Important dates
Applications for candidatures commencing 1 May to 27 October 2025 are now open. Full applications must be submitted by the round closing dates as below. For further information, visit How to apply for a research degree.
2025 domestic round 2: closes 9 March 2025 (for mid-year intake)
2026 international round: closes 24 August 2025 (for February 2026 intake)
2026 domestic round: closes 24 October 2025 (for February 2026 intake)
Benefits and Duration
Stipend and Allowances Value (Terms and Conditions apply)
- A stipend of $35,550 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)
- A relocation allowance from $500 to $1,500 (for single to family) awarded to students who are moving from interstate or overseas in order to study at Deakin
- For international students only: Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa
Doctoral Degree Duration
- 3 years for stipend and 4 years for the tuition fees offset
Research Master Degree Duration
- 2 years for stipend and 2 years for the tuition fees offset
Eligibility criteria
- To be eligible for an RTP Stipend, RTP Fees Offset, RTP Allowance or DUPRS a student must be a domestic or international student enrolled in an HDR course of study at Deakin University
- To be eligible for an RTP Fees Offset an applicant must not be receiving an equivalent award or scholarship from the Commonwealth designed to offset HDR fees
- To be eligible for an RTP or DUPRS Stipend a student must not be receiving income from another source to support that student’s general living costs while undertaking their course of study if that income is greater than 75 per cent of that student’s RTP or DUPRS Stipend rate. Income unrelated to the student’s course of study or income received for the student’s course of study but not for the purposes of supporting general living costs is not to be taken into account.
- Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for information on admission requirements to a HDR course at Deakin University.
- Terms and conditions for each scholarship are detailed in the Further Information section below. For information about our RTP Scholarship Policy please refer to the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Scholarships Procedure.
Selection Process
RTP and DUPRS Stipends will be awarded to students as the result of a competitive process outlined in the ranking guidelines as below. Students receiving an RTP or DUPRS Stipend will be enrolled as on-campus full-time students.
Applicants for an RTP or DUPRS Stipend must have:
- completed at least four years of tertiary education studies
- have achieved 80% or equivalent in the research component of their previous study or an equivalent level of academic attainment, taking into account previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience
- meet all other minimum entry requirements according to the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Admission, Selection and Enrolment Procedure. Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for more information.
Currently enrolled HDR students can apply for an RTP or DUPRS Stipend and will be assessed by the Faculty/Institute. Currently enrolled students may not apply after they have completed more than 3 years of their doctoral course or 2 years of their masters course (or part-time equivalent).
For information about the RTP Fees Offset selection process and the offer process for all scholarships please refer to the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Scholarships Procedure.
Download the 2025 HDR Scholarship Ranking Guidelines [PDF, 290.5 KB]
How to apply
Prospective students
Learn more about submitting a successful application on the how to apply page.
Current students
Complete the Currently enrolled HDR student scholarship application form.
Contact us
For more information please email the Researcher Development Academy
Further information
Learn more about the terms and conditions of these scholarships.
Research Training Scheme Domestic Terms and Conditions [PDF, 186.4 KB]
DUPR International Terms and Conditions [PDF, 258.4 KB]