Australia Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
In Australia, the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) ended on 31 December 2016, and it was succeeded by the Research Training Program (RTP) from 1 January 2017.
The RTP offers block grants to higher education providers (HEPs) to support both domestic and international students pursuing higher degrees by research (HDRs) such as Research Masters and Doctorate degrees. This blog post aims to provide a brief overview of the RTP scholarship, including eligibility, benefits, and application process.
What is the RTP Scholarship? The Research Training Program (RTP) is a scholarship scheme in Australia designed to financially support students undertaking higher degrees by research at participating universities. The program provides funding to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and additional costs associated with research degrees.
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the RTP Scholarship, you must be a domestic student or an overseas student enrolled in an accredited higher degree by research course at an Australian higher education provider. Detailed eligibility requirements can be found in Section 1.5 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017.
Benefits of the RTP Scholarship: Under the RTP, eligible students may receive one or more of the following types of support:
- RTP Fees Offset: This support covers the tuition fees that a higher degree by research student would otherwise have to pay. The university fully offsets the applicable tuition fee, meaning the student doesn’t have to worry about the cost of tuition.
- RTP Stipend: The RTP Stipend is intended to assist students with their living expenses while they are pursuing their research degree. It provides financial support to help students focus on their studies without worrying about their day-to-day expenses.
- RTP Allowances: These allowances help students with ancillary costs related to their research degree. This includes expenses such as relocation costs to undertake the research degree, thesis printing and academic publication costs, and health cover costs for the recipient and their dependents.
Duration of the Scholarship: The duration of the RTP Scholarship varies depending on the type of research degree being pursued. For a research masters, the scholarship is available for a maximum period of two years.
For a research doctorate degree, the scholarship is typically available for a minimum of three years, with a possibility of extension up to a maximum of four years, at the discretion of the higher education provider.
How to Apply: If you are interested in applying for the RTP Scholarship, you need to submit your application directly to the participating university of your choice. Each university has its own application and selection process, so it’s essential to contact your preferred university to understand their specific requirements. The application deadlines generally fall between April and October each year.
Conclusion:
The Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship in Australia is a valuable opportunity for domestic and international students looking to pursue higher degrees by research.
The scholarship provides financial support, including tuition fee coverage, stipends, and allowances to assist with living and ancillary costs. If you meet the eligibility criteria, be sure to explore the official scholarship website and contact your chosen university directly to apply for this esteemed scholarship program.