University of Sydney, Australian Government Scholarship
Funded by Australian Government, this scholarship provides free tuition fees & stipend to international postgraduate students
Funded by the Australian government and valued at up to $124,000, the Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships provide a tuition fee offset and a living-costs stipend to high quality international postgraduate students.
The scholarships are awarded in February and November. Therefore, you must submit all required documentation for your admission application, and Research Experience evidence (if applicable) to be considered in the relevant award timeline. Please note that you may be notified of your RTP scholarship outcome at a different time to receiving your offer of study.
Refer to the application and award timeline table below for details.
RTP scholarships are based on academic merit and are highly competitive. You will generally need to have an outstanding academic record, and any research publications will also be highly regarded.
Current students can apply here.
Commencing students should select the check box to be considered for research scholarships when completing the admission application for your postgraduate research degree. A separate application is not required.
Refer to the documents for applicants for details of selection criteria, process, and additional documentation required if applicable.
Application and award timeline
See on the application link below
New students must complete the RTP submission, along with their course application, by the submission deadline. Current HDR students will need to submit a separate application.
Current students must refer to the relevant document submission date for international cohorts to be considered in the relevant upcoming rounds.
Benefits
The RTP stipends are valued at $35,950 per annum (2023 rate). The RTP International Scholarship provides a stipend to assist with living costs and overseas health cover as well as tuition fees offsets (i.e. no tuition fees are applicable).
To be eligible
You must:
be a commencing or enrolled international postgraduate research student
have an outstanding record of academic achievement and research potential
have an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled in a master’s by research or PhD at the University of Sydney.
Eligibilities
1. Applicants must be an international student at the time of award.
2. Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend International Scholarship (‘the Scholarship’) holders are expected to enroll in a full-time postgraduate research degree. The relevant Associate Dean (Research Education) may approve a part-time RTP Scholarship* where the University is satisfied that there are special circumstances beyond the student’s control (for example medical conditions, financial hardship, career’s responsibilities).
A part-time scholarship may have tax implications and student should seek tax advice from registered tax agents.
3. Applicants must apply to be considered for RTP Scholarships at the time of their application for admission to their HDR Course and must submit the required supporting material in the manner specified on the Scholarships Office website. Applicants who have already commenced their HDR candidature must apply by completing the application form available on the Scholarships Office website.
Tenure
4. The Scholarship may be held for up to 14 research periods (full time) for Research Doctorate studies, or for up to 7 research periods for Research Masters studies. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the award will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the award.
5. No extensions are possible.
6. A student is expected to commence the Scholarship by the census date of their commencing intake, and during the year the Scholarship is awarded. If a student has commenced their studies, the scholarship may commence immediately.
7. A recipient may defer their RTP Scholarship for up to one research period with the approval of:
a. their supervisor; and
b. the relevant Associate Dean (Research Education).
8. RTP Stipends may be provided for the duration of an approved industry placement, research internship or professional practice activity (as stated in clause 32 of this document) if:
a. the recipient already holds, and remains eligible for, a RTP Stipend;
b. no other income is received from these activities; and
c. the maximum duration of the RTP Stipend has not been reached.
Stipend and Allowances
9. Holders of the Scholarship who enroll full time will receive a stipend of $35,950 per annum (2023 rate), indexed annually on 1 January.
10. A student who relocates from countries outside Australia to take up the Scholarship may claim a relocation allowance. The value of the allowance is up to $1,250 travel from their home country to Sydney at the commencement of studies and up to $1,250 for travel to return to their home country after successful completion of studies.
11. Students who had commenced their postgraduate research degree studies in Australia prior to the scholarship being awarded are not entitled to claim relocation allowance for travel to Australia. Students who become a permanent resident of Australia are not entitled to claim travel allowance to return to their home country.
12. Reimbursement of up to $420 for Masters candidates and up to $840 for Doctoral candidates will be made for eligible claims for direct costs of producing a thesis in accordance with the University’s thesis allowance claim information. The claim must be lodged with the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC – hdrac.scholarships@sydney.edu.au) within one year of submission of the thesis and no more than two years after termination of the award. Costs associated with printing a thesis are not eligible as printed thesis is no longer required for submission and examination.
13. Holders of the Scholarship may receive a concurrent award, scholarship or salary to undertake their research degree provided such award, scholarship or salary provides a benefit less than 75% of the Scholarship. The Scholarship will be terminated if this limit is exceeded. Salary for work unrelated to the student’s research is not subject to this limit.
Selection Criteria
14. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:
a. academic merit,
b. research experience,
c. availability of a high quality research environment and resources to support the candidature, and
d. availability of high quality supervisory arrangements to support the candidature
15. Preference may be given to applicants who:
a. identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney policy,
b. have not previously received an Australian Government or University Scholarship to complete an HDR course at the same level,
c. have not previously completed an HDR course at the same level of study.
16. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the Higher Degrees by Research Scholarships Sub-Committee (HDRSSC) on the recommendation of the Faculty.
The University of Sydney will notify applicants of the outcome of their RTP Scholarship application by email to the student’s University email address (for current students), or the preferred email address contained in the student’s application for admission.
