The Australian National University (ANU) offers the prestigious Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship, which provides generous financial support to outstanding domestic and international students undertaking Higher Degree Research (HDR) programmes.
This fully competitive scholarship helps cover living costs while you focus on your research in an area aligned with ANU’s strategic priorities.
What is the ANU RTP Stipend Scholarship?
Funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, the RTP Scholarship supports high-achieving students in research degrees. ANU awards these scholarships through two central annual rounds, alongside the University Research Scholarship and other centrally managed awards.
Successful candidates are selected through a competitive ranking process based on academic merit. Awards are subject to:
- Meeting merit-based selection criteria
- Availability of a qualified supervisor
- Sufficient space, resources, and alignment with ANU’s research strategy
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Australian National University RTP Scholarship 2026, applicants must:
- Be a domestic or international student
- Be applying to undertake a Higher Degree Research (HDR) programme (Master’s by Research or PhD) at ANU
- Meet the entry requirements for the chosen HDR programme
- Satisfy ANU’s English language proficiency requirements
Indigenous or First Nations HDR candidates receive the maximum RTP stipend rate where applicable.
Benefits of the ANU RTP Stipend Scholarship
The scholarship provides significant financial support, including:
- Annual stipend: AUD $39,069 (full-time base rate for 2026), paid fortnightly
- Duration: Up to 3.5 years (with possible extensions in specific cases)
- Travel and removal allowances for students relocating to Canberra
- Thesis allowance
- Dependent child allowance (for international students only)
- Paid medical, maternity, and parental leave
- Full tuition fee offset (for international students, this may also include Overseas Student Health Cover reimbursement)
Note: Extensions may be available (up to six months in certain cases related to approved internships or academic delays), subject to the ANU RTP procedure.
Important Scholarship Rounds and Deadlines for 2026
ANU runs two main scholarship rounds each year:
- Round 1 (Main Round):
- International applicants: 31 August each year (for commencement by 31 March the following year)
- Domestic applicants: 31 October each year (for commencement by 31 March the following year)
- Round 2 (International and Domestic): 15 April each year (for commencement by 31 August the same year)
Applications must be complete, including all supporting documents and referee reports, by the relevant deadline. It is strongly recommended to submit your application 2–3 weeks early to allow time for referee reports.
Tip: Round 2 is typically smaller, so Round 1 offers the best chance for most applicants.
How to Apply for the ANU RTP Scholarship (Step-by-Step)
No separate scholarship application form is required for commencing students. All eligible applicants who apply for admission will be automatically considered if they indicate their interest in scholarships.
Follow these simple steps:
- Contact a prospective supervisor — Before applying, reach out to a potential supervisor in your research area at ANU. This is strongly encouraged.
- Apply for admission to your chosen Master’s by Research or PhD programme at ANU via the official ANU application portal.
- Indicate your interest in scholarships — In the admissions application form, select the appropriate boxes to be considered for the RTP Stipend Scholarship and any other available scholarships.
- Submit all required documents — Ensure your application includes academic transcripts, research proposal (if required), CV, and referee reports. Referee reports are triggered automatically upon submission.
- Meet the deadline — Submit your complete admission application well before the relevant scholarship round closing date.
For current ANU HDR students (usually enrolled for less than one year full-time equivalent): Complete and submit the “Request for a Current ANU Student to be Considered for a HDR Scholarship” form to your Academic College.