The Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship supports domestic and international students undertaking Higher Degree by Research programmes at the Australian National University. The scholarship provides a stipend of $39,069 per year at the 2026 rate, paid fortnightly for up to three and a half years. ANU considers eligible applicants through its annual central scholarship rounds.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship
Category: Academic research scholarship
Host: Australian National University
Student Type: Domestic and international
Academic Level: Postgraduate research—Higher Degree by Research
Scholarship Value: $39,069 per annum at the 2026 rate
Payment Schedule: Fortnightly
Standard Duration: Three and a half years
About the Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship
The Commonwealth Department of Education and Training provides funding to universities to award Research Training Program scholarships. At ANU, the RTP is included in the university’s central scholarship rounds alongside the University Research Scholarship and other centrally managed awards.
The scholarship is intended for candidates undertaking Higher Degree by Research programmes. Both commencing applicants and some recently enrolled candidates may be considered through the relevant ANU process.
Scholarship Value and Payment Period
The full-time base RTP stipend rate for 2026 is $39,069 per year.
Confirmed financial arrangements include:
✓ A stipend of $39,069 per annum at the 2026 rate
✓ Fortnightly payments
✓ Scholarship payments for three and a half years
✓ A possible extension of up to six months in eligible circumstances
Scholarship continuation is based on academic performance.
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Additional Scholarship Benefits
The official scholarship page lists several forms of additional assistance. Eligibility may depend on the recipient’s circumstances and the applicable scholarship conditions.
Available benefits include:
✓ Travel and removal allowances for students relocating to Canberra
✓ A thesis allowance
✓ A dependant child allowance for international students
✓ Paid medical, maternity, and parental leave
✓ Overseas Student Health Cover reimbursement for eligible international recipients through the RTP Fee Offset benefit
Internships lasting more than 60 days on a full-time-equivalent basis may support an extension of up to six months when they are not undertaken with a higher education provider or international equivalent.
Other eligible internship types may support an extension of up to three months on the grounds of academic delay. Research visits and internships with higher education providers are excluded from this arrangement.
Scholarship Rounds and Deadlines
ANU conducts two annual central scholarship rounds.
Round 1
Round 1 is divided into separate international and domestic application periods.
• International candidates: Applications close on 31 August each year.
• Domestic candidates: Applications close on 31 October each year.
• Commencement: Successful candidates must normally commence by 31 March of the following year.
Round 2
Round 2 is available to domestic and international candidates.
• Application deadline: 15 April each year
• Commencement: Successful candidates must normally commence by 31 August of the same year
The official page describes Round 2 as a smaller scholarship round.
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Eligibility and Selection Basis
The scholarship conditions and basic eligibility requirements are governed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017 and the ANU Research Training Program Policy and Procedure.
ANU ranks candidates through a competitive process. Scholarships are awarded to top-ranked candidates, subject to confirmation that they meet the merit-based selection criteria.
Selection also depends on:
• Confirmation of a qualified supervisor
• Availability of appropriate space and resources
• Alignment between the proposed research area and the ANU research strategy
• Completion of all required application documents and referee reports
Application Process for Commencing Students
Commencing students do not submit a separate application specifically for the RTP Stipend Scholarship.
Instead, candidates must complete an application for admission to an ANU Higher Degree by Research programme. During the admission application, they must select the relevant options indicating that they wish to be considered for available scholarships, including the RTP.
The admission application must be complete by the relevant scholarship deadline. This includes all supporting documents and referee reports.
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Application Process for Continuing Students
Current ANU Higher Degree by Research candidates must complete the “Request for a Current ANU Student to be Considered for a HDR Scholarship” form.
The completed form must be returned to the candidate’s Academic College. Current students who recently commenced their research programme may be considered according to the conditions stated by ANU.
Supporting Documents and Referee Reports
Applications must include all supporting documentation and completed referee reports by the scholarship deadline.
Referee-report requests are sent to nominated referees after the applicant submits the programme application. Referees must submit their reports before the scholarship deadline for the application to be treated as complete.
ANU strongly recommends submitting the admission application two to three weeks before the scholarship deadline. This gives nominated referees sufficient time to complete their reports.
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Prospective Supervisor
Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact a prospective supervisor before submitting their admission application.
This discussion allows the applicant and prospective supervisor to consider the proposed research topic and related academic arrangements before the formal application is lodged.
Key Dates
• Round 1 international deadline: 31 August each year
• Round 1 domestic deadline: 31 October each year
• Round 1 commencement deadline: 31 March of the following year
• Round 2 deadline: 15 April each year
• Round 2 commencement deadline: 31 August of the same year
Apply Here
Review the official scholarship details and follow the admission and scholarship consideration instructions provided on the official page.
View the Official Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship Page
