Scholarships

Research Training Program Stipend and University of Adelaide Research Scholarships

The most widely awarded scholarships available to HDR students are the Australian Government Research
Training Program Scholarship (RTPS) and the University of Adelaide Research Scholarship (UARS).
Both of these awards provide a stipend (living allowance) and fee offset/waiver for the duration of the
scholarship. Detailed information about additional allowances and conditions of these scholarships are
provided in the Conditions of Award.

Applications for RTPS and UARS scholarships primarily occur through the scholarship rounds held prior to the
beginning of semester (see Applying for HDR Scholarships – Opportunities in the Competitive Rounds).

*Information for supervisors who have a strategic scholarship to allocate can be found in Staff Resources.

Other HDR Scholarships

In addition to the RTPS and UARS awards, there are other opportunities available to HDR students, including
externally funded major awards, supplementary scholarships (top-up scholarships), industry programs and
placements, allowances for operating costs, and travel scholarships. These scholarships are individually listed
in the University Scholarships Database.

Most, but not all, of these opportunities are offered separately to the scholarship rounds and require a
separate and specific application. You will find information about how to apply for individual scholarships
attached to the funding opportunity listed in the database.

*Information for supervisors looking to establish a scholarship can be found in Staff Resources.

See conditions of award for further details

Information about all of the HDR Scholarships on offer can be found in the University Scholarships Database. The database includes scholarship opportunities for future, current and past students, such as external funding opportunities and travel scholarships.

Entries in the database include information about the background of the award, what is included, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for the award.

The database is updated on a continuous basis as awards become available. If you are seeking a scholarship, you should check the database regularly so that you do not miss an opportunity.

Search for postgraduate research scholarships

Scholarships are mainly awarded in competitive rounds that align with the primary intakes of students at the start of the year and mid-way through the year. These rounds are known as the Major Round (February/March intake) and the Midyear Round (July/August intake).  

Separate Major and Midyear rounds are held for domestic and international applicants. This ensures that successful international applicants have sufficient time to make the arrangements to move to Australia while also providing sufficient time for domestic students to complete any current programs before the round is held.

Scholarships Available in the Competitive Rounds

Two principal types of major scholarships are offered in the competitive scholarship rounds: Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships and University of Adelaide Research Scholarships. Whether these scholarships are offered in a specific scholarship round is subject to the availability of scholarships at that time. The scholarship round information tables (see Domestic Round, International Round below) identify which scholarships will be offered in a specific round.

• Domestic and international applicants who hold an Honours degree, postgraduate qualifications with a significant research component, or have significant research experience and/or publications, are considered for:
  • Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships (Domestic, International)
  • University of Adelaide Research Scholarships (Domestic, International) 
• Applicants who do not hold an Honours degree, postgraduate qualifications with a significant research component, or have significant research experience and/or publications will be considered for the University of Adelaide Research Scholarships (Domestic, International)

Further information about eligibility for these principal scholarships is included in the Conditions of Award.

A range of other scholarships may also be offered during the competitive scholarship rounds, as permitted by funding availability. Information about any additional awards being offered during a specific scholarship round are provided in the online application system. It is recommended that applicants carefully consider the information provided about these scholarships when they complete their application, as applicants may also be eligible for these additional awards.

Domestic Round

The domestic rounds include both domestic applicants and international applicants who are current students or recent graduates of the University of Adelaide. A student is considered a 'recent graduate' if they have completed their University of Adelaide qualification within the last 2 years (4 semesters).

Please note: international students who are applying in the domestic rounds as a current or recent University of Adelaide student will need to apply as an international applicant (see here) within the domestic round application period.

International Round

The international rounds are reserved for international applicants only. International students who are current students or recent graduates* of the University of Adelaide should refer to the Domestic Round Dates – but will need to submit applications using the International application system.

University of Adelaide Students/ Recent University of Adelaide Graduates Rounds

The following students are eligible to apply in these rounds:

• University of Adelaide students who are in the final semester of their current program
• University of Adelaide students who have recently completed their program within the last 2 years (4 semesters)

Refer to the scholarships page for details about Major scholarships available in the competitive rounds.

Scholarship Selection Guidelines for the Competitive Rounds

The number of scholarships on offer in each competitive scholarship round is subject to funding availability and these scholarships are awarded based on merit. Scholarship applications are assessed based on a combination of academic merit, research experience, and alignment with the University of Adelaide’s strategic goals.  To provide yourself with the best chance at being selected for a scholarship, ensure that you include as much detail as possible in your application about:

• your qualifications
• your grades
• your publications, and
• your research relevant work experience

If you have previously studied overseas, your qualifications from any overseas institutions will be assessed in comparison to the Australian Quality Framework (AQF). If your grades do not compare with the Australian system, your results will be scaled accordingly to ensure that your application can be assessed fairly.

If you are currently enrolled as an HDR student, please note that in assessing your application consideration will only be given to work completed prior to your current HDR.

Scholarship applications from applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree and no postgraduate qualifications will be assessed using the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) from their undergraduate program.

