Postgraduate and Research Scholarships

Notre Dame provides diverse financial support initiatives for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, funded by internal and external sources in Australia.

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 Research Degree. 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. Stipends are awarded for three years, with the possibility of a maximum of one semester’s extension subject to satisfactory progress to completion.

    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.

    Eligibility

    Please refer to the Student Eligibility Requirements.

    Application closing date: Semester 2 RTP application will close on 10 May 2024.

    If the deadline has passed, HDR students can still apply for admission to the candidature only and apply for the scholarship as a current student per the eligibility above.

    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 Office for assistance.

    Current students

    Please complete the RTP Application Form and submit it to the Research Office 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.

External scholarships

Outside of the scholarships offered by Notre Dame, the following scholarships are offered externally. Students can access a number of external scholarships from organisations not affiliated with the University. It is recommended to visit the individual websites below to find out more information about the scholarship, including application and eligibility requirements. The University of Notre Dame Australia is not responsible for the contents of the linked websites.

  • External Funding Opportunities

    Postgraduate students are encouraged to browse through Notre Dame’s overview of postgraduate scholarships. Most scholarships will contribute to HDR research, some provide financial assistance in the form of a top-up scholarship or specifically for the postgraduate thesis write-up. Others present funding for internships and entrepreneur programs or the attendance of a Master Class.

    Postgraduate students enrolled in Notre Dame courses offered on the Broome campus are encouraged to check the range of scholarships and support schemes available for students in Aboriginal health and nursing. Further funding opportunities specifically for Indigenous students are also listed.

    The School of Medicine on Sydney campus presents an additional overview of Research Scholarships for postgraduate students and early career clinicians on offer by private, Commonwealth and international organisations and foundations for medical research and professional experiences. Please contact the Research Office for more information.

  • The Rhodes Scholarship

    The purpose of this postgraduate Scholarship is to enable exceptional all-round students to study at the University of Oxford. Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program. In Australia, one scholar is selected per state, with three additional scholars selected nationwide per year.

    For further information and for application details about the program, please visit the Rhodes Trust website or call Ms Carolyn Lonie on (08) 9433 0667 or email carolyn.lonie@nd.edu.au.

  • The John Monash Scholarship

    The purpose of this Scholarships is to assist outstanding Australian graduates who have demonstrated excellence in their field, leadership potential, and a vision for how they can contribute to a better Australia. 165 Scholars have been selected since the program began in 2004, enabling them to study at the world’s best universities.

    For further information and for application details about the program, please visit the General Sir John Monash Foundation website or call Ms Carolyn Lonie on (08) 9433 0667 or email carolyn.lonie@nd.edu.au.

  • The RG Menzies Scholarship

    The purpose of this Scholarship is to enable postgraduate study at Harvard University. Candidates for the Scholarship are Australian citizens whose primary objective, after completing their studies at Harvard, is to make a significant contribution to Australia's development.

    For further information and for application details about the program, please visit the Australian National University website or call Ms Carolyn Lonie on (08) 9433 0667 or email carolyn.lonie@nd.edu.au.

  • The Government of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship

    The purpose of this Scholarship is to assist applicants with the opportunity to undertake Diploma, Undergraduate Degree and Postgraduate Master's Degree at any one of the following institutions of higher education:

    • Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD);
    • Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA);
    • Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and;
    • Politeknik Brunei (PB).

    For further information and for application details please visit the Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

  • The Forrest Research Foundation PhD Scholarships

    The Forrest Research Foundation is offering up to 9 prestigious three-year PhD scholarships to outstanding researchers from around the world to conduct paradigm-shifting research at any of Western Australia's five universities.

    These generous scholarships provide all tuition fees, a stipend and accommodation at Forrest Hall in a luxury self-contained studio apartment; all valued at over AU$270,000. Within Forrest Hall, you will live amongst other scholars in a vibrant and inspiring research environment.

    Who can apply?

    Open to candidates of any nationality, working on any subject. You will require an outstanding academic track record (minimum GPA of 3.8/4.0), be a creative thinker, excellent communicator, passionate researcher and wish to join this elite group of exceptional Forrest Scholars. We are driven by excellence, inclusivity and innovation.

    For more information visit Forrest Research.