Research Training Program (RTP)

About the Research Training Program (RTP)

The Research Training Program (RTP) is offered by Australian Government. The Australian government's main funding scheme for research degrees: fee offsets and stipends (~AUD 33,000+/yr, university-set) for domestic and international Master's-by-research and PhD candidates, administered by each university. Scholarships like this are competitive and rule-bound: meeting every published eligibility criterion is what gets your application read, and missing even one usually means an automatic rejection regardless of how strong the rest of your profile is.

Use the eligibility checker on this page for a quick, personalised read of whether you qualify before you invest hours in the application — then confirm the fine print on the official source, since awarding bodies revise criteria and amounts between cycles.

What the scholarship covers

This award typically covers: Tuition-fee offset for up to 4 years (PhD); Living stipend set by each university (indexed, ~AUD 33,000+/yr); Some allowances for relocation and thesis costs; Available at every Australian university. Read the value carefully — "full" funding can still leave gaps (visa fees, travel, or a partner/family), while a partial award may need topping up from savings or part-time work to satisfy a visa's proof-of-funds rule.

Who is eligible

The main requirements are strict gates rather than guidelines: RTP supports research degrees only — coursework Master's are not eligible; A completed first degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) is required; RTP is applied for via the university, usually alongside your admission application. Check each against your own situation honestly before applying — the checker on this page does exactly this and flags where you may fall short.

Deadlines and how to apply well

Key dates: 2027 rounds — most universities close international rounds Aug–Oct 2026 — 2026-09-30. Always confirm the exact deadline on the official source, as cycles shift year to year and some awards close early once funds are committed.

Strong applications are specific and evidenced: tie your goals to what the scholarship is actually for, supply every requested document in the right format, and give referees plenty of notice. A late or incomplete submission is the most avoidable reason good candidates miss out.