Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

The Australian Government RTP scheme provides funding for domestic and international students to undertake a higher degree by research at Notre Dame.

The scheme consists of three types of scholarships to be used for:

• Tuition fees offset

  Domestic students with an offer in an HDR course at Notre Dame are exempt from having to contribute towards the cost of these courses. Notre Dame automatically assesses the eligibility for domestic students, and no application is required for this category. Recipients are exempt from paying fees for their program for a maximum of four years full-time equivalent study for a Doctoral research degree, and two years full-time equivalent study for a Master's research degree.

  International students can also apply for financial support through the Australian Government RTP, but a Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship is only available competitively.

• Stipend

  This scholarship can assist HDR students with general living costs while undertaking a HDR program and the 2026 rate is $36,862 per annum. Stipend Scholarships are available to domestic and international HDR students on a competitive basis. New HDR and currently enrolled research students can apply for a Stipend Scholarship.

  Please find further information below in the Stipend scholarships section for information on how to apply.

• Allowance

  This Scholarship can assist students with ancillary costs related to a Research Degree at Notre Dame. Applications for Allowances are approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research (or delegate). Examples of allowances for consideration are research degree thesis printing and academic publication costs, relocation costs to undertake the research degree or a standard Overseas Health Cover policy for international students.

• Applying for a scholarship

  The University offers the Australian Government RTP Scholarship through a competitive process.

  Application closing date:

  The application for Semester 1, 2027 is now open and will close on 28 Aug 2026.

  If you are applying for admissions and the RTP stipend, you must go through the Expression of Interest (EoI) process, be invited to apply, and lodge an admission application by this date. If you are a current Notre Dame HDR student, please see under “Current students”.

  Selection process

  The application is assessed competitively, based on the quality of the applicant (such as academic performance/evidence of research capability/relevant professional experience/quality of research project, alignment with the University Research Plan and Transformative Research Themes, Quality of the supervisory team, such as a record of successful supervision, supervisory load and complementary expertise. All scholarship applications will go through the UNDA selection process, and the applicants will be advised of the outcome.

  Prospective students

  Please indicate “Yes” to “Are you interested in applying for a scholarship?” on your Expression of Interest Form, and the application will be automatically considered for RTP fees offset and stipend. If “Yes” was not selected but you wish to be considered for a scholarship, please contact Research Services for assistance.

  Current students

  Please complete the relevant RTP Application Form (Domestic or International) and submit it to the Research Services by the Scholarship application closing date. You are requested to provide your progress for confirmation of candidature and progress review. Please attach these documents to your application. If you are unable to attach these, please provide the reason.

  Please contact hdr@nd.edu.au.

The Australian Government RTP Scholarship procedures and awards for all three types of scholarships are at the discretion of each individual University.