The Australian National University RTP Scholarship 2026 is one of the best fully funded research scholarships in Australia for high-achieving students who want to study at a top-ranked university. The scholarship is offered through the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and supports students pursuing a Higher Degree Research program at the Australian National University (ANU). This opportunity is open to both domestic and international students. It is designed for applicants with strong academic records, solid research potential, and a clear interest in joining an ANU research environment with the support of a qualified supervisor.
For 2026, the scholarship offers a stipend of AUD 39,069 per year for eligible full-time students. In addition to the living allowance, selected candidates may also receive support such as travel allowance, relocation support, thesis allowance, and paid leave benefits depending on their eligibility and scholarship conditions.
If you are planning to apply for a Master’s by Research or PhD in Australia, this scholarship is worth serious consideration. Below, you will find the eligibility criteria, benefits, English language requirements, required documents, deadline, and the full application process.
Australian National University RTP Scholarship Details
- Host Country: Australia
- Host University: Australian National University (ANU)
- Degree Level: Master’s by Research and PhD / Research Doctorate
- Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international students
- Scholarship Value: AUD 39,069 per year
- Study Type: Full-time research study
- Funding Type: Fully funded research scholarship
- Application Method: Through ANU admission application
- Deadline: August 31, 2026
Scholarship Benefits
The Australian National University RTP Scholarship 2026 offers generous financial support to successful applicants.
Financial Benefits
- AUD 39,069 per year stipend
- Fortnightly payments
- Support for living expenses
- Travel allowance
- Removal / relocation allowance
- Thesis allowance
- Dependant child allowance for eligible international students
- Paid medical leave
- Paid maternity leave
- Paid parental leave
Funding Duration
- Research Doctorate: Up to 4 years
- Research Master’s: Up to 2 years
- Standard stipend support is generally available for 3.5 years, with a possible extension in eligible cases
These benefits make the scholarship highly attractive for students who want to complete a funded research degree in Australia without major financial pressure.
Degree Level and Study Areas
The scholarship supports students applying for eligible Higher Degree Research programs at ANU. In most cases, this includes:
The exact research field depends on the ANU college or department you apply to. Since ANU is a major research university, students may find opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, social sciences, health, law, public policy, and humanities.
Before applying, it is important to confirm that your proposed research area is supported by the relevant ANU academic college and that supervision is available.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the ANU RTP Scholarship 2026, applicants should meet the general eligibility conditions below.
Basic Requirements
- Be a domestic or international student
- Apply for an eligible Higher Degree Research (HDR) program at ANU
- Meet the academic entry requirements of the selected ANU program
- Be prepared for full-time study
- Demonstrate strong academic merit and research potential
Academic Requirements
Applicants are generally expected to have:
- A strong academic record
- A background suitable for postgraduate research
- A minimum of Honours (H1) or H1 equivalent in previous studies, or an equivalent academic profile
Other Important Considerations
Selection may also depend on:
- Availability of a suitable research supervisor
- Availability of research space and institutional resources
- Quality and relevance of the proposed research topic
- Strength of supporting documents and referee reports
Because this scholarship is highly competitive, applicants with a clear research plan and a stronger academic profile usually have a better chance of being ranked highly.
Required Documents
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV / Resume
- Research proposal
- Passport copy
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Referee reports
- Any additional documents requested by the relevant ANU college or research program
Application Deadline
- 31 August for the main international round
- 31 October for the main domestic round
- 15 April for another scholarship round covering both domestic and international applicants
How to Apply?
The application process for the ANU RTP Scholarship 2026 is linked to the ANU research admission system.
Steps to Apply
- Choose an eligible Higher Degree Research program at ANU
- Review the admission requirements for your chosen research area
- Prepare all required documents
- Develop a clear and relevant research proposal
- Contact a potential supervisor if required or recommended
- Submit your admission application through the ANU system
- Select the option to be considered for available scholarships
- Ensure referee reports are submitted on time
- Apply before the scholarship deadline
For many applicants, scholarship consideration is handled through the admission application itself. This means there may not be a separate scholarship form for new applicants, but you still need to select the scholarship option during the application process.
