About Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Stipend Scholarship 2022-2023
Each year the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training provides funding to Universities to award scholarships to domestic and international students undertaking Higher Degree Research programs.
ANU currently conducts two annual central scholarship rounds which includes the AGRTP, the University Research Scholarship and a few other centrally managed scholarships.
Round 1 is split into two parts, one for international candidates and one for domestic candidates with separate deadlines (31 August for international candidates and 31 October for domestic candidates each year).
Round 1 is for commencements from the following year (January through to the end of March), however current candidates who recently commenced (enrolled typically for less than a year full-time equivalent) can also be considered by completing the ‘Request for a current ANU student to be considered for a HDR Scholarship form’.
Round 2 has a deadline of 15 April and is typically a smaller round with commencement or take up of the scholarship up to the end of August of the same year. When you complete your admission application for a HDR program you can select which scholarship you are interested to be considered for including the AGRTP.
There is no separate application form except for current candidates, through the above link. For any further details or exceptions due to COVID19 travel restrictions please see the below table on deadlines.
Australian Government Research Training Program Eligibility
The Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017 set the basis for the conditions of award and outline the basic eligibility requirements for this scholarship.
The ANU has established an RTP Policy & Procedure which outlines the standards, processes and conditions for this scholarship. These documents are available from the reference document section of this page.
Australian Government Research Training Program Selection Basis
Candidates are ranked and scholarships are awarded based on a competitive ranking process, to the top ranked candidates, subject to evidence they meet merit-based selection criteria, and subject to confirmation of a qualified supervisor, space and resources being available, in an area of research that is aligned with ANU research strategy.
Australian Government Research Training Program Benefits
Stipend scholarship for three years, with the possibility of: Six month standard extension; and Another six month extension if the reason for request falls within the additional eligibility criteria under Item 15.
Travel and removal allowances for students relocating to Canberra to commence their research program.
Thesis allowance Dependant child allowance (International students only).
Paid medical, maternity and parental leave (See sections 51-68 of the Research Training Program Scholarships procedure).
How to Apply Australian Government Research Training Program?
Commencing students: No application is required specifically for this scholarship as all eligible candidates will be considered. Note to ensure you are considered please ensure you select the appropriate boxes in the admissions application form to note that you are interested in being considered for any available scholarships.
Continuing students: Please complete and return the “Request for a Current ANU Student to be Considered for a HDR Scholarship” form to your Academic College.
Working outside the eligible HDR program
Students notify their Delegated Authority and Chair of Panel in writing of the extent of working arrangements they are undertaking alongside their eligible HDR program, upon commencement at ANU or within 20 working days of commencing working arrangements.
Deadlines for scholarship rounds
| Scholarship round | Admission application closing date | Commencement Year |
| 2023 Round 1 International | Closing 31 August 2022 | 2023 |
| 2023 Round 1 Domestic | Closing 31 October 2022 | 2023 |
| 2023 Round 2 International and Domestic | Closing 15 April 2023 | 2023 |
1. What is the Research Training Program (RTP)?
The RTP is a single flexible pool of funding to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees. From 1 January 2017, the RTP replaced Australian Postgraduate Awards, International Postgraduate Research Scholarships and the Research Training Scheme.
2. What forms of support can RTP recipients receive?
Section 1.6.1 of the rules states that a university must only provide one or more of the following types of support to an RTP Scholarship recipient: An RTP Fees Offset pays for the tuition fees of a higher degree by research (HDR) student that would otherwise have been paid by the student.
This requires that a university to fully offset tuition fee applicable for a student. This is not a stipend. An RTP Stipend to assist students with their living costs while undertaking a higher degree by research.
RTP Allowances to assist students with ancillary costs of a higher degree by research (HDR). This includes relocation costs to undertake a HDR, HDR thesis printing and academic publication costs and health cover costs for recipients and their dependents.
3. How do I apply for an RTP place?
Applications for a new RTP stipend, allowance or fees offset need to be made directly to a participating university. Universities are responsible for managing the RTP application, selection and offer process.
Students need to approach the scholarship office at their chosen university for direction on how to apply for the RTP and key deadline dates. The rules provide the legislative basis for universities to deliver the RTP scheme.
Information on commencing a postgraduate research degree and university course choices can be found on the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website.
The Study Assist website is another source of information for students seeking Australian Government assistance for financing tertiary study.
4. How are students expected to acknowledge the Commonwealth’s contribution in publications?
Section 1.6.55 of the RTP Guidelines sets out the requirement that the Commonwealth’s contribution is acknowledged in research publications by RTP students where related to a research project.
The acknowledgement must include mention of the student’s support through an “Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship” An example acknowledgement statement would be, “This research is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.”
5. Am I eligible to apply for the RTP?
Basic student eligibility requirements to receive an RTP Stipend, RTP Fees Offset or RTP Allowance are covered in Section 1.5 of the rules. For overseas students please note that there is a cap of 10 per cent on the amount of RTP funding that can be used to support overseas students.
Please note that universities are responsible for the application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships, so you will need to contact your chosen university’s postgraduate research office directly to discuss how to apply.
6. Where can I find further information about government financial assistance and university courses to undertake a postgraduate research degree in Australia?
The Study Assist website provides a one-stop shop for all information about Australian Government assistance available to help finance tertiary studies.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website provides students with a broad range of information about Australian universities, course options and postgraduate research.
7. Am I eligible for a Commonwealth funded postgraduate research scholarship if I am enrolling in a coursework degree?
No. To qualify for an RTP place a student must be undertaking a higher degree by research (research doctorate or research masters) for which at least two-thirds of the student’s time should be spent on research work at an approved university. Coursework degrees do not qualify as a higher degree by research.
8. What are RTP Stipend recipients entitled to?
Stipend recipients receive an annual stipend to assist with general living costs. The RTP stipend rate is effective from 1 January 2017 and will be updated every year.
All RTP students must receive at least the published minimum annual RTP stipend amount from 1 January of the relevant calendar year, unless the student has commenced late, suspended or terminated in that year (refer section 1.6.10 and 1.6.45 of the rules). The stipend rate is available on the Research Training Program webpage.
9. Can I apply to the RTP at more than one university, or more than once at the same university?
There are no restrictions that prevent a student from applying for a RTP place at more than one university, or more than once at the same university.
10. I have not attained a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours. Am I eligible for a RTP place?
There are no restrictions that would prevent someone without First Class Honours from receiving support from the RTP. In determining its selection process, a university may consider previous study, relevant work experience, research publications, referees’ reports and other research experience. Ultimately the application, selection, and offer process for the RTP is at the discretion of the university.
11. Am I eligible for the RTP if I have previously completed a higher degree by research?
There are no restrictions that would prevent someone who has previously completed a higher degree by research from receiving support from the RTP.
In determining its selection process, a university may consider previous academic experience as a factor. Ultimately the application, selection, and offer process for the RTP is at the discretion of the university.
12. I have received an RTP place in the past however withdrew from the degree prior to completion. Can I apply for another RTP place?
There are no restrictions that would prevent someone who has previously received support from the RTP. In determining its selection process, a university may consider previous academic experience as a factor.
Ultimately the application, selection, and offer process for the RTP is at the discretion of the university.
