Research Training Program (RTP)
Australian Government block-grant program providing fee offsets and living stipends to domestic and international higher degree by research (doctoral and master's by research) students at Australian universities.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s, PhD, Research
Destination
Australia
Funding
Two components: (1) RTP Fee Offset — covers domestic or international tuition fees (varies by university); (2) RTP Stipend — tax-exempt living allowance (2027: base $35,550/year, maximum $55,537/year nationally; university-set rate, e.g. $44,293/year at University of Sydney). Duration: 3.5 years for doctoral, 2 years for master's by research (full-time equivalent).
Eligible applicants
Domestic and international students enrolled (or enrolling) in a doctoral or master's by research HDR at an Australian university
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Research Training Program (RTP) is offered by Australian Government Department of Education for Master’s, PhD, Research study in Australia. Details were checked against the provider’s official page on October 11, 2026.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- University admissionMust be enrolled in a higher degree by research (HDR) at an eligible Australian university — most applications are joint admission+scholarship applications
- Research proposalRequired
- Academic transcripts and degreesRequired
- English proficiency certificate (international applicants)Required
- CV/ResumeRequired
What this scholarship covers
Full tuition fee offset
Included
Annual living stipend (tax-exempt)
Included
Two components: (1) RTP Fee Offset — covers domestic or international tuition fees (varies by university); (2) RTP Stipend — tax-exempt living allowance (2027: base $35,550/year, maximum $55,537/year nationally; university-set rate, e.g. $44,293/year at University of Sydney). Duration: 3.5 years for doctoral, 2 years for master's by research (full-time equivalent). Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 11, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
Government scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 11, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: Domestic and international.
- International eligibility
- Open to international applicants.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordCompetitive
- Competitive academic record; selection criteria set by each university; must be enrolled in an accredited higher degree by research (doctoral or master's by research) at an eligible Australian provider
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- Australia
- Study format
- Primarily for full-time HDR students; part-time availability depends on the institution
Official eligibility summary
Open to: Domestic and international students enrolled (or enrolling) in a doctoral or master's by research HDR at an Australian university. Australian Government Department of Education also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
Applicant profile
- Domestic and international students enrolled (or enrolling) in a doctoral or master's by research HDR at an Australian university
Study route
- Master’s, PhD, Research study in Australia
Current-cycle criteria
- Open to: Domestic and international students enrolled (or enrolling) in a doctoral or master's by research HDR at an Australian university. Australian Government Department of Education also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Supervisor support letter (for doctoral applicants)
How to apply
- 1
Identify a target Australian university and supervisor in your research field
- 2
Apply for HDR admission and RTP scholarship simultaneously through the university's graduate research portal
- 3
Meet the university's internal deadlines (varies by institution and research period)
Application timeline
Application cycle
Annual; deadlines set per-university and per-research period. Apply through each Australian university's graduate research scholarship portal.
Confirm the current dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Australian Government Department of Education
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 11, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
No exact deadline is listed here. Check the official provider page for the next application cycle.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.