Are you an ambitious scholar ready to pursue world-class research in Australia? The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship 2026 is the key funding scheme designed to support domestic and international students undertaking research doctorate and research master’s degrees.
This fully funded scholarship provides comprehensive financial assistance, covering tuition fees and living stipends, allowing you to focus entirely on your academic and research goals at top Australian universities.
Scholarship Overview: Australia’s Premier Research Award
The RTP is funded by the Australian government and administered directly by participating universities. It supports high-quality research training to meet the needs of the Australian economy.
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | Australia 🇦🇺 |
| Sponsored By | Australian Government |
| Degree Levels | Doctoral (PhD) & Master’s by Research |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded (Tuition, Stipend, Allowances) |
| Duration | Up to 3.5 Years (PhD) / 2 Years (Master’s) |
| Deadline | Varies by University (Most close Aug – Dec for 2026 intake) |
Financial Benefits: Comprehensive Support for Researchers
The RTP scholarship provides funding that significantly reduces the financial burden of research-intensive study in Australia.
- ✅ Tuition Fee Offset: Covers the cost of tuition fees for international students for the duration of the course.
- ✅ RTP Stipend (Living Allowance): A tax-free stipend paid monthly to assist with general living costs (Minimum rate set by the government, typically around AUD $32,500 per year).
- ✅ RTP Allowances: May include funding for relocation costs, thesis publication, and health insurance.
Important Note: Unlike many other scholarships, you apply for the RTP directly to a participating university, not to the government. Each university runs its own RTP application round and selection process.
Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply?)
The RTP is open to both domestic and international students who meet these general criteria:
- Enrollment: Must be enrolling in a full-time research degree (PhD or Master’s by Research) at a participating Australian university.
- Academic Standing: Must possess a First Class Honours degree or a Master’s degree with a strong research component (academic requirements are high due to the competitive nature).
- Previous Study: Cannot have previously held a scholarship for a Research Degree for more than 6 months.
- Citizenship: Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, and international students.
How to Apply: Applying Directly to Your University
The application process is decentralized. You must find a university that participates in the RTP and apply directly through their portal.
Step 1: Identify Your University and Supervisor
Choose a participating university and identify a potential supervisor whose research aligns with yours. Securing an academic supervisor’s acceptance before applying significantly boosts your chances.
Step 2: Submit Admission and Scholarship Application
You typically apply for admission to the research program and the RTP scholarship simultaneously through the university’s dedicated online application system.
- Documents required: Research Proposal, CV, Academic Transcripts, Evidence of English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL is usually mandatory for Australian visas/admissions), and two letters of recommendation.
Step 3: University Selection
The university reviews and ranks all applicants based on academic merit, research output, and prior experience. They then award the limited number of RTP scholarships they receive from the government.
Deadline & Official Link
RTP deadlines are set by each university, often aligning with their PhD/Master’s application rounds.
- Main Intake (Semester 1): Applications usually close between August and December 2025 for the 2026 intake.
- Mid-Year Intake (Semester 2): Some universities have a second intake closing around April/May 2026.
Your research starts by checking the RTP pages of the top Australian universities:
