll unless a specific circumstance permits part-time study.
- International candidates must fulfill the university’s English language competency standards.
- Must have access to the internet for the application and submission process.
Benefits of the Australia Government Research Training Program
- The stipend scholarship lasts for 3.5 years, with a possible extension.
- Students can receive up to a 6-month extension for internships longer than 60 days (Full-Time Equivalent) if they are not with a Higher Education Provider (HEP) or an international equivalent, subject to the maximum support duration.
- Eligible internships may qualify for up to a 3-month extension due to academic delays within the maximum support period.
- Research visits and internships with a HEP or an international equivalent do not qualify for extensions.
- Students relocating to Canberra for their research program receive travel and removal allowances.
- The scholarship includes a thesis allowance.
- International students with dependent children receive a dependent child allowance.
- Paid medical, maternity, and parental leave are available (refer to sections 97-110 of the Research Training Program Scholarships procedure).
How to Apply
- Check your eligibility to ensure you meet the academic and research requirements.
- Next, choose an Australian university that offers the RTP Stipend Scholarship.
- Then, gather all required documents, including your research proposal, academic transcripts, CV, reference letters, and proof of English proficiency.
- After that, submit your application according to the university’s RTP application process.
- Once submitted, wait for the assessment, as universities evaluate applications based on academic merit and research potential.
- If selected, carefully follow the university’s instructions to accept the scholarship.
- For more details, visit the official site.
Deadline
The application deadline for the Australia Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship varies by university, as each institution sets its timeline. Additionally, some universities offer multiple application rounds each year. However, typical deadlines for the RTP scholarship are:
- Round 1 (International Candidates): Closes around August 31 for commencement in the following year (January – March).
- Round 1 (Domestic Candidates): Closes around October 31 for commencement in the following year (January – March).
- Round 2 (International & Domestic Candidates): Closes around April 15, with commencement by August of the same year.
Since deadlines may differ, always check the specific university’s website for exact dates and application details.
