Research Stipend Scholarships at RMIT University, Australia

RMIT has two stipend scholarships available. These are the RTP Stipend Scholarship (RSS) and the RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship (RRSS).

RSS scholarships are funded by the Australian Government and RRSS scholarships are funded by RMIT University. When you apply for a research scholarship through one of the University’s rounds, you will automatically be considered for all the scholarships for which you are eligible.

Value and duration

In 2020, the RSS and RRSS provide the following benefits to recipients:

• a stipend of $31,260 per annum pro rata (full-time study). This amount is subject to indexation annually.
• International candidates in receipt of this scholarship are also awarded an RTP International Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship (RIFOS) or an RMIT Research International Tuition Fee Scholarship (RRITFS).
• all local candidates, Australian and New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia are provided with an RTP Fee Offset scholarship. Applicants in receipt of an RTP Fee Offset scholarship are not required to pay tuition fees for the maximum duration of their candidature.
• a relocation allowance for the cost of relocating in order to take up their postgraduate research program, up to $515 per adult and $255 per child to a maximum of $1,540
• paid sick, maternity and parenting leave (within the limits of the Scholarship Terms and Conditions).

The standard duration of a research doctoral scholarship is three years full-time. Candidates may apply for an extension of up to six months subject to satisfactory progress and school approval.

The duration of a research masters scholarship is two years full time, with no additional extension available.

The duration of an RSS or RRSS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken towards a research degree at the same level, prior to the commencement of the RMIT research program.    

Eligibility

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a competitive selection process that ranks applicants according to their academic achievement, research outputs and relevant professional experience.

Priority is given to applicants who:

• have achieved a high distinction in the final two years of the qualifying program(s). At RMIT a grade of high distinction represents an academic achievement of 80% or higher
• may be considered by RMIT as having an equivalent level of academic attainment, taking into account previous study, relevant work experience, research publications and other research experience
• are able to take receipt of a scholarship for a minimum 12 months duration on a full time basis (or part time equivalent) because of prior enrolment in a graduate research program
• have not already completed a graduate research program at the same or higher course level.  For example Masters by Research applicants should not have already completed a Masters by Research or PhD
• an applicant must not previously have held an RMIT or  Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship’s payments commencing
• are or will be enrolled and primarily based at an RMIT Australian campus

International applicants must meet English language requirements by the application closing date to be considered for a scholarship.

Part-time applications from local applicants may be approved if applicants are able to demonstrate exceptional circumstances as specified in the Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions. Scholarships provided to candidates enrolled on a part-time basis are not tax exempt.

Scholarship applicants already enrolled in a research degree must have:

• more than 24 months remaining of PhD candidature as at 1 January 2021
• more than 12 months remaining of Master by research candidature as at 1 January 2021

You will be considered ineligible for a stipend scholarship if:

• you are applying for or undertaking a Masters by Research and you already hold a Research Doctorate, Research Masters or an equivalent research qualification
• you are applying for or undertaking a Research Doctorate and you already hold a Research Doctorate or an equivalent research qualification
• you have previously held a Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship commencement date, or
• you are currently receiving another equivalent award, scholarship or research related salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the annual value of the stipend this scholarship provides

Competitive selection

These scholarships are awarded through the University’s research scholarship rounds. All scholarship applications are ranked in accordance with the ranking model that has been approved by RMIT’s Research Committee.

Terms and conditions

As the holder of this scholarship you:

• must commence your studies in the scholarship commencement period in which you are applying
• are not able to defer your studies to another year. If a deferral is required, you must apply again the following year if you are unable to take up your award.

Please refer to the HDR Scholarship Terms and Conditions for further details.  

Key dates and how to apply

For information relating to scholarship opening rounds and to apply for scholarship, please refer to the instructions detailed on research scholarships.

Further information

• See the Research Scholarship Terms and Conditions for more information.
• Hobsons Coursefinder – a nation-wide postgraduate scholarship database
• Other scholarships at RMIT
• How to apply for a research degree

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