National / government
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
Tuition offset plus a stipend around AUD 37,000 per year (2026)
- Study level
- Research
- How to get it
- Separate application required
- Country
- Australia
Who is eligible
Domestic and international students enrolled in an accredited research doctorate (PhD) or research masters at an Australian university. Highly competitive, allocated on research record and proposal strength.
The RTP is how the Australian Government funds most higher-degree research students. Universities receive a block grant and award it as some combination of three things: a full tuition-fee offset, a living stipend (the 2026 full-time rate is about AUD 37,010 a year, tax-free), and allowances for relocation, thesis costs, or health cover.
International and domestic students compete in the same pool. The stipend runs for up to three years for a PhD, the fee offset up to four. You apply through your chosen university's graduate research school, not the government, usually alongside or just after your admission application. Individual universities top up the base rate to varying degrees.
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship: common questions
How much is the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship worth?
Tuition offset plus a stipend around AUD 37,000 per year (2026). Amounts and eligibility bands are reviewed every year, so confirm the current value on the official scholarship page before you rely on it.
Do I need a separate application for the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship?
Yes. The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship needs its own application, usually after you have an offer of admission, and sometimes a written statement or interview.
Is the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship for undergraduate or postgraduate study?
The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is for research study.
Scholarship terms change every year. Confirm the current value, eligibility, and deadline on the official page before you apply or rely on this for budgeting.