Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available to postgraduate research students in Australia. Administered through Australian universities including the University of Sydney, it provides financial support that covers both tuition fees and living costs, removing two of the biggest barriers that prevent talented researchers from pursuing higher degrees. With a stipend of $42,754 per year in 2026 and full tuition fee coverage, this is a genuinely life-changing award for anyone serious about research.

This scholarship is open to both domestic Australian students and international students who are commencing or already enrolled in a higher degree by research (HDR). Whether you are a student from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe or elsewhere, if you have the academic profile and research potential to be accepted into an Australian HDR programme, you are eligible to be considered. The scholarship is competitive, meaning that meeting the minimum entry requirements is only the starting point.

This post covers everything you need to know about the RTP Scholarship and the equivalent University of Sydney scholarships, including eligibility, benefits, required documents, how to apply step by step, key dates and tips to help you submit a strong application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

• Citizenship: Both domestic and international students are eligible. The RTP Stipend Scholarship is open to both, while the RTP Fee Offset is specifically for international students. Equivalent university scholarships (USYDIS and University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship) are also for international students.
• Academic qualifications: Applicants must be commencing or currently enrolled in a higher degree by research at an eligible Australian university. This typically means a Masters by Research or a doctoral (PhD) programme.
• Work experience: Not specified as a formal requirement, however research experience is clearly valued in the selection process. The supporting documents include a Research Experience Evidence Template and a Research Experience Information and Appendix Guide, which strongly suggests that prior research activity is assessed.
• Language requirements: International students applying for admission to the University of Sydney will typically need to meet the university’s standard English proficiency requirements as part of the admission process.
• Other requirements: Applicants must apply for admission to an HDR programme through the official university admissions system and separately submit the scholarship application form by the relevant deadline. Failure to meet either deadline will result in non-consideration.

Eligible Countries

The RTP Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government and administered by universities across Australia. There is no published restriction on the country of origin for international applicants. Any international student who is accepted into an eligible higher degree by research programme at an Australian university may apply.

The following regions are all potentially eligible:

• Africa: All countries
• Asia: All countries
• Americas: All countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and others
• Europe: All countries
• Middle East: All countries
• Oceania: Australian domestic students are also eligible for the stipend component

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is open to all fields of study, provided the programme of study is a higher degree by research at an eligible Australian university.

There are no restrictions on discipline or subject area. Students researching science, technology, engineering, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, medicine, law, business, education or any other field are all eligible, as long as they are enrolled in a research-based postgraduate degree rather than a coursework degree.

If you are unsure whether your intended programme qualifies as a higher degree by research, check with the admissions office of the university you are applying to before submitting your scholarship application.

Benefits

The scholarship package is made up of several components, some of which are automatically awarded together.

• Stipend: $42,754 per year (2026 rate). This is a living allowance to cover your day-to-day expenses during your research programme. Both the RTP Stipend Scholarship and the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS) provide this same rate.
• Tuition fees: 100% of tuition fees covered for up to 14 research periods. International students who receive the RTP Stipend Scholarship are automatically awarded the RTP Fee Offset, which covers tuition in full. USYDIS recipients are automatically awarded the University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship on the same basis.
• Relocation allowance: Included as part of the stipend scholarship package. The exact amount is not specified in the available information. 
• Thesis allowance: Included as part of the stipend scholarship package. 
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): Provided to international students as part of the RTP Fee Offset scholarship. This is a mandatory health insurance requirement for international students in Australia and its inclusion is a significant practical benefit.
• Visa fees: Not mentioned in the available information.

Required Documents

The following documents are required. Prepare them before beginning your application. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

1. Completed online application for admission to a higher degree by research (submitted through Sydney Courses or the relevant university admissions portal).
2. Completed scholarship application form (submitted separately from the admissions application, by the scholarship deadline).
3. Academic transcripts from all previous tertiary institutions attended, showing grades and degree completion.
4. Evidence of research experience, prepared using the university’s Research Experience Evidence Template (downloadable from the scholarship page).
5. Research experience appendix, completed using the Research Experience Information and Appendix Guide (downloadable from the scholarship page).
6. English language test results (such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) for international applicants.

Read all supporting documentation on the scholarship page, particularly the HDR Scholarship Selection Process document (pdf, 221KB), before beginning your application.

How to Apply

Step 1: Identify the correct research period intake for your situation. Check the Application and Award Timeline table to determine which round is currently open or upcoming. Each round has a specific submission deadline for both admissions and scholarships.

Step 2: Confirm that your intended programme is classified as a higher degree by research (HDR) at the university you are applying to. This is a hard eligibility requirement. Coursework programmes do not qualify.

Step 3: Find a supervisor. Most Australian universities require or strongly encourage HDR applicants to identify and contact a potential research supervisor before applying. Reach out to academics in your field whose research aligns with your interests and confirm their availability to take on a new student.

Step 4: Prepare your admission application. Go to Sydney Courses (or the equivalent portal at your chosen university) and complete the online application for admission to your HDR programme. Submit all required admission documentation by the deadline for international or domestic students, as applicable.

Step 5: Download and read all supporting scholarship documents from the scholarship page before filling in anything. This includes the HDR Scholarship Selection Process document, the Research Experience Evidence Template and the Research Experience Information and Appendix Guide. These documents explain how your application will be assessed.

