Applications open from 19 February until 22 March
The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Domestic Stipend Scholarship provides a living allowance for high-quality higher degree by research candidates.
Stipend scholarships are awarded through a competitive process which considers academic merit, research experience and/or potential. Priority will be given to candidates completing a HDR program for the first time. Applications are especially encouraged from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and those from diverse gender identities for discipline within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas
Domestic round dates
UniSC holds two RTP Domestic selection rounds a year
Applications will be accepted up to midnight AEST on the round closing date. Any applications received after this point will not be considered.
Scholarship applications will only be accepted during round open periods.
| Opens | Closes | Assessment | Outcomes sent | Acceptances due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 February | 22 March | April/May | 31 May onwards | 30 June |
| 1 August | 27 September | October/Nov | 13 December onwards | 30 December |
How to apply
- Applicants must provide two referee reports to support their application.
- Referees must have knowledge of the applicant's qualifications, level of skill and capacity for research.
- Referees must not be potential or current supervisors.
- If you are applying through a professional experience pathway, at least one referee must be able to comment on relevant work experience.
- Applicants must request their referees submit their written reports directly to UniSC using the Online RTP Referee Report Form by the round closing date.
- UniSC will not request these reports on your behalf. It is the applicants responsibility to confirm with their referees that this step has been completed.
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Read the HDR Scholarships - Awarding Guidelines prior to completing the application form. The guidelines provides details on the selection criteria and scoring matrix used to rank your application.
- Download and complete the Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship- Domestic Application Form
- Please see the exemplar document for two examples prepared by the Dean of Graduate Research of de-identified recent successful applicants
Prospective HDR applicants
Applicants must submit both a HDR program application and RTP Scholarship application by the round closing date if they wish to apply for a scholarship.
Attach the RTP scholarship application form as a supporting document to your online HDR program admission application via ApplyUSC.
Current USC HDR candidates
Students enrolled in or have already recieved their offer for admission to a HDR program at UniSC should email their RTP scholarship application form directly to researchtraining@usc.edu.au
For further information refer to the Research Training Program Scholarship Schedule of Conditions and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship- Operational Policy.
Questions? Refer to the Research Training Program – Frequently Asked Questions for students
If you need assistance on how to apply, please contact UniSC Graduate Research School: researchtraining@usc.edu.au
- Eligibility
Prospective Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) applicants will simultaneously submit an application into a HDR program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. To be successful in scholarship application, applicants will require a successful admission into a HDR Program.
Current HDR UniSC applicants will require an active offer or enrolment in a HDR program.
- Selection criteria
Higher Degree by Research Scholarships - Awarding Guidelines
- Value
Stipend
AU$34,449.95 (2024 rate) per annum tax-free, paid in fortnightly instalments. The rate is indexed annually commensurate with the RTP base stipend rate. UniSC rate is the RTP base stipend rate multiplied by 1.12 meaning UniSC recipients receive 12% above base rate
Domestic candidates are automatically assessed for a fee offset as part of the HDR admission assessment process. For further information, refer to the Research Training Program (RTP) webpage.
Duration
Stipend is awarded for 3 years with a possibility of two 6-month extensions in approved circumstances for Doctoral programs and 1.5 years with the possibility of one 6-month extension in approved circumstances for Masters programs. Stipend payments will cease upon submission of thesis.
For continuing students, periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the scholarship will reduce the duration of the award tenure.
- Application
Refer to How to Apply Step 3 - Submit application