Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship 2026 @CQUniversity Australia

CQUniversity Australia has officially opened applications for the highly competitive Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 2026, a prestigious fully funded research scholarship supported by the Australian Government.

The RTP Stipend Scholarship is designed to support outstanding domestic and international students pursuing a Research Higher Degree (RHD) at CQUniversity Australia. The scholarship provides substantial financial assistance to help students cover their living expenses while conducting advanced research studies in Australia.

With a scholarship value of AUD $38,000 per annum for up to three years, this opportunity offers talented researchers the chance to focus fully on their academic and research goals within one of Australia’s leading regional universities.

The scholarship remains open throughout the year, and applicants are encouraged to begin discussions early with potential supervisors and research teams.

About the CQUniversity RTP Stipend Scholarship

The Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government and administered through CQUniversity Australia.

The scholarship supports students undertaking higher degree research programs by providing a living allowance stipend paid fortnightly through the university payroll system.

In addition to the living stipend, domestic students who receive the RTP Stipend Scholarship will also automatically receive an RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, which fully covers tuition fees during the scholarship period.

This scholarship is part of Australia’s broader initiative to strengthen research excellence, innovation, and academic development across universities.

Scholarship Summary

Scholarship Details

• Host Institution: CQUniversity Australia
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded Research Scholarship
• Funding Organization: Australian Government
• Scholarship Value: AUD $38,000 per annum
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Number of Scholarships Available: 5
• Study Level: Research Higher Degree (RHD)
• Eligible Applicants: Domestic and International Students
• Study Location: Australia

Scholarship Benefits

The RTP Stipend Scholarship provides substantial financial and academic support to selected candidates.

Benefits Include:

1. Annual stipend of AUD $38,000
2. Financial support for living expenses
3. Opportunity to study and conduct research in Australia
4. Access to world-class research facilities and supervision
5. Automatic RTP Fees Offset Scholarship for domestic students
6. Tuition fee coverage for eligible domestic students
7. Long-term research and academic career development opportunities
8. Exposure to international research networks and collaborations
9. Fortnightly scholarship payments through the university payroll system
10. Opportunity to contribute to high-impact research projects

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the RTP Stipend Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements outlined in the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines (Research) 2017.

Eligible Candidates

Applicants must be:

• Domestic students, or
• International students enrolled in an accredited Research Higher Degree course at CQUniversity

Income Restrictions

To remain eligible for the RTP Stipend:

• Applicants must not receive another source of income supporting general living costs if the income exceeds 75% of the RTP Stipend rate.
• Income unrelated to the research program is not considered in eligibility assessments.

Tuition Scholarship Restriction

Applicants are not eligible for an RTP Fees Offset Scholarship if they already receive another equivalent Commonwealth scholarship intended to offset research tuition fees.

Selection Criteria

The RTP Stipend Scholarship is highly competitive and awarded based on academic merit and research potential.

CQUniversity uses a Scholarship Assessment Scale consisting of three major performance categories.

Assessment Categories

1. Academic Achievement and Writing Skills (0–20 points)

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence
• Research writing quality
• Publications and academic outputs
• Overall academic achievements

2. Quality of Research Project and Alignment with University Priorities (0–15 points)

Assessment focuses on:

• Research proposal quality
• Innovation and originality
• Alignment with CQUniversity research priority areas
• Potential research impact

3. Motivation, Research Experience, and Research Environment (0–15 points)

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong research motivation
• Previous research experience
• Capacity to succeed in research training
• Supportive supervisory and research environment

How to Apply

Unlike many scholarship programs, there is no direct application process for the RTP Scholarship.

Application Process

Step 1: Discuss with a Supervisory Team

Interested applicants must first discuss their research interests and scholarship intentions with a potential supervisory team at CQUniversity.

Step 2: Recommendation by Supervisors

Based on the recommendation of the supervisory team, prospective applicants may then be invited by the School of Graduate Research to submit a formal application.

Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents

Applicants invited to apply must provide all required supporting documentation.

Required Supporting Documents

Applications must include:

1. Written submission
2. Supporting academic documents
3. Any additional documentation requested by CQUniversity

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Assessment Rounds

Although applications remain open throughout the year, CQUniversity may conduct multiple scholarship assessment rounds annually depending on scholarship availability.

Typical Assessment Round Deadlines

Assessment rounds are generally scheduled around:

• End of April
• End of September

However, the timing and number of rounds may vary from year to year.

Following each assessment round:

• Applications are reviewed
• Successful applicants are selected
• Candidates are notified via email

Important Dates

Scholarship Opening Date

31 December 2025

Scholarship Closing Date

31 December 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin contacting potential supervisors early to improve their chances of consideration.

Why You Should Apply

The CQUniversity RTP Stipend Scholarship is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring researchers seeking fully funded postgraduate education in Australia.

The scholarship not only removes financial barriers but also provides access to:

• Advanced research training
• Expert supervision
• International academic exposure
• Career development opportunities
• Global research collaborations

Whether your goal is an academic career, research leadership, innovation, or industry impact, the RTP Scholarship can provide the resources and support necessary to achieve your ambitions.

Official Scholarship Link

For complete scholarship details and official information, visit the CQUniversity Australia scholarship page.

 

There are no direct applications for RTP Scholarships. Please discuss your interest in an RHD Scholarship with your supervisory team. Prospective applicants will be invited by the School of Graduate Research to complete an application, based on the recommendation of the supervisory team.

Depending on the availability of RTP stipend scholarships, CQUniversity may conduct more than one assessment round within the calendar year. These rounds are typically scheduled to close at the end of April and September; however, the timing and number of rounds cannot be guaranteed and may vary from year to year. Applications remain open throughout the year.

Following the close of each assessment round, applications will be reviewed and applicants will be notified of the outcome via email.

Applicants will be notified by email when the scholarships have been awarded.

 

Learn More

• For more information about this opportunity, Click here

• More global Scholarship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here