Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships

Applications are now open for 2025 RTP stipend scholarships.

Federation University Australia offers Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships annually to eligible applicants - both current and prospective Higher Degree by Research candidates, who are either:

  • Australian citizens
  • Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders
  • Australian permanent residents
  • New Zealand citizens

Scholarship amount: $38,000 per annum tax-free, paid as a fortnightly stipend of $1461.54.

Fees: Up to $32,000 per annum covered by a Research Training Program Fee-Offset Scholarships

Applications have now opened and close 31st October 2024.

Note: Federation University is currently unable to offer Research Training Program stipend scholarships to international applicants, however, there are other stipend scholarship opportunities available to international applicants. Selected industry related scholarships are available to international applicants.

Apply for 2025 RTP stipend scholarship

Prospective candidates

Step 1: Check your eligibility for admission to a higher degree by research program.

Step 2: Familiarise yourself with Federation's research centres and contact a prospective supervisor.

Step 3: Submit your application for candidature and RTP Stipend along with the documents required below. Indicate in section 3: Stipend Scholarship that you are applying for a Research Training Program Stipend.

Applications should include all relevant supporting documentation and the University must receive completed referee report forms by the scholarship closing date, 31st October 2024. As part of their application, prospective Higher Degree by Research applicants are also required to provide:

With your RTP Scholarship Fee-Offset and Stipend Application, you will be required to upload:

  • 250-word title and summary of intended project
  • Transcripts of all tertiary level academic study
  • Copy of honours or masters thesis abstract
  • Evidence for Australian honours equivalency, if applicable
  • Any awards or accolades
  • Any other evidence of research performance**
  • A link to your online researcher profile, such as ORCiD, Research Gate, Scopus or Google Scholar
  • Australian citizens must provide a copy of their birth certificate or passport
  • Permanent Residents must provide a copy of their visa and passport
  • Copies of contractual agreement with outside sponsor or institution (if applicable)
  • Any awards or accolades
  • Any other evidence of research performance**.

Current candidates

Current Higher Degree by Research Federation University candidates should provide the following:

  • Email research.degrees@federation.edu.au expressing interest, and include:
    • Any publications produced or evidence of research performance**
    • Any awards or accolades
    • Any other relevant information - please provide any updated or new transcripts etc

Eligibility for current students

Current students must not have completed more than two years of candidature for a PhD or six months for a Masters by Research to qualify for an RTP Scholarship, as outlined in the Research Training Program Scholarship Policy.

**Evidence to support research performance can be provided via documented publications, exhibitions, and conference presentations which comply with DEST definitions of research outputs. Additional evidence can include awards and other means of recognition by appropriate external parties of research involvement, contribution and achievement.

Additional information

Conditions for receipt of a Research Training Program scholarship

  • Students are expected to commit to full-time study for the duration of their candidature.
  • Scholarships are for a period of three years for PhD students and 18 months for Masters by Research students (minus any completed candidature) and extension to scholarships will not be granted.
  • Successful scholarship applicants must participate in an internship period, if available to them.

General conditions for Federation University HDR Scholarships on the Graduate Research School website

RTP scholarships, administered by Federation University on behalf of the Australian government, provide an annual living allowance of $38,000 (Federation 2025 rate). This stipend is a flat rate over three years and is a tax-free scholarship. The stipend is paid on a fortnightly basis, commencing in the 2025 academic year.

The tenure of these awards is for a period of 18 months for a Master by Research and three years for PhD candidates. Extensions to the award are not available. Tenure of the award is reduced by any prior studies already completed by candidates in their HDR program prior to receiving an RTP scholarship. Please read the full Terms and conditions before applying.

Further information regarding eligibility and selection for scholarships is available on the Eligibility and selection for RTP Stipend Scholarships policy.

Please note that scholarship applications and candidature applications are assessed at the same time, however candidature-only offers are made after scholarships have been allocated. See 'Selection Timeline' below.

Selection

In the selection of applicants for allocation of RTP stipend scholarships across the Schools, the Graduate Research School strives to achieve a balance of gender, discipline and strategic considerations whilst ensuring that the criterion of academic merit of applicants is also addressed. The Graduate Research School Board (GRSB) will ensure that it operates in accord with the University's Fair and Transparent Decision-Making Guidelines.

Stipend scholarships are normally awarded to candidates seeking enrolment in doctoral degree programs. In some circumstances applicants seeking entry to Master by Research candidature may be awarded a stipend scholarship. The number of stipend scholarships awarded to masters applicants will be determined on an annual basis by the GRSB.

Selection timeline

  1. All RTP stipend scholarship applications will be assessed for eligibility for admission to candidature by the Graduate Research School from 31st October 2024.
  2. If eligible for admission to candidature, applications will be ranked for stipend scholarships.
  3. Successful stipend scholarship applicants will be notified in writing by mid-November 2024*.
  4. Applicants who are ineligible for candidature because they do not meet eligibility for admission for candidature requirements will be notified at the earliest opportunity.
  5. Applicants who are eligible for candidature but were unsuccessful in obtaining a stipend scholarship will be notified and asked if they wish to be considered for a PhD or Master by Research candidature supported by a RTP fee offset scholarship only.
  6. Offers of admission for applicants applying for candidature supported by an RTP fee-offset scholarship only, will be issued for those applicants who are approved by the Graduate Research School

*Application dates and details may change.

For further information on candidature, scholarships or any other matter relating to higher degrees by research, contact:

Graduate Research School
Federation University Australia
Phone: 03 5327 9508
Email: research.degrees@federation.edu.au