Deakin University, one of Australia’s well-known research institutions, is currently accepting scholarship applications from students who want to pursue a PhD or a Masters by research. Two funding options are on the table here: the Research Training Program (RTP), which comes from the Australian Government, and the Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPRS), which is funded directly by the university itself. Both cover the full cost of study, meaning tuition and a living stipend, so there’s no financial burden left on the student’s shoulders.
The scholarship is open to research fields across the board, not restricted to one subject area, and it welcomes both Australian residents and applicants coming from outside the country. There’s no application fee involved either, which makes this a genuinely accessible opportunity for anyone serious about research work. Below, we’ve broken everything down so you know exactly what to expect, what you’ll receive, and how the whole process works from start to finish.
What Makes This Scholarship Worth Your Time:
Before jumping into the technical details, it helps to understand why so many international students specifically look at Deakin for their research journey. Australia already has a strong reputation for research output, and Deakin adds to that with dedicated support structures for graduate researchers, from academic supervision to health cover for overseas students. The stipend amount is tax exempt, which is something not every country’s scholarship system offers, and the relocation support means you’re not left covering moving costs entirely out of pocket. For a research degree that can stretch across several years, having that financial stability from day one changes how much stress a student carries throughout their studies.
Quick Snapshot: The Basics You Need to Know:
Here’s everything at a glance before you decide whether this fits your plans.
- Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral degree) and Research Masters degree
- Host Country: Australia
- Host University: Deakin University
- Funding Type: Fully funded (covers stipend, tuition offset, and additional allowances)
- Open For: Both domestic (Australian/New Zealand) and international candidates
- Application Fee: None
- Study Mode: On-campus, full-time
- Fields of Study: Open to multiple disciplines under graduate research programs
Important Dates You Cannot Miss:
Timing matters a lot with scholarship applications, and missing a deadline by even a day usually means waiting for the next round. Here are the current application windows:
- 2026 domestic round opens on 20 January 2026 and closes 13 March 2026, leading to a July 2026 intake
- 2027 international round opens 6 July 2026 and closes 23 August 2026, leading to a February 2027 intake
- 2027 domestic round opens 6 July 2026 and closes 25 October 2026, leading to a February 2027 intake
International applicants should pay close attention to the August 2026 deadline since that’s the window relevant to them for the February 2027 intake.
What You Actually Get From This Scholarship:
A lot of scholarship pages list activities or coverage without explaining what that actually means for the person receiving it. So here’s what a successful applicant walks away with, in plain terms.
- Financial independence during study: Recipients receive an annual stipend of $37,450, and because it’s tax exempt, that entire amount is usable income rather than something reduced by tax deductions.
- A stress-free relocation: Candidates moving from another state or another country receive a relocation allowance ranging from $500 for a single person up to $1,500 for someone relocating with family, easing the financial pressure of packing up and starting fresh in a new place.
- Health security for international students: Overseas candidates are provided single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for their entire visa duration, meaning medical costs during study are already handled rather than left as an unexpected expense.
- Tuition covered for the full research period: PhD students get tuition offset for four years while receiving the stipend for three years, and Masters by research students get both stipend and tuition offset for two years.
- Time to focus purely on research: Because the scholarship removes financial worry, students gain the freedom to dedicate their energy toward producing quality research work instead of juggling part-time jobs just to survive.
- A recognised qualification: Beyond the money, graduates walk away with a degree from an institution known for strong research output, something that carries weight when applying for academic or industry roles later.
Who Can Apply for This Scholarship:
Eligibility here isn’t overly complicated, but there are a few boxes every applicant needs to tick before submitting anything.
- Must be enrolled, or planning to enrol, in a graduate research course at Deakin University
- Must have completed at least four years of tertiary (higher) education
- Must have achieved 80% or an equivalent grade in the research component of previous study, or show an equivalent level of achievement through prior work experience, published research, or other relevant research background
- Must satisfy all other entry requirements set out under Deakin’s Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) admission rules
- For the RTP Fees Offset specifically, applicants must not already be receiving a similar Commonwealth-funded scholarship meant to cover research fees
- Both domestic and international students are welcome to apply; nationality is not a barrier
- Currently enrolled graduate researchers can also apply, but only if they haven’t yet completed more than three years of a doctoral program or two years of a masters program (or the part-time equivalent of either)
Keep in mind that only the highest-ranked applicants typically receive the RTP scholarship specifically, since it runs on a competitive selection process, while DUPRS follows a similar but separately funded track.