Scholarships are awarded to the highest ranked applicants in the round. Whether an applicant is awarded a scholarship is determined by the quality of their application relative to the other applications in the round.

NOTE: If you are currently enrolled as an HDR student, consideration will only be given to work completed prior to your current HDR.

In addition to the competitive scholarship rounds there are other opportunities which include externally funded major awards, supplementary scholarships, industry programs and placements, allowances for operating costs, and travel scholarships. These scholarships are listed online in the University Scholarships Database. They usually require a separate and specific application and you will find this information attached to the funding opportunity listed.

Am I eligible for a scholarship?

RTPS and UARS

To be eligible for an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship or University of Adelaide Research Scholarship, you must be eligible to enrol in a full-time Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program at the University of Adelaide.  For more detailed information regarding eligibility criteria, including specific GPA requirements, program structure and a direct link to the Academic Program Rules, please see the Adelaide Graduate Research School Calendar.

International applicants must also provide satisfactory evidence of meeting the minimum English language proficiency requirements for direct entry by the scholarship round closing date. Further information about what is required can be found here.

Other HDR Scholarships

You must be eligible to enrol in a full-time Higher Degree by Research (HDR) program at the University of Adelaide.  For more detailed information regarding eligibility criteria, including specific GPA requirements, program structure and a direct link to the Academic Program Rules, please see the Adelaide Graduate Research School Calendar.

Other advertised scholarship opportunities may have additional eligibility criteria. You should refer to the relevant entry in the University Scholarships Database for further information.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

You will need to complete an online admission and scholarship application. You can find the page to apply here. Please select at the top of the page if you are applying as a domestic or international student, and the page will show you the dates for each scholarship round currently available. Work your way down the steps, read each section and you will be directed how to apply online.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship in the competitive rounds?

Yes, you can apply for as many scholarships as you would like (and are eligible for). However, please be aware that if you are successful, whether you can hold multiple scholarships is determined by the rules of award for the individual scholarship.

Where do I find a supervisor?

For information on how to connect with a supervisor, please see Step 3 of How to Apply.

I am currently completing a Master of Philosophy, and wish to apply for PhD admission & scholarship in the competitive round. What is the deadline to submit my thesis? 
Domestic and onshore international applicants completing a Higher Degree by Research qualification in the same semester of application at an Australian university (University of Adelaide only for international students) will only be eligible for consideration if they have submitted their thesis for examination by the scholarship closing date. Note: examination results must be provided within 3 months of the scholarship closing date.

Will the publications and/or research experience I have gained since completing my qualification(s) add weight to my application?
If you ensure that your publication(s) and/or relevant research experience is detailed in your application and uploaded Structured CV, it will be considered. However, the Graduate Scholarships Committee will pay close attention to the quality of the journal in which the work is published as well as your contribution to the publication. Research outputs are usually assessed in light of the opportunities you might have had subsequent to your initial graduation.

My previous scholarship application was unsuccessful.  Can I reapply for a scholarship?

If you have not yet enrolled in your academic program, yes you can reapply for a scholarship. If you have previously applied for admission and a scholarship, and were unsuccessful, you can reapply in any subsequent round.

If you have already enrolled in your academic program, please see the question below.

I have enrolled in my academic program.  Can I apply / reapply for scholarships?

Yes. If you are currently enrolled in an HDR and have sufficient candidature left, you can apply for scholarships. 

• For a PhD scholarship, you must have a minimum of 2 years candidature remaining as of 1 January (Major Round) or 1 July (Midyear Round) to be eligible to apply for a scholarship
• For a Masters scholarship, you must have a minimum of 6 months candidature remaining as of 1 January (Major Round) or 1 July (Midyear Round) to be eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Please note: Only the work completed prior to your enrolment in the HDR study for which the scholarship is being sought will be considered in assessing your application. 

Are there any opportunities for industry placements?

Incorporating industry engagement into your HDR program provides unique opportunities and a strong complement to your academic studies and will give you a head start in future employment opportunities.

More information about these opportunities can be found here: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/career-development/industry-opportunities

Can I apply for a tuition fee waiver?

The University of Adelaide does not offer tuition fee waiver only scholarships. Tuition fee waivers are associated with major scholarships awarded to students. Please apply in a scholarship round to be considered for a scholarship. If you are successful, a fee waiver will be included as part of your scholarship offer.

When will I know the result of my scholarship application?

Domestic applicants

We will begin releasing outcomes from the date listed for the relevant competitive scholarship round on the website. You will be notified of the outcome of your scholarship application at the same time that you are notified whether you have been successful in your application for admission (i.e. in the same correspondence).

Your scholarship outcome will not be released until all of your academic results have been finalised (and you have provided appropriate evidence to the Adelaide Graduate Research School), and all aspects of your admission application have been approved. 

International applicants

We will begin releasing outcomes from the date listed for the relevant competitive scholarship round on the website. You will be notified of the outcome of your scholarship application separately from your admission outcome notification.

There may be compliance checks and other relevant approval processes that need to be completed before a scholarship outcome can be determined.  You will be advised of the outcome of your application as soon as a decision is made.