UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE (FUNDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT)
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship at the University of Adelaide
full · masters, phd
- ~AUD 34,210 / year (est.)Full-time RTP stipend
- Tuition fee waiverInternational student benefit
- Up to 48 monthsHealth cover for a doctorate
- Masters and PhDDegree levels funded
- All subjectsFields of study
- AustraliaWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€31k
Max amount
Jun 5, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities (domestic and international)
Country
University of Adelaide (funded by the Australian Government)
Provider
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship at the University of Adelaide funds Higher Degree by Research (HDR) study, covering both Research Masters and PhD programs across all subject areas. The award combines a living stipend, a tuition fee offset or waiver, and allowances. For full-time students the RTP stipend is around AUD 34,210 per year (indexed annually), with about AUD 17,105 for half-time students, while Indigenous full-time recipients receive a higher rate of about AUD 50,291 per year. International recipients also receive a tuition fee waiver plus compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover for up to 27 months for a Research Masters and up to 48 months for a Research Doctorate. A relocation allowance of up to AUD 1,500 for international students and an early-submission allowance worth up to 2 months of stipend are also available. Applicants must secure an academic supervisor before applying and must not hold competing funding above 75% of the base stipend. Stipend rates are indexed every year, so confirm the exact current-cycle figures, allowances and closing dates on the official University of Adelaide research scholarships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Living stipend — An annual tax-free RTP living stipend of about AUD 34,210 (est.) for full-time students, indexed each year; around AUD 17,105 for half-time study, and up to about AUD 50,291 for Indigenous full-time recipients.
- Tuition fee waiver / offset — International RTP recipients receive a full tuition fee waiver; domestic students receive an RTP Fee Offset covering tuition for the duration of the research program.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — Compulsory health insurance for international students for up to 27 months (Research Masters) or up to 48 months (Research Doctorate).
- Relocation allowance — A one-off relocation allowance of up to AUD 1,500 (est.) for international students and up to AUD 1,000 for domestic students moving to Adelaide.
- Early submission allowance — An additional stipend payment equivalent to up to 2 months of stipend (around AUD 5,700 est.) for eligible candidates who submit their thesis early, paid within 4 weeks of submission.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the University of Adelaide; you must first identify and secure a research supervisor.
- Check your eligibility — Confirm you meet the enrolment, qualification, English language and funding-limit requirements for the Higher Degree by Research program you want to enter.
- Review the scholarship criteria — Read the specific conditions for the RTP Scholarship and the University of Adelaide Research Scholarships for the current cycle.
- Find a supervisor — Identify and contact a suitable academic supervisor in your research area and confirm they can support your project.
- Apply online — Complete the online HDR admission and scholarship application, providing accurate personal, academic and research details.
- Accept your offer and enrol — If successful, accept the offer and complete enrolment following the procedures for domestic or international students as relevant.
Eligibility
EnrolmentEligible for full-time enrolment in a Higher Degree by Research (Research Masters or PhD) program at the University of Adelaide.
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities; international applicants must hold and maintain international-student status throughout enrolment.
QualificationsRequired qualifications must be completed by the scholarship closing date; qualifications still in progress are not counted unless finished in time.
English proficiencyInternational applicants must provide evidence of meeting the University's English language requirements.
Funding limitsApplicants must not hold other equivalent funding exceeding 75% of the base RTP stipend, and must not hold certain Commonwealth Government scholarships or awards.
Preference is given to applicants who do not already hold an equivalent research degree (e.g. a PhD). Applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage may be eligible for the Australian Government RTP Scholarship (Indigenous) with confirmation of heritage.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities (domestic and international)
Deadlines
2026 main round~5 June 2026 (est.)
2026/2027 later round~October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed competitively on academic merit and research potential. The University ranks candidates on prior academic record, research outputs and experience, the quality and fit of the proposed project, and supervisor support. Preference is given to applicants without an equivalent research degree, and unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent rounds.
Verified sources
- Research Scholarships - University of Adelaideadelaide.edu.auofficial
- Research Training Program - Australian Government Department of Educationeducation.gov.auofficial
About the provider
The University of Adelaide is a public research university in South Australia and a member of the Group of Eight. It administers Australian Government Research Training Program funding and its own research scholarships to support Higher Degree by Research candidates across all faculties.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the RTP Scholarship?
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It is funded by the Australian Government through the Research Training Program and administered by the University of Adelaide, which also offers its own University of Adelaide Research Scholarships on similar terms.
Which degree levels are covered?
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The scholarship supports Higher Degree by Research programs, meaning Research Masters and PhD (Research Doctorate) study.
Is it open to international students?
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Yes. It is open to applicants of all nationalities. International recipients receive a tuition fee waiver and compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover in addition to the stipend.
How much is the stipend?
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The full-time RTP stipend is about AUD 34,210 per year (est., indexed annually), roughly AUD 17,105 for half-time study, and up to about AUD 50,291 for Indigenous full-time students.
Does it cover tuition fees?
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Yes. International RTP recipients receive a full tuition fee waiver, and domestic recipients receive an RTP Fee Offset covering tuition.
How long does the funding last?
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Health cover runs for up to 27 months for a Research Masters and up to 48 months for a Research Doctorate, aligned with the standard duration of the research program.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
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Yes. You must identify and connect with a suitable academic supervisor at the University of Adelaide before submitting your application.
Is there a relocation allowance?
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Yes. International students may receive up to AUD 1,500 (est.) and domestic students up to AUD 1,000 toward relocation costs.
Can I hold other funding at the same time?
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You must not hold equivalent funding exceeding 75% of the base RTP stipend, and you must not hold certain Commonwealth Government scholarships or awards.
What is the early submission allowance?
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Eligible candidates who submit their thesis early can receive an extra payment equivalent to up to 2 months of stipend, paid within 4 weeks of submission.
Can I reapply if I am not selected?
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Yes. Unsuccessful applicants are permitted to reapply in subsequent application rounds.
What is the application deadline?
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The main international round typically closes around 5 June 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact current-cycle deadline on the official University of Adelaide research scholarships page.