University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) & Australian Government RTP Scholarship 2027 in Australia | Fully Funded

Are you planning to pursue a research-based postgraduate degree in Australia with full financial support? The University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship provide outstanding funding opportunities for both domestic and international students who wish to undertake a Higher Degree by Research (HDR).

These prestigious scholarships are designed to support talented researchers enrolling in a Master's by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme at the University of Tasmania. Successful applicants receive a full tuition fee offset, a generous tax-free annual living stipend, relocation support, and access to one of Australia's leading research institutions.

Unlike scholarships for coursework programmes, the TGRS and RTP scholarships are strictly intended for students undertaking independent research under the supervision of experienced academics. Applicants are selected based on academic excellence, research potential, and the quality of their proposed research project.

With applications now open for the 2027 intake, qualified candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their applications early, particularly because securing an academic supervisor is a mandatory part of the application process.

• Host Country: Australia
• Host Institution: University of Tasmania (UTAS)
• Scholarship Name: University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) & Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship
• Degree Level: Master's by Research and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Programme Type: Higher Degree by Research (HDR)
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Eligible Applicants: Domestic and International Students
• Tuition Coverage: 100% Tuition Fee Offset
• Annual Living Stipend: AUD $34,315 (Tax-Free)
• Relocation Allowance: Up to AUD $2,000 (where applicable)
• Application Fee: May depend on the admission application; scholarship itself does not require a separate fee
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 (11:59 PM AEST) for the 2027 International Intake
• Outcome Notification: December 4, 2026

The University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) and the Australian Government RTP Scholarship are competitive awards that help outstanding researchers pursue postgraduate studies without the financial burden typically associated with international education.

The scholarships are awarded to students enrolling in Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programmes, where the primary focus is conducting original research that contributes new knowledge within a chosen discipline. Rather than attending regular classroom lectures throughout the programme, research students spend most of their candidature investigating a specific research problem under the guidance of an academic supervisor.

Funding is jointly provided through the Australian Government's Research Training Program and the University of Tasmania's internal scholarship scheme. Depending on the outcome of the assessment process, successful applicants may receive either an RTP Scholarship or a University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship. Both provide substantial financial support that enables students to focus on their research full-time.

The scholarship supports only postgraduate research degrees offered by the University of Tasmania.

Eligible programmes include:

• Master's by Research
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

It is important to understand that these scholarships do not cover taught or coursework-based master's degrees such as an MBA, Master of Information Technology, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Public Health by coursework, or similar professional programmes.

Applicants interested in postgraduate coursework programmes will need to explore other scholarship opportunities offered by the university.

Applicants may undertake research across a broad range of academic disciplines available at the University of Tasmania. Research opportunities are available in areas including:

• Agriculture and Food Systems
• Marine and Antarctic Science
• Health and Medicine
• Environmental Science
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Business and Economics
• Education
• Law
• Psychology
• Social Sciences
• Arts and Humanities
• Natural Sciences
• Climate Change and Sustainability
• Public Policy
• Fisheries and Aquaculture

Applicants are encouraged to identify a research area that aligns with both their academic background and the expertise of potential supervisors at the university.

Successful applicants receive a comprehensive financial package that significantly reduces the cost of pursuing postgraduate research in Australia.

Full Tuition Fee Coverage

Recipients receive a complete tuition fee offset throughout the approved duration of their research programme. This means eligible tuition fees are covered, allowing scholars to concentrate on their research without worrying about paying tuition.

Annual Living Stipend

The scholarship provides a tax-free living allowance of AUD $34,315 per year (2026/2027 rate).

The stipend is intended to assist with everyday living expenses such as:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Transportation
• Utilities
• Study-related personal expenses
• Other daily costs while residing in Australia

The stipend amount is reviewed periodically and may increase in line with annual indexation.

Relocation Allowance

Eligible students relocating to Tasmania may receive a relocation allowance of up to AUD $2,000 to assist with initial settlement expenses.

This support can help offset costs associated with relocating for study, including travel and other essential setup expenses.

Access to World-Class Research Facilities

Beyond financial support, scholarship recipients gain access to modern laboratories, research centres, digital libraries, specialist equipment, and experienced academic supervisors who support students throughout their research journey.

Students also become part of an international research community, creating opportunities for collaboration, networking, conference participation, and future academic or industry careers.

The University of Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) and Australian Government RTP Scholarship are highly competitive awards. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection, as applications are assessed on academic merit, research capability, and the overall quality of the proposed research project.

To be considered, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

Admission to a Higher Degree by Research (HDR)

Applicants must intend to enrol, or already be enrolled, in an eligible Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programme at the University of Tasmania.

Eligible research degrees include:

• Master's by Research
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Students applying for coursework-based master's programmes are not eligible for these scholarships.

