2026 Australia Government Research Training Programs (RTP) – Complete Guide for HDR Students and Universities

The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government initiative designed to support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students at eligible Australian universities.

Administered by the Australian Government under the Department of Education, the RTP provides financial assistance to both domestic and international research students.

This guide outlines RTP scholarship eligibility, funding structure, stipend rates, industry internship incentives, and application processes.

Overview of the Research Training Program (RTP)

The RTP provides funding to eligible Higher Education Providers (HEPs) to support:

• Research doctorate (PhD) programs
• Research master’s degrees
• Industry engagement during HDR studies

Key Objectives of the RTP

The program aims to:

• Provide flexible funding to universities for HDR training
• Support both domestic and overseas students
• Develop graduates with skills for careers in:
  • Academia
  • Industry
  • Government
  • Non-academic sectors
• Strengthen collaboration between universities and industry

In 2017, the RTP replaced the:

• Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
• International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS)
• Research Training Scheme (RTS)

RTP Scholarship Types

Eligible students may receive one or more of the following:

• RTP Fees Offset – Covers tuition fees
• RTP Stipend – Assists with general living costs
• RTP Allowances – Covers ancillary costs related to HDR study

Under the Higher Education Support (Commonwealth Scholarships) Guidelines 2025, these components collectively form an RTP Scholarship.

RTP Scholarship Duration

Scholarship periods vary depending on degree type and study load.

Research Doctorate (PhD)

• Full-time: Minimum 3 years, maximum 4 years
• Part-time: Minimum 6 years, maximum 8 years

Research Master’s Degree

• Full-time: Up to 2 years
• Part-time: Up to 4 years

Period of Support Conditions

• Leave such as approved recreation or personal leave does not extend the scholarship period
• Approved suspensions and certain paid leave types (e.g., parental leave) may extend the period of support

How to Apply for an RTP Scholarship

RTP scholarships are administered directly by universities, not by the Department of Education.

Important Application Information

• Students must contact their chosen eligible HEP directly
• Each university has its own application and selection process
• Applications may be submitted to multiple universities
• Applications cannot be made through the Department

Prospective HDR students should consult RTP FAQs provided by universities for detailed guidance.

RTP Funding and Grant Allocation

Funding is distributed to universities through annual block grants under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).

How RTP Grants Are Calculated

Grant amounts are based on a performance formula reflecting:

• Research income attracted by the university
• HDR student completions

A detailed calculation methodology is available through Department resources.

RTP Stipend Rates (2024–2026)

RTP stipend rates are indexed annually and announced by 1 October each year for the following calendar year.

Year	Full-Time Base Stipend	Full-Time Maximum Stipend
2026	$34,315	$53,608
2025	$33,511	$52,352
2024	$32,192	$50,291

These rates apply from 1 January of the respective year.

RTP Industry Internship Weighting

Introduced in the 2021–22 Federal Budget, the RTP Industry Internship Weighting encourages stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and research doctorate students.

Key Features

• Additional weighting of 2.0 in the RTP funding formula
• Applies to research doctorate students who complete an eligible internship
• Designed to:
  • Promote industry engagement
  • Strengthen research translation into innovation
  • Improve non-academic employment pathways

Internship Eligibility Requirements

An eligible internship must:

• Be at least 3 months in duration
• Include 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement
• Be agreed in writing between:
  • The student
  • The university (HEP)
  • The research end-user
• Be formalised within:
  • 18 months of enrolment (full-time)
  • 36 months (part-time)

Universities and industry partners have flexibility in structuring internship arrangements within these eligibility requirements.

Acknowledging RTP Funding

The RTP now has a Digital Object Identifier (DOI):
doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220

From 3 December 2025, RTP-supported students must acknowledge Commonwealth support in research outputs using the prescribed wording:

“This research was supported by the Commonwealth through an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship [DOI: https://doi.org/10.82133/C42F-K220].”

ORCID Requirement

• Students with an ORCID profile must include the RTP DOI
• Students are not required to create an ORCID if they do not already have one

Other persistent identifiers may also be used.

HDR Grievance Support

The HDR grievance factsheet provides guidance for HDR students, including RTP recipients, on resolving disputes or concerns with their university.

Further Information and Enquiries

Students and administrators seeking additional information should consult:

• RTP FAQs for students
• RTP FAQs for administrators
• RTP Industry Internship Weighting FAQs

For direct enquiries:
RBGrants@education.gov.au

Summary

The Research Training Program (RTP) is a cornerstone of Australia’s higher education research funding system. By supporting tuition, living expenses, and industry engagement opportunities, the program ensures HDR students are well-equipped for academic and professional careers.

Prospective students should contact eligible universities directly to explore scholarship opportunities and application processes.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the scholarships. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.