Charles Darwin University RTP Scholarship 2026/27: Research Funding for PhD and Master by Research Students in Australia
Charles Darwin University offers Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarships to high-performing candidates undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy or Master by Research.
Overview
Charles Darwin University (CDU) provides Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships to high-performing candidates pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master by Research in Australia. The RTP is one of the nation's principal funding mechanisms for postgraduate research. At CDU, scholarships are awarded competitively based on academic performance, research preparation, research outputs, and alignment with institutional research priorities.
Benefits
- Stipend: AUD $35,489 per year for full-time students (tax-free, paid fortnightly) and AUD $17,744.50 per year for part-time students (taxable, paid fortnightly) at published 2026 rates.
- Duration: Normally three years for a doctoral degree and two years for a research Master's degree.
- Tuition Support: Full RTP fee offset for eligible domestic candidates, and Graduate Full Fee Scholarships covering tuition for selected international recipients.
- Allowances & Leave: Relocation allowances of up to AUD $2,000 for domestic recipients and up to AUD $2,500 for international recipients, alongside paid sick leave and maternity leave subject to conditions.
Eligibility
Both domestic and international candidates can meet the general framework, though availability varies significantly. Eligible degrees are restricted to research master's and doctoral programmes rather than standard coursework degrees. Applicants must satisfy academic admission requirements, meet English-language standards where applicable, and not receive equivalent financial support elsewhere.
How to Apply
Scholarship applications at CDU are by invitation only; prospective candidates must first be invited by the CDU Higher Degree by Research team before submitting a formal RTP scholarship application. For project-focused opportunities, applicants generally begin by submitting an expression of interest directly to the lead supervisor with a CV, transcripts, and supporting documentation.
Deadline
The formal application deadline is not stated as a general open call because RTP opportunities are managed on an invitation-only and project-specific basis.