UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (UNSW SYDNEY), FUNDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
UNSW Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships
living only · masters, phd
- ~AUD 30,000/yrApproximate annual living allowance
- ~EUR 18,000 (est.)Stipend value in euros
- Master's & PhDHigher Degree Research levels supported
- All fieldsOpen across every discipline
- Domestic + internationalWho can apply
- 2+ roundsApplication rounds per year
At a glance
living only
Funding
€19k
Max amount
Sep 15, 2026
Deadline
Open to domestic Australian students and international students of all nationalities
Country
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), funded by the Australian Government
Provider
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) support students undertaking a Higher Degree Research, that is a master's by research or a PhD, in any field of study. The program is funded by the Australian Government and administered by UNSW, and it is open to both domestic and international applicants. The headline benefit is a tax-free living allowance to help cover day-to-day costs during candidature; the stipend at UNSW has historically been around AUD 30,000 per year, with the national RTP rate set annually by the government. RTP support can also extend to tuition fee offsets and certain allowances depending on the candidate category and faculty, so applicants should check exactly which components apply to them. To be considered, candidates must meet the academic entry standard for their chosen research program, satisfy UNSW's minimum English language requirements regardless of nationality, secure a willing research supervisor, and complete the GTE and Financial Declaration form; international students must additionally establish Genuine Temporary Entrant status. Applications are tied to research admission rounds, and there are typically 2 or more rounds across the year. The exact stipend figure, what RTP covers for your category, and the 2026/27 round deadlines change annually, so confirm the current details on the official UNSW research scholarships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Living allowance (stipend) — A tax-free annual stipend to support living costs during candidature, historically around AUD 30,000 per year (~EUR 18,000 (est.)), with the rate set annually by the Australian Government.
- Tuition fee support — RTP funding can provide a tuition fee offset for eligible candidates, meaning research program fees may be covered in part or full depending on category and faculty.
- Allowances — Certain RTP allowances, such as relocation or thesis-related costs, may be available to eligible candidates, with values that vary by faculty.
- Duration of support — The stipend is normally paid across the standard duration of the research degree, subject to satisfactory progress, giving multi-year support worth well over ~AUD 60,000 (est.) across a PhD.
- Research environment — Scholars join UNSW's research community with access to supervision, facilities and a structured Higher Degree Research candidature.
How to apply
Application is integrated with admission to a Higher Degree Research at UNSW: you confirm eligibility, secure a supervisor, prepare your documents, then apply through UNSW Apply Online and indicate your interest in the scholarship for the appropriate round.
- Determine your eligibility — Check the eligibility criteria for your chosen research program, confirm you meet UNSW's minimum English language requirements, and complete the GTE and Financial Declaration form.
- Find a supervisor and develop a research plan — Contact potential UNSW supervisors, express interest in their projects, and once you secure one, prepare a research plan covering your eligibility, research capability and project rationale.
- Prepare supporting documentation — Gather the required documents per the Document Submission Guidelines, providing certified English translations for any non-English documents.
- Apply through UNSW Apply Online — Submit your application via UNSW Apply Online, clearly indicating your interest in the RTP scholarship and selecting the correct round for your preferred term start.
- Validate English results — Confirm with your testing authority that UNSW can verify your English test results, or supply alternative qualifying evidence.
Eligibility
Program eligibilityMeet the specific academic entry criteria for your chosen Higher Degree Research program at UNSW (master's by research or PhD).
English languageAll applicants, regardless of nationality, must meet UNSW's minimum English language requirements through tests, prior study in English or other qualifying credentials.
SupervisorSecure a compatible research supervisor at UNSW and develop a research plan before applying.
Financial declarationComplete the GTE and Financial Declaration form demonstrating your capacity to cover living costs and fees not met by the scholarship.
GTE status (international)International applicants must establish Genuine Temporary Entrant status, for example via a UNSW research scholarship, an external scholarship or sponsorship, or self-funding.
Some faculties or programs impose additional prerequisites, and applicants should submit only one application at a time. Review the UNSW Scholarship Terms, Conditions and Guidelines to confirm eligibility for your category.
Eligible countries
Open to domestic Australian students and international students of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/27 entry (main round)~15 September 2026 (est.)
2026/27 entry (later round)~March 2027 (est.)
Selection
RTP scholarships are awarded competitively on academic merit and research potential. Selection considers your academic record, the strength of your research proposal, references, and the fit with an available supervisor and project. Because places and stipend funding are limited and the government sets the annual RTP allocation, faculties rank eligible candidates within each admission round. A confirmed supervisor and a well-developed research plan materially strengthen an application, and meeting the English and GTE requirements is a prerequisite for consideration.
Verified sources
- HDR Scholarships - UNSW Researchunsw.edu.auofficial
- Research Training Program - Australian Government Department of Educationeducation.gov.auofficial
About the provider
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia, established in 1949 and a member of the Group of Eight research-intensive universities. It administers Australian Government Research Training Program funding for its Higher Degree Research candidates across a broad range of disciplines.
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.
What is the UNSW Australian Government RTP Scholarship?
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It is a research scholarship funded by the Australian Government and administered by UNSW that supports master's by research and PhD candidates, primarily through a tax-free living allowance and possible tuition fee support.
How much is the living allowance?
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The annual stipend at UNSW has historically been around AUD 30,000 (~EUR 18,000 (est.)), but the national RTP rate is set each year by the government, so confirm the current figure officially.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Both domestic and international students applying for a Higher Degree Research at UNSW who meet the academic entry standard, satisfy English requirements, secure a supervisor and complete the financial declaration.
What degree levels does it cover?
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It supports Higher Degree Research candidature, meaning a master's by research or a PhD; it is not for coursework master's or undergraduate study.
Does it cover tuition fees?
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RTP funding can include a tuition fee offset for eligible candidates depending on category and faculty, in addition to the living allowance. Check which components apply to you.
Do I need a supervisor before I apply?
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Yes. You must secure a compatible UNSW research supervisor and develop a research plan with them as part of the application.
What are the English language requirements?
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All applicants, regardless of nationality, must meet UNSW's minimum English language standards through an accepted test, prior study in English, or other qualifying credentials.
What is GTE status and who needs it?
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Genuine Temporary Entrant status is required for international applicants and can be established via a UNSW research scholarship, an external scholarship or sponsorship, or self-funding.
When are the deadlines?
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Applications follow research admission rounds; the main round commonly closes around September, so for 2026/27 expect roughly 15 September 2026 (est.). Confirm exact round dates on the official UNSW page.
Can I submit more than one application?
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No. UNSW advises submitting only one application at a time and selecting the appropriate round for your preferred term start.
What disciplines are eligible?
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RTP scholarships are open across all fields of research offered at UNSW, from engineering and sciences to medicine, business and the social sciences.
Where can I find the current figures and deadlines?
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Always confirm the current stipend rate, fee coverage and round deadlines on the official UNSW research scholarships page, as the RTP rate and dates change annually.