Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships 2026 , Australia (Fully Funded)
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) is a flagship funding scheme designed to support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students undertaking research Master’s and PhD programs at eligible Australian universities.
Administered through the Australian Department of Education, the RTP provides funding directly to Higher Education Providers (HEPs), which then award scholarships to domestic and international research students based on their own selection processes.
Overview of the Research Training Program (RTP)
The RTP supports both Australian and international students studying at Australian universities and aims to strengthen Australia’s research capacity and workforce.
Key Objectives of the RTP
Support training for domestic and overseas HDR students
Develop graduates with skills for careers in academia, industry, and public sectors
Strengthen collaboration between universities, industry, and research end-users
The RTP replaced the former Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS), and Research Training Scheme (RTS) on 1 January 2017.
Degree Level
Research Doctorate (PhD)
Full-time: Minimum 3 years, up to 4 years
Part-time: Minimum 6 years, up to 8 years
Research Master’s
Full-time: Up to 2 years
Part-time: Up to 4 years
Periods of approved leave or scholarship suspension may extend the support period in specific circumstances, including parental and family leave.
Available Subjects
- All subjects
Benefits
Students awarded an RTP scholarship may receive one or more of the following components:
RTP Fees Offset (covers tuition fees)
RTP Stipend (living allowance)
RTP Allowances, including:
Relocation costs
Thesis production costs
Research-related ancillary expenses
The exact combination depends on the university offering the scholarship.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to international students of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is determined by individual universities, but generally applicants must:
Apply for or be enrolled in a research Master’s or PhD
Meet academic and research merit criteria
Satisfy English language requirements
Meet university-specific admission conditions
There is no direct application to the Department of Education for RTP scholarships.
Application Procedure
RTP scholarships are administered by Australian universities
Applicants must contact and apply directly to their chosen Higher Education Provider (HEP)
Each university has its own application deadlines, criteria, and selection process
Students may apply for RTP scholarships at multiple universities
RTP Industry Internship Weighting
To encourage stronger links between research and industry, the Australian Government introduced the RTP Industry Internship Weighting.
Key Features
Applies to research doctorate students
Requires an eligible industry internship of:
At least 3 months, or
60 full-time equivalent days
Internship must be formally agreed between:
Student
University
Research end-user
This initiative strengthens employment pathways for PhD graduates beyond academia.
HDR Grievance Support
HDR students, including RTP recipients, may access formal grievance pathways through their university. The HDR Grievance Factsheet outlines complaint resolution options and student rights.
Key Points to Remember
RTP applications are not submitted to the Department of Education
Scholarships are awarded by Australian universities
RTP supports both domestic and international students
Funding may include tuition, stipend, and allowances
Universities decide stipend amounts within government limits
