Charles Darwin University RTP Scholarship for MS & PhD in Australia

Applications are now open for the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship a prestigious opportunity for exceptional researchers pursuing higher degree research qualifications at one of Australia’s leading universities.

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding domestic and international students demonstrating exceptional research potential to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master by Research degree. The RTP Scholarship is fully funded, covering general living costs while you focus entirely on your research. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

What This Scholarship Offers:

Financial Benefits

• Full-time students: AU$35,489 per annum (tax-free) paid fortnightly
• Part-time students: AU$17,744.50 per annum (taxable) paid fortnightly

Additional Support

• Relocation Allowance:
  • Domestic students: Up to AU$2,000
  • International students: Up to AU$2,500

Leave Benefits

• Paid sick leave
• Maternity leave

Scholarship Duration

• PhD programs: Three years full-time support
• Master by Research programs: Two years full-time support

What You Gain

• Recognition as an exceptional researcher with extraordinary potential
• Financial security to dedicate yourself entirely to research without financial stress
• Support for relocation and settling into Australia
• Protection of your research time through paid leave provisions
• Access to CDU’s research facilities and academic supervision
• Opportunity to contribute to research that may align with Australia’s strategic priorities

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the RTP Scholarship, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

Essential Requirements

• Be a domestic or international student
• Meet CDU’s academic and English language entry requirements
• Receive an invitation to apply from the CDU HDR team
• Submit a complete RTP scholarship application by the notified deadline
• Not be receiving equivalent financial support from another source for HDR studies

Student Classification

Domestic Students: Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens

International Students: All others who do not fit the domestic criteria

Research Experience Requirements

For Master by Research applicants:

• Must have completed at least half a semester full-time equivalent (FTE), or 20 credit points, of research activity at AQF Level 8 or above in a relevant course

For PhD applicants:

• Must have completed at least one semester FTE, or 40 credit points, of research activity at AQF Level 8 or above in a relevant course

Academic Requirements

• Strong academic record (high GPA) in Bachelor’s, Honours, or Master’s degree
• Relevant research experience in your field
• All academic transcripts and theses must be officially translated into English (if applicable)

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Ranking Criteria:

1. Qualifications and Academic Performance

Maximum Points: 4 points for international applicants; 6 points for domestic applicants

Overview

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic record (such as high GPA) in a Bachelor’s, Honours, or Master’s degree with relevant research experience.

Research Requirements:

• Master by Research applicants: Must have completed at least half a semester full-time equivalent (FTE), or 20 credit points, of research activity at AQF Level 8 or above in a relevant course
• PhD applicants: Must have completed at least one semester FTE, or 40 credit points, of research activity at AQF Level 8 or above in a relevant course

Required Evidence

• Academic transcripts
• Official translated documents (if applicable)
• Grading system details
• Copies of theses
• Official unit and course outlines

Important Notes

• AQF stands for Australian Qualifications Framework. Visit the AQF website for more information
• CDU’s grading system and international grade conversion information is available on the CDU website
• Qualifications where results are ungraded will be assessed on a case-by-case basis
• All academic transcripts and theses must be officially translated into English prior to submission

Your Responsibility

It is your responsibility to clearly demonstrate:

• Which units from your degree(s) involve research and their weighting
• The grading system used at your institution
• The level and length of any thesis or dissertation
• Evidence that a unit meets the definition of research where the unit name is ambiguous (e.g., “Project”)

Important Assessment Note

If a thesis is submitted, CDU must be able to evaluate its quality based solely on the documentation provided. CDU will not retrieve information from institutional websites or external sources.

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2. Quality Research Publications and Non-Traditional Research Outputs

Maximum Points: 4 points

Overview

Successful applicants will typically demonstrate recent, high-quality, peer-reviewed research publications as first author or co-author. Non-Traditional Research Outputs (NTROs) may also be considered where they align with recognised discipline-specific standards.

Required Evidence

For traditional publications, provide:

• Direct link to the published output or an electronic copy
• Journal or conference rankings (e.g., Scimago, CORE)
• Publisher details
• Evidence of peer review
• Full reference including DOI link
• Evidence of publication

For NTROs (creative works, exhibitions, performances), provide:

• Documentation of research significance (e.g., exhibition catalogue, artist statement)
• Evidence of public dissemination (e.g., press, online promotion, programs)
• Discussion with your intended supervisor to confirm alignment with disciplinary research norms

Key Guidelines

• Focus on quality over quantity—listing many outputs without justification will not strengthen your application
• Submit up to four (4) outputs (including NTROs) that best demonstrate your research excellence
• All outputs must be supported by clear evidence of quality, impact, and relevance to your discipline

Regarding Older Outputs

• Older outputs (more than 10 years old) may be considered less competitive and could be excluded or scored lower unless you make a strong case for their continued significance
• If unsure whether older outputs are stronger than more recent ones, you may submit up to six (6) outputs for consideration; however, only the top four will be scored

Publication Status Requirements

Only outputs that meet the following criteria will be considered:

• Formally accepted for publication (passed peer review and received formal acceptance letter)
• Already in press
• Already published

Not eligible: Outputs that are still under review, in revision, or submitted but not yet accepted

Also Check: Czech Government Scholarships for MS & PhD 2027

3. Research Experience / Portfolio

Maximum Points: 2 points

Overview

This category recognises broader research experience not captured in Criteria 1 or 2. This may include:

• Research-related employment at a reputable institution or organisation
• Research outputs not submitted in Criterion 2

Required Evidence

Acceptable evidence includes:

• Official verification from employer
• Direct link to published output or an electronic copy of the output
• Evidence of quality and impact of the output
• Researcher profiles (e.g., Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ORCID)

Important Note

All claims must be clearly documented. General statements without evidence will not be considered.

4. Other: Strategic Priority

Additional Points / Weighting

Additional points or weighting may be awarded for applicants whose proposed research aligns with CDU’s strategic research priorities or institutional capabilities.

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Secure an Invitation
• Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
• Step 3: Understand Assessment Requirements
• Step 4: Submit Your Application
• Step 5: Application Review

Also Check: Graduate Research Scholarships at University of Melbourne, Australia