Competitive round scholarship
The 2026 Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship round has now opened. Applications for domestic applicants closes on 31 October 2025, while international applications close on 30 September 2025. Successful applicants will commence their Higher Degree by Research at CDU between 12 January and 27 March 2026.
*Domestic applicants are Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, and NZ citizen
The Closing dates and Application Outcomes for the Domestic and International rounds:
International Applications for Admission (complete application*) deadline: 1 September 2025
International RTP Scholarship Round - CLOSES 30 September 2025
International RTP Scholarship Outcomes - Mid- November
Domestic Applications for Admission (complete application*) deadline: 1 October 2025
Domestic RTP Scholarship Round - CLOSES 31 October 2025
Domestic RTP Scholarship Outcomes - Mid- December
* Complete Application includes minimum 2 academic referee reports, English proficiency results, academic documents, supervisor confirmation email, CV, Research outputs (if applicable)
Scholarship Ranking Guidelines
All Scholarships are considered and awarded through a competitive process.
Please visit RTP Scholarship Ranking Guidelines before applying.
RTP scholarship for international students applications close on Tuesday, 30 September 2025- applications for admission opens
RTP scholarship for domestic* students applications close on Friday, 31 October 2025.
** Applicants must have a CDU supervisor to apply
Stipend Information
Australian Government RTP Stipend Scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential to undertake an HDR at an Australian university and are not automatically granted to all students. The scholarships are provided to assist with general living costs.
- AU$34,190 (2025 rate) per annum tax-free for full-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.
- AU$17,095 (2025 rate) per annum, taxable, for part-time students, paid in fortnightly instalments.
Three years full-time for a doctoral degree and two years for research Master's degree.
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 an HDR.
You must not receive 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 and $2,500 for international students. Conditions apply.
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