The Australia Research Training Program (RTP) is a government-funded scholarship program that provides financial support for domestic and international students to undertake a research higher degree in Australia. The program covers tuition fees and provides a living allowance to support students while they complete their research. The RTP aims to support the development of research skills and knowledge, and to encourage research in priority areas. The program is administered by the Australian government’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Australian Government
Masters/PhD Degree
Deadline: varies, April-Oct (annual)
Study in: Australia
Course starts 2023/2024
Brief description:
On 31 December 2016, the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) ceased and was replaced by the Research Training Program (RTP) from 1 January 2017. The RTP provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to higher education providers (HEPs) to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs).
Host Institution(s):
Participating Universities in Australia
Level/Field of study:
Masters by research degree or Doctorate Degree offered by participating Universities in Australia.
Number of Awards:
Not specified
Target group:
Domestic and international students
Scholarship value/inclusions/duration:
Under RTP, a University provides one or more of the following types of support to an RTP Scholarship recipient:
• An RTP Fees Offset pays for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student that would otherwise have been paid by the student. This requires that a university to fully offset tuition fee applicable for a student. This is not a stipend.
• An RTP Stipend to assist students with their living costs while undertaking a higher degree by research.
• RTP Allowances to assist students with ancillary costs of a higher degree by research (HDR). This includes relocation costs to undertake a HDR, HDR thesis printing and academic publication costs and health cover costs for recipients and their dependents.
RTP scholarships are available for a maximum period of two years for a research masters OR a minimum of three years, up to a maximum of four years (at the discretion of the HEP) for a research doctorate degree.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for a RTP Stipend, RTP Fees Offset or RTP Allowance, a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited HDR course of study at an Australian HEP. The basic eligibility criteria for an RTP are listed in Section 1.5 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017.
Application instructions:
Applications for RTP Scholarships need to be made directly to participating universities. Each university has its own application and selection process, please contact your chosen university directly to discuss how to apply for the RTP scheme. The deadline varies per university but is around April-October each year.
It is important to read the Frequently Asked Questions and visit the website of the University where you intend to apply and the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.education.gov.au/research-training-program