Step 6: Complete the Research Experience Evidence Template. Document your previous research activities, publications, conference presentations, thesis work and any other relevant research experience using the template provided. This is a critical part of your scholarship application.

Step 7: Complete the scholarship application form. This is a separate submission from your admissions application and must be submitted by the scholarship deadline for your intended research period.

Step 8: Submit both your admission application and your scholarship application form by the stated deadlines. Missing either deadline means your scholarship application will not be considered for that round.

Step 9: Monitor your email for communications from the scholarship committee. Outcomes for each round are communicated within the timeframe listed in the Application and Award Timeline table. Keep your inbox clear and check regularly.

Step 10: If you are successful, follow all instructions regarding enrolment, visa applications (for international students) and scholarship acceptance. Ensure you maintain your enrolment status throughout the funded period to remain eligible for continued support.

Key Dates and Timeline

Note: The Research Period 1 and 2, 2026 round is now closed with a submission deadline of 21 November 2025.

Application Deadline

The next open deadline is 19 December 2025 for students commencing in Research Period 3 or 4, 2026.

For students planning ahead, the following deadline is 11 September 2026 for Research Period 1 and 2, 2027.

Applications submitted after the stated deadline will NOT be accepted. There are no extensions or exceptions noted in the available information.

Selection Criteria

The scholarship is awarded competitively, meaning the strongest applicants within each round receive funding. The following factors are likely to influence the outcome of your application.

• Academic excellence: Your academic record across undergraduate and postgraduate study will be assessed. Strong grades, particularly in research-related courses and your most recent qualifications, will carry significant weight.
• Research experience: This is explicitly highlighted through the requirement to submit a Research Experience Evidence Template and appendix guide. Publications, conference presentations, research assistant roles, honours theses and any other documented research activity will strengthen your application considerably.
• Supervisor support: Having a confirmed or prospective supervisor who endorses your application is a strong signal to selection committees. In the Australian HDR system, supervisor availability and enthusiasm for a project often influences scholarship outcomes.
• Potential contribution to the field: The selection process document (HDR Scholarship Selection Process, available for download on the scholarship page) will contain the full selection criteria. Reading it in full before applying is strongly recommended.

Important Tips

1. Read the HDR Scholarship Selection Process document before you begin writing anything. It is available as a downloadable PDF on the scholarship page and contains exactly what the committee is looking for. Not reading it is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes.
2. Contact a potential supervisor before applying. In the Australian research system, having a supervisor who is expecting your application and has agreed to take you on significantly improves your chances. Cold applications without supervisor contact are much weaker.
3. Apply for admission and the scholarship at the same time. Both the admissions application and the scholarship form have separate deadlines but run in parallel. Missing the scholarship form deadline while completing your admissions application is a common error.
4. Use the Research Experience Evidence Template properly. Do not submit a generic CV in place of this document. The template is structured specifically for how the selection committee wants to see your research background presented.
5. Plan your application around the round that gives you the most preparation time. There are multiple rounds each year. If the next deadline is too close for you to prepare a strong application, apply in the following round rather than rushing a weaker submission.
6. Check the English language requirements for the university well in advance. If you need to sit IELTS or another test, booking and receiving results can take several weeks. Do not leave this until the last minute.
7. Follow up on your application within the stated outcomes window. If you have not heard back by the “outcomes received by” date in the timeline, contact the university’s postgraduate admissions or scholarships team directly.
8. Do not assume that admission to the programme guarantees the scholarship. Admission and scholarship are separate processes. Many students are admitted to HDR programmes without receiving a scholarship. Apply specifically for the scholarship by submitting the scholarship application form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for the RTP Scholarship?

Yes. International students are explicitly listed as eligible for both the RTP Stipend Scholarship and the RTP Fee Offset. There is no restriction on nationality provided the student meets the academic and enrolment requirements.

Do I need to apply for the RTP Fee Offset separately?

No. International students who are awarded the RTP Stipend Scholarship are automatically also awarded the RTP Fee Offset, which covers 100% of tuition fees. You do not need to make a separate application for the fee component.

What is the difference between the RTP Scholarship and the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS)? 

Both provide the same stipend amount ($42,754 per year in 2026) and both come with a corresponding tuition fee scholarship. The RTP is funded by the Australian Government while the USYDIS is funded by the University of Sydney itself. Both are awarded competitively through the same application process.

How many research periods does the scholarship cover? 

The tuition fee component covers up to 14 research periods. 

Is there an age limit for the RTP Scholarship? 

No age limit is mentioned in the available information. 

Can I apply if I am already enrolled in an HDR programme?

Yes. Currently enrolled HDR students can apply for the scholarship by submitting the scholarship application form by the relevant deadline. They do not need to submit a new admissions application.

What happens if I miss the scholarship deadline but still get admitted to the HDR programme?

If you miss the scholarship submission deadline for a given round, you would need to apply in the next round. Admission and scholarship are processed separately. Speak with the university’s scholarships office to understand your options if you find yourself in this situation.

Where can I find the Research Experience Evidence Template and Appendix Guide?

Both documents are listed on the University of Sydney’s RTP scholarship page under Related Documents. They can be downloaded directly from the page. Reading the accompanying guide before completing the template is strongly recommended.

Official Link

Apply and access all related documents through the University of Sydney’s official scholarship page:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships/australian-government-research-training-program/rtp-international.html

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