Fields and Programs Covered Under This Scholarship:
This scholarship isn’t tied to one narrow subject. Deakin accepts graduate research applications across a wide range of disciplines, and successful applicants can pursue research in any of the following broad fields:
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Business and Law
- Science, Engineering and Built Environment
- Arts and Education
- Information Technology
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Psychology
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Environmental and Life Sciences
- Sport and Exercise Science
If your research interest falls under any of these areas, it’s worth checking Deakin’s research degree finder to see specific supervisors and project availability that match your topic.
Steps to Apply for the Deakin RTP or DUPRS Scholarship:
Applying involves a few distinct stages depending on whether you’re a brand-new applicant or someone already studying at Deakin.
For prospective graduate researchers (new applicants):
- Research and confirm your specific research topic and identify a potential supervisor at Deakin
- Check the entry requirements for your chosen research degree, including English language requirements if applicable
- Prepare your academic transcripts, research proposal, and any supporting documents such as publications or references
- Submit your application within the relevant round (domestic or international) before the closing date
- Wait for assessment, as scholarship offers are given out based on a competitive ranking process
For currently enrolled graduate researchers:
- Download and complete the currently enrolled graduate researcher scholarship application form
- Submit this directly through your Faculty or Institute for assessment
- Ensure you apply before exceeding three years (doctoral) or two years (masters) of enrolment, since eligibility closes after that point
International students should also factor in visa processing time. A student visa, mainly the Subclass 500, needs to be arranged well ahead of the intake date, and applicants must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course to qualify for that visa pathway.
Documents and Requirements to Keep Ready:
While specific document requests can vary slightly by faculty, most applicants should have the following ready before starting their application:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates from previous study
- A clear and well-structured research proposal
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS or an equivalent accepted test) for applicants whose first language isn’t English
- CV or resume highlighting relevant research or work experience
- Reference letters, particularly from academic supervisors familiar with your research background
- Evidence of any published research, if available
English Language Requirements for International Applicants:
Since Deakin follows the IELTS system alongside the CEFR standard, international applicants need to demonstrate they meet the minimum required score, which can differ depending on the course and study level. It’s best to check the specific research degree page relevant to your intended course, since requirements aren’t identical across every program.
Visa Requirements for Studying in Australia:
Anyone coming from outside Australia to study at Deakin needs to handle a few visa-related steps separately from the scholarship application itself:
- Apply for a student visa, primarily under Subclass 500, through Australia’s Department of Home Affairs
- Be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course delivered on campus
- Maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover for the full length of the study period
Since the scholarship already includes OSHC for international recipients, this part of the visa requirement is automatically taken care of once the scholarship is granted.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out From Others:
Plenty of scholarships offer partial funding or cover only tuition, leaving students to figure out living costs on their own. What makes the RTP and DUPRS combination different is that it addresses nearly every financial barrier at once: living expenses through the stipend, moving costs through the relocation allowance, healthcare through OSHC, and tuition through the fees offset. For students who might otherwise hesitate to study abroad simply because of cost, this removes most of that hesitation entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Is the Deakin RTP or DUPRS scholarship fully funded?
Yes. Both scholarships cover a tax-exempt stipend, tuition fees offset, a relocation allowance, and for international students, Overseas Student Health Cover.
Can international students apply for this scholarship?
Yes. Both domestic and international candidates are eligible to apply for the RTP and DUPRS scholarships.
Is there an application fee for this scholarship?
No. There is no fee required to apply for either the RTP or DUPRS scholarship at Deakin University.
How long does the scholarship last?
For a PhD, the stipend runs for three years and the tuition offset runs for four years. For a Masters by research, both the stipend and tuition offset run for two years.
What GPA or grade is needed to qualify?
Applicants generally need to have achieved 80% or an equivalent grade in the research component of their previous study, along with at least four years of completed tertiary education.
Can currently enrolled Deakin students apply for this scholarship?
Yes, but only if they have not yet completed more than three years of a doctoral program or two years of a masters program at the time of applying.
What fields of study are eligible for this scholarship?
The scholarship covers a wide range of research fields including health sciences, business, engineering, IT, artificial intelligence, psychology, education, and environmental science, among others.
Do I need an English test score to apply?
International applicants whose first language is not English generally need to submit an IELTS score or an equivalent accepted English test, based on the requirements of their specific course.
Who should I contact for questions about this scholarship?
Applicants can reach out to the Researcher Development Academy through email, or contact Deakin’s Admissions and Scholarships team by phone for further guidance on the application process.