Strong Academic Performance

Applicants are expected to have an excellent academic record.

Competitive applicants generally possess:

• A First Class Honours degree or an equivalent qualification; or
• A high Second Class Upper (2:1) degree with a significant research component; or
• A postgraduate qualification demonstrating strong research capability.

The University places considerable emphasis on previous academic performance because research programmes require the ability to conduct independent, high-quality scholarly work.

Research Experience and Potential

Applicants should demonstrate that they have the skills and ability to successfully complete a research degree.

Evidence of research capability may include:

• A substantial undergraduate or postgraduate research project.
• An honours thesis or dissertation.
• Published journal articles or conference papers (where available).
• Previous research assistant experience.
• Professional research experience.
• Other evidence of analytical and investigative skills.

While publications are advantageous, they are not compulsory for every applicant.

Meet University Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy all admission requirements for their chosen Higher Degree by Research programme.

This includes meeting academic entry requirements and any faculty-specific criteria relevant to the proposed research area.

English Language Proficiency

International applicants whose previous education was not conducted in English may need to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Accepted qualifications generally include:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic
• Other English language qualifications recognised by the University of Tasmania

Applicants should check the specific language requirements applicable to their chosen faculty or research programme.

One of the most important parts of the application process is securing the support of an academic supervisor before submitting your scholarship application.

Unlike many taught postgraduate programmes, research students work closely with an academic supervisor throughout their candidature. The supervisor provides guidance on research design, methodology, academic writing, data analysis, publication, and thesis completion.

Before applying, prospective students are expected to:

• Identify a research topic that aligns with their interests.
• Search for academic staff whose research interests match the proposed topic.
• Contact potential supervisors professionally.
• Discuss the proposed research project.
• Obtain confirmation that the academic is willing to supervise the research.
• Complete any required Supervisory Support documentation before submitting the application.

Applications with confirmed supervisory support are generally much stronger than applications submitted without an identified supervisor.

Applicants should prepare all supporting documents before beginning the online application process.

Depending on the programme and faculty, required documents may include:

• Completed online application form.
• Academic transcripts from all previous institutions attended.
• Degree certificates.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or academic résumé.
• Detailed research proposal.
• Supervisory Support Form signed by the proposed supervisor (where required).
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Passport identification page (for international applicants).
• Academic referee reports or recommendation letters.
• Any additional faculty-specific documents requested during the admission process.

Submitting clear, complete, and well-organised documents can improve the overall quality of an application and help prevent unnecessary delays during assessment.

Interested applicants should complete the application process by following these steps:

Step 1: Identify a Research Area

Begin by deciding on the research field you intend to pursue. Your proposed research should align with the University's available research strengths and academic expertise.

Step 2: Find a Suitable Supervisor

Browse the University's academic staff profiles to identify a supervisor whose research interests match your proposed project.

Contact the academic professionally with a concise email introducing yourself, your academic background, and your proposed research topic.

Step 3: Develop a Research Proposal

Prepare a detailed research proposal outlining:

• Research title
• Background to the study
• Research problem
• Research objectives
• Literature overview
• Proposed methodology
• Expected contribution to knowledge
• Timeline (where applicable)

A well-written proposal demonstrates your understanding of the research area and your readiness for postgraduate research.

Step 4: Obtain Supervisory Approval

Where required, secure confirmation from your proposed supervisor and complete the University's Supervisory Support documentation before proceeding with the scholarship application.

Step 5: Submit Your Online Application

Complete the Higher Degree by Research admission application through the University of Tasmania's online application portal and upload all required supporting documents before the application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to review every section carefully before submitting to ensure no required information or documents have been omitted.

Applications are assessed competitively.

The University evaluates candidates using several factors, including:

• Academic excellence.
• Previous research achievements.
• Quality and originality of the proposed research.
• Research potential.
• Alignment between the proposed project and the University's research priorities.
• Availability of appropriate supervision.
• Strength of referee reports.
• Overall competitiveness of the applicant pool.

Because scholarship funding is limited, many qualified applicants may compete for a relatively small number of awards.

For the 2027 international intake, applications close on:

October 1, 2026 (11:59 PM AEST).

Applicants should avoid waiting until the closing date, as obtaining supervisory approval and preparing the required documentation can take several weeks.

Successful applicants are expected to receive outcome notifications by December 4, 2026.

Applicants can strengthen their chances of success by:

• Beginning the supervisor search as early as possible.
• Tailoring their research proposal to the expertise of their chosen supervisor.
• Demonstrating previous research experience wherever possible.
• Ensuring academic transcripts and supporting documents are complete and accurate.
• Obtaining strong referee reports from academics familiar with their research ability.
• Carefully proofreading every document before submission.

Early preparation is particularly important because supervisor availability, document verification, and application assessments often require considerable time.