Pursue Your Research Dreams: Australian Government Scholarship Research Training Programme 2024 Offers Support for Research Degrees
The Australian Government Scholarship Research Training Programme (RTP) is designed to provide block grants to higher education providers (HEPs) in support of domestic and overseas students pursuing research degrees.
These degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs), encompass research doctorate and research masters degrees.
The RTP aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills for careers in academia and other sectors, foster collaboration between HEPs and industry, and support overseas students studying HDRs in Australia.
Objectives of the Australian Government Scholarship Research Training Programme
The key objectives of the RTP include:
- Flexible Funding Arrangements: The programme provides funding flexibility to support the training of domestic and overseas students pursuing HDRs at Australian HEPs.
- Career Development: Delivering graduates with the skills required to build successful careers in academia and various sectors of the labor market.
- Collaboration and Research End-Users: Facilitating collaboration between HEPs and industry, as well as other research end-users, to drive innovation and mutual benefits.
Scholarship Offerings for Students
The RTP offers Research Training Program Scholarships that may include the following:
- Tuition Fee Offset: Scholarships covering a portion or the full amount of tuition fees.
- Stipend for Living Costs: Financial support to cover general living expenses.
- Allowances: Additional allowances to assist with ancillary costs related to research degrees.
Research Masters Students
Domestic and overseas students enrolled in an accredited HDR course at an Australian HEP can be offered RTP Scholarships for research masters degrees.
The period of support for research masters degrees is a maximum of 2 years.
Research Doctorate Students
RTP Scholarships are available for research doctorate degrees. The period of support is a minimum of 3 years, up to a maximum of 4 years, as determined by the HEP.
Application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships are administered by individual HEPs. Prospective students should directly contact their chosen HEP’s postgraduate research office for application details.
Research Training Program Industry Internship Weighting
The RTP introduced an industry internship weighting in the 2021-2022 Budget.
This weighting, incorporated into the existing HDR completions weightings, applies to research doctorate students who have completed an eligible industry internship.
Eligible internships should be at least 3 months long, consisting of 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement, and agreed upon in writing with a research end-user within specific timeframes.
The internship weighting encourages early engagement between industry, HEPs, and research doctorate students, fostering strong links between research and industry innovation.
It also enhances the employment prospects of research doctorate students in non-academic roles within industry.
Guidelines, Conditions, and Calculations
Funding for the RTP is provided through annual research block grants to eligible Australian HEPs under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).
The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 outline the legislative basis and conditions for RTP grant amounts, which are allocated to participating providers based on research performance.
Research Training Program Stipend Rates
The stipend rates for the RTP vary each year. The full-time base and maximum RTP stipend rates are determined annually and announced by 1st October, becoming effective from 1st January of the following year.
Application Process for the Australian Government Scholarship Research Training Programme
HEPs are responsible for the application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships.
Prospective candidates should directly contact their chosen HEP’s postgraduate research office to obtain information on how to apply.
A list of eligible HEPs can be found in Table A and B of the Higher Education Support Act.