Graduate Research Scholarships at University of Melbourne, Australia

Applications are now open for the prestigious Melbourne Research Scholarships and Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships at the University of Melbourne, designed for high-achieving domestic and international students pursuing graduate research degrees.

This is a fully funded scholarship opportunity covering living expenses and tuition fees for eligible Master’s by Research and PhD candidates across all graduate research disciplines. The scholarship is open to all nationalities, and there are no application fees involved.

New students are automatically considered upon submitting their course application, while current students and those with deferred commencement must apply by 31 October annually. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

Key Details

• Degree Level: Master’s by Research
• Host Country: Australia (University of Melbourne)
• Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
• Open for All Nationalities: Yes
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Application Fee: None
• Study Mode: Full-time and part-time options available

What This Scholarship Offers:

Financial Support

• Receive a living allowance of $39,500 per year (2026 full-time rate, pro rata) for up to 2 years as a Master’s by Research student or up to 3.5 years as a PhD student
• Gain full fee offset/remission covering 100% of tuition costs for up to 2 years (Master’s) or 4 years (PhD)
• Obtain a relocation grant of $2,000 if moving from Australian states or territories other than Victoria, or $3,000 if relocating from outside Australia
• Part-time students receive 50% of the full-time stipend rate with proportionally extended study duration

Health and Wellness Coverage

• International students requiring a student visa receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) single membership, either arranged by the University or reimbursed upon provision of receipt

Leave and Support Benefits

• Accrue and receive 20 working days of paid recreational leave per year (full-time equivalent) that rolls over to subsequent years
• Gain 10 working days of paid personal leave per year (full-time equivalent) that accrues and rolls over
• Access 60 working days of additional paid personal leave (full-time equivalent) for illness or family caring responsibilities with supporting documentation
• Receive 100 working days of paid maternity leave per child (after 12 months of study), available from 6 weeks before expected birth date
• Receive 100 working days of paid parental leave per child (after 12 months of study) for birth by your partner or child adoption
• Obtain 5 days of paid partner leave per child (after 12 months of study) when your partner is the primary carer
• Access 10 days of paid family violence leave per year (full-time) or 5 days (part-time) with no accrual requirements

Academic and Professional Benefits

• Enhance your research credentials and academic profile
• Focus fully on your research without financial burden
• Gain recognition as a recipient of a competitive, merit-based scholarship
• Access to University of Melbourne’s world-class research facilities and supervision

Also Check: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships 2027

Eligibility Criteria:

Essential Requirements

• Have applied for or be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree (Master’s by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne
• Demonstrate strong academic achievement in your last completed degree
• Show strong research potential in your field of study
• Be a domestic or international student (all nationalities welcome)

Additional Factors Considered for Merit-Based Selection

• Completion of a previous degree at the same level as your research course
• Relevant professional experience in your field
• Track record of refereed publications
• Specialist medical qualifications relevant to your research
• Composition of original music (for music research programs)

Special Conditions

• Must not be in receipt of an equivalent Australian Commonwealth Government scholarship designed to offset graduate research fees
• Must seek prior approval before enrolling in graduate research courses at other institutions
• Must acknowledge the scholarship funding source in thesis and related publications
• Must comply with University’s academic integrity and conduct standards

Also Check: ARES International Training Scholarships for BS & MS 2027

Study area:

• Agricultural and veterinary sciences
• Architecture
• building
• planning and design
• Arts
• humanities
• social sciences
• Business
• economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Environment
• Health
• Information technology
• computer science
• Law
• Music
• visual
• performing arts
• Science

Important Terms and Conditions:

Commencement Requirements

• You must commence your scholarship in the year for which it was offered
• If you receive permission to defer, your scholarship can be deferred to the following academic year
• If you do not commence in the offer year or deferred year, your scholarship will be withdrawn

Changes to Study Rate

• If you change from full-time to part-time study, your stipend rate will be adjusted to 50% and your scholarship end date will be extended proportionally
• If you change from part-time to full-time study, your stipend rate will increase to full-time rate and your scholarship end date will be adjusted accordingly
• All changes require prior approval from your Faculty, School or Department

Course and Research Project Changes

• If you wish to transfer to another course, you must seek prior approval from the proposed faculty, school or department
• If you change your research project, you must seek prior approval from your Faculty, School or Department
• Course and project changes may affect your scholarship entitlement and are not grounds for extension

Scholarship Withdrawal

• Your scholarship will be completed and all benefits will cease upon thesis submission or course withdrawal
• Scholarship will end if the University withdraws your enrolment due to unsatisfactory progress or misconduct
• Providing false or misleading information will result in scholarship withdrawal and potential requirement to repay benefits within 14 days
• Any administrative overpayments must be repaid within 14 days of notification

Also Check: Chevening Master’s Scholarships in UK 2027 (Fully funded)

Timeline and Decision Notifications

• Domestic Students: Receive Research Training Program Scholarship (Fee Offset) offers as part of your course offer
• Stipend Scholarships: Offers are made separately but around the same time as course offers
• Current/Deferred Students: Decisions on applications submitted by 31 October are made for consideration in the following year

How to Apply:

For New Students (Automatic Consideration)

• Apply for your chosen graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne by the course application closing date
• You will be automatically considered for Graduate Research Scholarships
• You will receive notification within 10 business days of submitting your course application that a scholarship application has been added to your record
• No separate scholarship application is required

For Current Students and Those with Deferred Commencement

• Submit an online application form available through the University’s admissions portal
• Application deadline: 31 October each year
• You will receive notification within 10 business days of submitting the form that your scholarship application has been added to your record
• Be considered for a scholarship in the following year

Application Materials to Prepare

• Your academic transcripts from your last completed degree
• Evidence of your academic achievement
• Information about your research potential and proposed research area
• Details of any relevant professional experience
• List of any refereed publications (if applicable)
• CV/Resume highlighting your qualifications and achievements
• Research proposal or statement of research interest

Also Check: Scotland Pakistan BS & MS Scholarships 2026-27