Unlocking the Potential of Research: A Comprehensive Guide to the Research Training Program (RTP)

The Research Training Program (RTP) is a prestigious initiative by the Australian Government to support domestic and international students pursuing higher degrees by research (HDRs) at Australian higher education providers (HEPs). The program aims to provide flexible funding arrangements, deliver graduates with essential skills, and foster collaboration between HEPs and industry. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the RTP, its objectives, benefits, scholarship periods, application process, stipend rates, industry internship weighting, and grievance procedures.

Objectives and Benefits

The RTP seeks to:

Provide flexible funding arrangements to support training domestic and overseas students undertaking HDRs at Australian HEPs
Deliver graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labor market
Support collaboration between HEPs and industry and other research end-users

Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:

Tuition fees offset
Stipend for general living costs
Allowances related to the ancillary cost of HDRs

Scholarship Periods and Applications

RTP scholarships are available for various durations, depending on the student's load and research degree:

Research doctorate: 3-4 years (full-time) or 6-8 years (part-time)
Research masters: up to 2 years (full-time) or up to 4 years (part-time)

Students need to contact HEPs directly to discuss RTP scholarship applications, which are administered individually by each HEP. The application process typically involves submitting academic transcripts, research proposals, and letters of recommendation.

(Also, check this post on 5 Simple tips on how to easily secure Postgraduate admission to an Australian University)

RTP Stipend Rates and Industry Internship Weighting

The RTP stipend rates are indexed annually, with the base and maximum rates announced by October 1 each year. The current stipend rates are:

2024: $32,192 (base) and $50,291 (max)
2023: $29,863 (base) and $46,653 (max)
2022: $28,854 (base) and $45,076 (max)

The Government has introduced the RTP industry internship weighting to incentivize early engagement between industry, HEPs, and research doctorate students. This initiative aims to strengthen links between research and industry innovation, providing a pipeline of highly skilled research doctorate students for employment in industry-based, non-academic roles.

Eligible industry internships must be at least 3 months long, consist of 60 full-time equivalent days of engagement, and be agreed upon in writing between the student, HEP, and research end-user within 18 months of course commencement for full-time students or within 36 months for part-time students.

HDR Grievance Factsheet and Enquiries

The HDR grievance factsheet provides information for HDR students, including RTP scholarship recipients, on the avenues available to pursue a grievance in regard to issues with their HEP.

For more information, refer to the RTP FAQs for students and administrators, RTP industry internship weighting FAQs,

or email RBGrants@education.gov.au.

The RTP provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their skills, collaborate with industry, and advance knowledge in their chosen field. By understanding the RTP and its benefits, students can unlock their full potential and contribute to groundbreaking research in their field. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights into the RTP and its opportunities.

(Also check out the Charles Darwin HDR scholarships for International Students 2024/25 intake)

Need help with research degree admissions and scholarships to study in Australia, below are some guides with tips especially on how to apply successfully, how to contact potential supervisors, general admission requirements etc...

Browse more fully funded Masters and PhD scholarships in Australia.

Pro-tips for research scholarship applications

The followings are some helpful links to browse through. They include tips and guides on how to successfully apply for research Masters and PhD scholarships and admissions to study in Australia.

These are just some essential elements that any international student thinking to study abroad must be aware of especially when applying for research degree programs abroad.

This includes information about :