Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships, Australian Government

The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government scheme that supports higher degrees by research. It gives block grants to higher education providers (HEPs) on a calendar year basis. The funding helps both domestic and overseas students complete a Research Doctorate or Research Masters. The RTP replaced the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS), which ended on 31 December 2016, and started on 1 January 2017.

Participating universities in Australia, listed on the eligible providers page.

Masters by research degree or Doctorate Degree offered by participating Universities in Australia.

Not specified.

Domestic and international students.

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 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.

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.

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.