Fully Funded University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2026–2027 (600 Awards Worth Up to AUD $135,000)

The University of Melbourne has announced one of the biggest fully funded research scholarship rounds in Australia for the 2026–2027 academic year. Up to 600 Graduate Research Scholarships are now open to both domestic and international students who plan to pursue a Master’s by Research or a PhD.

   

These scholarships include the Melbourne Research Scholarship and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. They cover full tuition fees and provide generous living allowances that can reach AUD $135,000 over the duration of the program.

One of the best parts is that new applicants do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. Once you apply for a qualifying graduate research program at the University of Melbourne, you will automatically be considered for the scholarship.

You can explore the official scholarship information here:
https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships

What the Scholarship Covers

The University of Melbourne structures its graduate research scholarships into two main categories. Each is designed to reduce the financial burden on research students while they focus on their studies.

1. Stipend and Fee Offset Scholarship (Full Funding)

This is the most comprehensive funding package available under the program.

Successful candidates receive:

• Full tuition fee coverage for up to 2 years for a Master’s by Research or 4 years for a PhD
• A living stipend of AUD $39,500 per year (2026 full-time rate)
• Stipend payments available for up to 2 years for Master’s students and up to 3.5 years for doctoral candidates
• Annual stipend adjustments to keep up with inflation
• Paid leave benefits, including sick leave, maternity leave, and parenting leave
• Relocation allowance
  • AUD $2,000 for students relocating from another Australian state
  • AUD $3,000 for students relocating from outside Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students who require an Australian student visa

Over the full duration of the program, the total financial value of this scholarship can reach approximately AUD $135,000.

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2. Fee Offset Scholarship

The second scholarship tier focuses primarily on tuition support.

Recipients receive:

• Full tuition fee coverage for up to 2 years (Master’s by Research) or 4 years (PhD)

All domestic students admitted into a graduate research program at the University of Melbourne are automatically awarded the RTP Fee Offset Scholarship.

Who Is Eligible?

The scholarship program is designed to attract talented research students from around the world. While eligibility is broad, awards are made primarily based on academic merit and research potential.

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Apply for or hold an offer for a Master’s by Research or PhD program at the University of Melbourne
• Current graduate research students at the university may also be considered for scholarships in the following year
• Domestic students admitted into research programs automatically receive the RTP Fee Offset Scholarship
• Both domestic and international students are eligible for stipend-based scholarships, which are awarded competitively

Selection committees assess applicants using several factors, including:

• Academic performance in your most recent degree
• Evidence of strong research ability
• Publications in refereed journals
• Relevant professional or industry experience
• Specialist qualifications in fields such as medicine
• Creative achievements such as original music compositions

These additional achievements can significantly strengthen your scholarship application.

How to Apply for the Scholarship

The application process is simple and designed to reduce paperwork for prospective students.

Step 1: Apply for a Graduate Research Program

Submit an application for a Master’s by Research or PhD at the University of Melbourne before the published deadline.

Step 2: Automatic Scholarship Consideration

Once your course application is submitted, the university will automatically generate a scholarship application for you.

Applicants usually receive a confirmation notification within 10 business days.

Step 3: Deferred Students

If you previously accepted an offer but deferred your start date, you must submit a separate online scholarship application to be reconsidered in the next scholarship round.

A confirmation email is typically sent within 10 business days after submission.

Application Deadline

Students who submit their graduate research course applications on or before 31 October 2026 will automatically be considered for the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships for the 2026–2027 intake.

Because of the highly competitive nature of these scholarships, early preparation—especially for research proposals and academic references—can significantly improve your chances of being selected.

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