Higher Degree by Research scholarships

The Domestic RTP Fee Offset helps CDU provide tuition fee offsets to domestic candidates commencing or enrolled in HDR programs for which Australian Government RTP support is available.

The Domestic RTP Fees Offset pays for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student that would otherwise have been paid by the student. This requires a university to fully offset tuition fees applicable for a student. This is not a stipend.

Domestic Masters by Research students receive the offset for two years FTE.
Domestic PhD students receive the offset for four years FTE.

You must not be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Australian Government designed to offset HDR tuition fees.

If you require an extension to your candidature, domestic fees may apply.

The next RTP Scholarship round will be for 2024.  Information on the upcoming 2024 RTP Scholarship round will be advertised mid/late 2023.  Applications submitted outside the round will be assessed for candidature only. Watch this space. 

Scholarship Information

The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship provides a living allowance for high-quality research higher degree students. They are awarded on academic merit and research experience and/or potential.

The RTP also includes a tuition fee off-set for all domestic Research Masters or PhD students. Please refer to the website for further information about the tuition fee off-set.

The Commonwealth Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) provides funding to Australian Higher Education Providers (HEP) to award financial aid to support both domestic and international HDR candidates.

These awards are governed by the Research Training Program (RTP) and University Research Training Scheme (URTS) Scholarship Policy (PDF, 70.23 KB).

What does it include?

RTP Scholarships provide students with the following forms of support:

• RTP Fees Offset pay for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student that would otherwise have been paid by the student. This requires a university to fully offset tuition fees applicable for a student. This is not a stipend.
• RTP Stipends assist students with their living costs while they undertake a HDR.

HDR candidates applying for RTP Stipend scholarships and/or Domestic Fee Offsets must meet the Australian Government RTP eligibility requirements (see bottom of this page).

Stipend Information:

Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential to undertake a HDR at an Australian university and are not automatically granted to all students. The scholarships are provided to assist with general living costs.

• AU$28,854 (2022 rate) per annum tax-free for full-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.
• AU$14,427 (2022 rate) per annum, taxable, for part-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.

Three years full-time for a doctoral degree, two years for a research Master's degree. The duration of an RTP stipend scholarship cannot be extended.

You must be enrolled in an accredited HDR course of study at an Australian Higher Education Provider (HEP) and demonstrate exceptional research potential to undertake a HDR.

You must not be receiving income from another source to support your general living costs while enrolled in a course of study if that income is greater than 75% of the RTP stipend rate.

Please note: income unrelated to your course of study or income received for your course of study but not for the purpose of supporting general living costs is not considered.

Additional benefits include:

• paid sick leave
• maternity leave
• relocation allowance. The relocation allowance for RTP stipend recipients is up to $2,000 for domestic students.

For more information please visit RTP Scholarships - FAQs.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is looking for Australia’s top higher degree by research candidates with the launch of a generous scholarship program.

The 2023 CDU Domestic Excellence Scholars (CDUDES) Scholarships are available in research fields that the university has built a strong reputation, including indigenous studies, ecology, remote health, and energy.

Each scholarship includes a $40, 000 a year stipend and a Domestic RTP Fee offset for the tuition fees. 

Click here for available scholarship opportunities and how to apply.

RTP Stipends that are linked to Research Projects are advertised when they are open for application.  Please ensure you click on the link for information detailed information project and instructions on how to apply.

Governance of Global Science - The project is linked to a broader project funded by the Australian Research Council looking at the governance of taxonomic lists, but the PhD project is to consider the governance of science globally. How did scientists decide that Pluto is no longer a planet? Or whether to recognise the Anthropocene? Scientists have no power to enforce their judgements through international law so must negotiate agreements through to a consensus view. Yet these same decisions can have implications for real life if they are subsequently adopted by governments. As part of the research on how scientific organisations govern themselves, the research will consider not only how decisions are reached but also how different organisations resolve disputes and ensure inclusion of a wide range of opinions.  

Get in touch

E: research.degrees@cdu.edu.au

The Commonwealth Government’s Research Training Program (RTP) provides funding to Australian Higher Education Providers (HEP) to award financial aid to support both domestic and international HDR candidates.

These awards are governed by the Research Training Program (RTP) and University Research Training Scheme (URTS) Scholarship Policy (PDF, 70.23 KB).

International Candidates can be offered the following RTP scholarship:

• Australian Government RTP Stipend.

HDR candidates applying for RTP Stipend scholarships must meet the Australian Government RTP eligibility requirements (see bottom of this page).

Australian Government RTP Stipend

Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential to undertake a HDR at an Australian university and are not automatically granted to all students. The scholarships are provided to assist with general living costs.

The Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship provides an indexed stipend—of AU$28,854 (2022 rate) per annum tax-free for full-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.

Additional benefits include:

• paid sick leave
• maternity leave
• relocation allowance. The relocation allowance for RTP stipend recipients is up to $2,500 for international students.

Please note the Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship does not cover Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).  Students will be required to cover these costs.

Australian Government RTP eligibility requirements

You must be enrolled in an accredited HDR course of study at an Australian Higher Education Provider (HEP).

You must not be receiving income from another source to support your general living costs while enrolled in a course of study if that income is greater than 75% of the RTP stipend rate.

Please note: income unrelated to your course of study or income received for your course of study but not for the purpose of supporting general living costs is not considered. International students may have additional income limitations due to student visa requirements.

For more information please visit RTP Scholarships - FAQs.

Get in touch

E: international@cdu.edu.au

Visit the International website for a list of the application documents.

The URTS Fee Offset is a scholarship offered to international HDR candidates of exceptional research potential commencing or enrolling in a HDR program who have been awarded an Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarship.

The fee offset may fully or partially remove the liability of the HDR candidate to pay program tuition fees for the year in which it is awarded.

International HDR candidates who are not awarded an Australian Government RTP Stipend can still apply for a URTS Fee Offset.

Please note: the URTS Fee Offset is not a Commonwealth scholarship.

Eligibility requirements

You must be enrolled in a HDR at CDU and demonstrate exceptional research potential to undertake a HDR.

You must not already be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Australian Government designed to offset HDR tuition fees.

Get in touch

E: international@cdu.edu.au

Visit the International website for a list of the application documents.

CDU provides research courses for Australia Awards Scholarship students. Australia Awards Scholarship students enjoy the support services offered to all International students, plus:

• Support from the University's designated Australia Awards Scholarship Officer
• A special Introductory Academic Program
• Additional tuition support as recommended by academic staff

For further information and how to apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship, go to Australia Awards, or email the International team. 

CDU Global provides relevant information regarding the range of scholarships to support international students coming to study at CDU from around the globe.

Our scholarships reward high achieving students with outstanding academic accomplishments and who contribute to the potential to make a positive impact on the world.

Information on the scholarship application process can be found on the CDU International Student Scholarships page

Get in touch

E: international@cdu.edu.au

Visit the International website for a list of the application documents.