For students: The Research Training Program RTP scheme is administered by individual universities on behalf of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Applications for RTP Scholarships need to be made directly to participating universities. Each university has its own application and selection process, please contact your chosen university directly to discuss how to apply for the RTP scheme.
Information on commencing a postgraduate research degree and university courses can be found on the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website. General information about the support arrangements for students may be obtained from the Study Assist website. Frequently asked questions for students are also available.
For university administrators: Frequently asked questions for university administrators are available.
Temporary measures for the Research Training Program during the coronavirus pandemic
The Government is enacting two temporary measures to provide funding certainty to higher education providers (HEPs) and more flexibility to support students with RTP scholarships.
RTP scholarships can currently be provided for a period of between three and four years for Research Doctorate students and up to two years for Research Masters students. Temporary measures will allow HEPs to provide students with RTP scholarship extensions of up to six months for students whose research activities have been materially adversely impacted by coronavirus restrictions. This new provision will only be available to current students, enrolled as at 1 March 2020, and at the discretion of HEPs. This will enable HEPs to support eligible research doctorate students for a maximum period of four years and six months and research masters students for up to two years and six months.
The current research block grants transitional arrangements are scheduled to cease at the end of 2020. The arrangements for RTP consist 75 per cent of RTP funding is based on a HEP’s previous year’s allocations, with the remaining 25 per cent determined by applying the funding formulae. These transitional arrangements will be extended by 12 months until 31 December 2021.
More information can be found in the frequently asked questions to assist students and university administrators.
Overview
The RTP provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to HEPs to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs).
The objectives of the RTP scheme are to:
Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:
RTP scholarships are available to domestic and overseas students enrolled in an accredited HDR course at an Australian HEP. RTP scholarships are available for a maximum period of two years for a research masters. Under temporary arrangements being enacted in 2020 to reduce impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, this maximum period is being extended to two years and six months (full-time students), at the discretion of HEPs.
RTP scholarships are available for a research doctorate degree for a minimum of three years, up to a maximum of four years, at the discretion of the HEP. Under temporary arrangements being enacted in 2020 to reduce impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, this maximum period is being extended to four years and six months (full-time students), at the discretion of HEPs.
Guidelines and conditions
Australian government funding is provided through annual block grants to eligible Australian HEPs in accordance with section 46-20 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).
The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 provides the legislative basis for the provision of funding to this program.
2020 RTP details and conditions of grant are also available.
The 2020 RTP grant amounts to participating providers is based on a formula that is reflective of their overall research performance.
Process for determining RTP grant amounts
The process for determining the basic RTP grant amount for a higher education provider can be found in Research Block Grants – Calculation Methodology.
RTP Stipend Rates
Each year, the range for RTP stipend rates for the following year will be announced by 1 October. The RTP stipend rate range is effective from 1 January. The table below details current and recent RTP stipend rates.
Historical Australian Postgraduate Award stipend rates are also available.
Application process
Universities are responsible for the application and selection processes for RTP Scholarships, so prospective candidates will need to contact their chosen university's postgraduate research office directly to discuss how to apply. The list of eligible universities is available in Table A and B of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
HDR Grievance Factsheet
The department has released a factsheet designed to assist HDR students, including RTP Scholarship recipients, to navigate the different avenues available to pursue a grievance in regards to internal university issues.
To be eligible for a RTP Stipend, RTP Fees Offset or RTP Allowance, a student must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited HDR course of study at an Australian HEP. The basic eligibility criteria for an RTP are listed in Section 1.5 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment works to ensure Australians can experience the wellbeing and economic benefits that quality education, skills and employment provide.
Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s primary focus is to equip Australians — at all life and career stages — with knowledge, skills and attributes to live well, thrive at work and contribute to community life.
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