Applications are now open for the Melbourne Research Scholarships (MRS) and related Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne for 2026 intakes. These are fully funded opportunities primarily for international and domestic students pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s by Research or PhD (doctoral) degrees.
The scholarships cover nearly all academic fields, with no separate application fee for the scholarship itself. Applications for graduate research programs are often considered automatically when you apply for admission—no extra form needed for most new applicants. This is one of Australia’s most prestigious and competitive fully funded programs, supporting high-achieving students to conduct advanced research at a top-ranked global university. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.
Key Details:
- Level of Study — Bachelor’s, Master’s by Research or Doctoral (PhD).
- Funding Type — Fully funded (100% tuition + living stipend + extras).
- Eligible Applicants — International and domestic students.
- Application Fee — No fee for the scholarship; AUD$154 non-refundable fee for international course applications (some exemptions apply).
- Intakes — Multiple, including Semester 1 (Feb/March) and Semester 2 (July).
- Application Deadline — 30 April 2026 → For Semester 2 intake (2026)
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What This Scholarship Offers:
- Full tuition fee remission (100% coverage) for the entire duration of the degree — up to 2 years for Master’s by Research or up to 4 years for PhD — removing all tuition costs.
- Generous living stipend of AUD $39,500 per year (2026 rate) — paid fortnightly, tax-free, to cover living expenses, with annual indexing for inflation.
- Relocation grant — AUD $3,000 for international students moving from overseas (or AUD $2,000 from other Australian states) to help with moving costs.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — Single membership for the duration of the student visa, ensuring full health insurance coverage.
- Additional allowances — Includes limited paid leave (sick, maternity, parenting) and thesis support for research expenses.
- Exclusive access to professional development — Workshops, networking events, and global academic communities to build skills and connections for future leadership roles.
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Fields of Study:
Open to almost all disciplines, including:
- Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
- Architecture, Building, Planning, and Design
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Business and Economics
- Education
- Engineering and Information Technology
- Environment and Sustainability
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Law
- Music, Visual, and Performing Arts
- Science and Technology
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Required Documents:
- Official academic transcripts and certificates
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, etc., if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
- Research proposal (essential for Master’s/PhD by research)
- Academic or professional recommendation letters
- Statement of purpose or motivation
- Passport copy (for international applicants)
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Demonstrate outstanding academic merit (e.g., high GPA in prior degrees, research potential shown through publications, experience, or qualifications).
- Meet the University’s English language requirements if international (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL scores).
- Not hold another equivalent scholarship or award providing similar full funding.
- For research degrees: Show evidence of research capability (e.g., strong proposal, prior research output).
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How to Apply:
- Choose and apply for an eligible graduate research program via the University of Melbourne’s online application portal.
- For research-based programs, identify and contact a potential supervisor in advance.
- Submit your course application before the program’s closing date — most scholarships are considered automatically.
- If deferred or already enrolled, submit a separate online scholarship application.
- Receive notification of scholarship outcome (usually within 10 business days after course offer).
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