The Australian National University is Australia's most research-intensive university — and the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship is how it funds the world's best research students to do a PhD or research master's there without worrying about money. The scholarship pairs a generous tax-free living stipend (A$40,475 a year at the 2027 rate) with full tuition coverage through the RTP Fee Offset, plus health cover for international students. And the best part: there's no separate application — you're considered automatically when you apply for your research degree.
In short: The ANU RTP Scholarship 2027 provides A$40,475 per year plus full tuition coverage, health cover, and allowances for PhD and Master of Philosophy students at the Australian National University, open to domestic and international applicants. The Round 1 international deadline of 31 August 2026 has passed, but the domestic Round 1 closes 31 October 2026 and Round 2 (all applicants) closes 15 April 2027 — so there are still open windows.
● Applications Closed
Quick Overview
- Host Country: Australia (Canberra)
- Host Institution: The Australian National University (ANU)
- Degree Level: PhD and Master of Philosophy (HDR programs)
- Program Duration: Up to 3.5 years for PhD (possible 6-month extension); up to 2 years for MPhil
- Funding Type: Fully funded — stipend + tuition fee offset + health cover + allowances
- Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 (Round 1 domestic); 15 Apr 2027 (Round 2, all applicants)
Benefits of the ANU RTP Scholarship 2027
This is the Australian Government's flagship research funding, and it's genuinely comprehensive:
- A$40,475 annual stipend — The 2027 full-time base RTP stipend rate, paid fortnightly as a living allowance. It's indexed every year, so it keeps pace over your candidature.
- Full tuition coverage — The RTP Fee Offset covers your tuition fees for the standard duration of your HDR program (up to four years for a PhD), recommended if you're ranked competitively in the merit process.
- Health cover for international students — Eligible for reimbursement of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), including for your spouse and dependents.
- Travel and removal allowances — Help with relocating to Canberra to start your research program.
- Thesis allowance — Funding towards thesis production costs.
- Dependent child allowance — International recipients can receive up to $3,000 per year per dependent child (maximum $9,000) living with them in Canberra.
- Paid leave — Paid medical, maternity, and parental leave, plus the ability to suspend the scholarship.
- Internship extensions — Scholarships can be extended by up to 6 months for eligible long internships (over 60 days full-time equivalent).
Eligibility Criteria for the ANU RTP Scholarship 2027
- Domestic or international student — Open to all nationalities, including Australian citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants.
- Enrolled in an HDR program — You must be admitted to (or applying for) a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy at ANU.
- Competitive academic merit — Selection is by competitive ranking based on academic excellence, research output, and prior research experience. In practice, this means a strong honours or master's record.
- A confirmed supervisor and resourced project — Your award is subject to confirmation of a qualified supervisor, available space and resources, and a research area aligned with ANU's research strategy.
- English language proficiency — You must meet ANU's English language requirements for HDR admission (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent), though no separate scholarship English test exists.
- Industry PhD exclusion — You can't hold this if you're an Industry PhD candidate receiving a full-time salary.
How to Apply for the ANU RTP Scholarship 2027
1. Find your supervisor early. This is the single most important step. Contact ANU academics in your research area months ahead, share your CV and a draft research proposal, and get an agreement to supervise before you apply. 2. Apply for HDR admission. Submit your application for admission to the PhD or MPhil program through ANU's online admissions system — this is your scholarship application too. 3. Tick the scholarship boxes. In the admission application, select the option indicating you want to be considered for available scholarships (including the RTP Stipend). No separate scholarship form is needed. 4. Submit a complete application. Everything — transcripts, CV, research proposal, referee reports — must be complete by the round deadline. Incomplete applications aren't ranked. 5. Current ANU students apply separately. If you're already an ANU HDR student, submit the "Request for a Current ANU Student to be Considered for an HDR Scholarship" form through your Academic College. 6. Meet the round deadline. For the biggest awards, the main rounds are: Round 1 International by 31 August of the year before commencement; Round 1 Domestic by 31 October; Round 2 (all applicants) by 15 April.
Required Documents
- Complete HDR admission application through ANU's online system
- Academic transcripts from all prior degrees
- Research proposal
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Referee reports (must be submitted by the deadline)
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
- Evidence of prior research output, publications, or research experience (for competitive ranking)
ANU RTP Scholarship 2027 Deadline
Here's the part that matters most, because ANU runs two scholarship rounds a year:
- Round 1 – International: closed 31 August 2026 (for commencement Jan–Mar 2027). This was the main international round — the largest one.
- Round 1 – Domestic: 31 October 2026 (for commencement Jan–Mar 2027) — still open for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
- Round 2 – International and Domestic: 15 April 2027 (for commencement by 31 August 2027) — open to everyone, but normally smaller than Round 1.
Round 2 has fewer awards, so if you're an international applicant who missed the 31 August deadline, apply in Round 2 anyway — but also consider preparing early for the next Round 1 (31 August 2027) for 2028 commencement, which is the biggest intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ANU RTP Scholarship really fully funded?
Yes. Recipients get the A$40,475 annual stipend plus tuition fee coverage via the RTP Fee Offset, OSHC reimbursement for international students, and relocation, thesis, and dependent-child allowances. It covers essentially the full cost of doing your PhD.
Is there a separate application for the RTP Scholarship?
No — and that's a common point of confusion. For new applicants, there's no separate scholarship form: you're automatically considered when you apply for HDR admission and tick the scholarship boxes. Only current ANU HDR students use a separate request form.
What is the current stipend amount?
The official ANU 2027 full-time base RTP stipend rate is A$40,475 per annum. The stipend is indexed each year on 1 January, and Indigenous and First Nations HDR candidates receive the maximum RTP stipend rate.
Who can apply — are international students eligible?
Absolutely. The RTP is open to domestic and international students of all nationalities — the only difference is that international students also get OSHC reimbursement and the dependent child allowance.
How competitive is it?
Very. Candidates are ranked competitively on academic merit, research output, and prior research experience, and awards depend on supervisor availability, space, and alignment with ANU's research strategy. You need a strong honours or master's record plus evidence of research capability.
Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?
Effectively, yes. Your award is conditional on confirmation of a qualified supervisor with space and resources in your research area. Contacting potential supervisors months before the deadline is the most important thing you can do.
How long does the funding last?
Up to 3.5 years for a PhD, with a possible 6-month extension (plus internship-related extensions). MPhil candidates are funded for up to 2 years.
Can I work part-time while on the scholarship?
The stipend is for full-time study; limited part-time work is generally allowed under ANU policy, but the scholarship is designed so you don't need to. Check the conditions of award for current rules.
What's the difference between the RTP Stipend and the RTP Fee Offset?
The stipend is the living allowance paid to you fortnightly. The fee offset covers your tuition fees separately. Top-ranked candidates typically receive both — the full package.
I missed the 31 August international deadline. What now?
Apply in Round 2 by 15 April 2027 anyway (smaller intake, but real awards), and simultaneously start preparing for the next Round 1 international round (31 August 2027 for 2028 commencement). Use the extra time to strengthen your proposal and supervisor relationships.
Final Words
The ANU RTP is one of the cleanest, most generous PhD funding packages in Australia — no separate application, a strong stipend, and full tuition covered. The main international round for 2027 entry has closed, but October and April deadlines are still live. If Canberra and a world-class research environment sound like your kind of challenge, get your application together.
