University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Research Scholarship in Australia

The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded research scholarship funded by the Australian Government and administered by the University of Sydney, offering an annual stipend of AUD $42,754 (2026 rate) plus 100% tuition fee coverage to outstanding domestic and international students enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR). The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 is one of Australia’s most prestigious and competitive postgraduate research scholarships, open to both Master’s by Research and PhD candidates across all faculties. The deadline for Research Periods 1 and 2 of 2027 is September 11, 2026. Apply through the official University of Sydney scholarships portal at sydney.edu.au/rtp.

The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship covers two core components awarded together: a stipend scholarship providing AUD $42,754 per year paid fortnightly into your Australian bank account, and a fee offset covering 100% of tuition fees for up to 14 research periods. International students also receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $1,485 at both the start and end of their degree. The scholarship is competitive and awarded on academic merit and research potential — financial need is not a selection criterion.

The University of Sydney (USYD) is consistently ranked among the world’s top 30 universities, placed at #25 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (equal with Princeton) and ranked #2 in Australia and #1 in NSW in the US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027. With 160 years of research excellence, multiple Nobel Laureates among its alumni, and a strong track record of producing globally impactful research, a University of Sydney RTP Scholarship is a career-defining recognition for any postgraduate researcher.

Key Highlights

Detail Description

The Research Training Program (RTP) is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education that provides block grants to Australian universities to support domestic and international students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research (HDR). The University of Sydney uses its RTP allocation to award competitive scholarships to the strongest research applicants across all faculties and disciplines. The scholarship operates under the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2018 and the University’s Research Training Program Scholarships Policy 2018.

At the University of Sydney, the RTP scholarship is structured as two separate but linked awards: the RTP Stipend Scholarship, which provides the living allowance of AUD $42,754 per year, and the RTP Fee Offset, which covers 100% of tuition fees. International students who receive the RTP Stipend Scholarship are automatically awarded the RTP Fee Offset as well. In addition to the RTP, the University awards its own equivalent scholarships — the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS) for international students and the University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship — for applicants who are competitive but not funded through the government RTP allocation. Both the RTP and the USYDIS provide identical stipend amounts and benefits.

The University of Sydney is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious universities, founded in 1850. It is ranked #25 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, #28 in QS 2027, and #2 in Australia and #1 in NSW in the US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027. The University’s research output spans medicine, engineering, science, law, business, arts, and social sciences — and the RTP scholarship is available across all of these disciplines, making it one of the broadest research funding opportunities in Australia.

Four Awards Explained

Benefits

• Annual Stipend of AUD $42,754: The 2026 stipend rate is AUD $42,754 per annum — one of the highest HDR stipend rates among all Australian universities. The stipend is paid fortnightly into the scholar’s nominated Australian bank account. It is indexed annually on January 1 each year, meaning recipients automatically receive a higher stipend each new calendar year for the duration of their scholarship.
• 100% Tuition Fee Coverage: International RTP and USYDIS holders receive a complete tuition fee offset for up to 14 research periods. Domestic students on RTP are exempt from tuition fees under the government programme. Scholars pay no tuition at any point during their approved scholarship tenure.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): International students receive OSHC organized by the University of Sydney. This covers essential medical costs in Australia for the duration of the scholarship. OSHC is provided for the student only — not for dependants.
• Relocation Allowance: Scholars who relocate from outside the Sydney Metropolitan area to commence their research degree may claim a relocation reimbursement of up to AUD $1,485 at the start of their degree and up to AUD $1,485 at the end of their degree upon return to their home country. Eligible expenses include economy airfare, moving, shipping, excess baggage, and temporary storage. Claims must be submitted within 6 months of the scholarship start date or degree completion date.
• Thesis Allowance: Scholars receive a thesis allowance for eligible expenses related to the submission and examination of their thesis. Specific amounts and eligible expenses are published in the University’s thesis allowance claim information available on the USYD scholarships website.
• Sick Leave and Carer’s Leave: Scholars accrue annual sick leave during their scholarship tenure. Up to five days of annual sick leave may be converted to carer’s leave on presentation of a medical certificate. Scholars with medically substantiated illness may receive up to 12 additional weeks of paid sick leave beyond their accrued entitlement.
• Parental Leave: Scholarship holders who become a parent during their scholarship are entitled to up to 12 months’ additional suspension (less any period of paid parental leave). The suspension application must be submitted within four weeks of the expected date of birth or adoption.

Eligibility Criteria

• Degree Level: Must be commencing or currently enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at the University of Sydney — specifically a Master’s by Research or a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Coursework degrees are not eligible. Professional doctorates are not eligible.
• Nationality: Open to both domestic (Australian citizens and permanent residents) and international students. If you are an international student who has applied for Australian permanent residency, you may still apply — your scholarship will be adjusted to match your residency status if awarded.
• Admission: Must have applied for or be enrolled in admission to an HDR at the University of Sydney. Scholarship applications are assessed alongside your admission application. You cannot apply for a scholarship without also applying for admission.
• Academic Merit: Selection is based on academic merit and research potential. The University does not disclose minimum GPA requirements — the scholarship is competitive and awarded to the strongest applicants in each round.
• Part-Time Study: Eligible to apply under special circumstances beyond the student’s control — for example, medical conditions or financial hardship. If awarded, the scholarship terms and conditions for part-time study apply.
• Previous Scholarships: Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received an Australian Government or University scholarship to complete an HDR at the same level, and who have not previously completed an HDR at the same level of study. However, previous master’s scholarship holders starting a new PhD are eligible to apply.

Who is NOT Eligible:

• Students enrolled in coursework degrees — only HDR students (Master’s by Research and PhD) are eligible
• Students who have transferred their scholarship from another university — the scholarship does not transfer; they must reapply through the University of Sydney process
• Students who have already commenced their research degree in Australia before their scholarship commencement date — not eligible for the relocation allowance (though still eligible for the scholarship itself)
• Students whose applications are based on financial need — the RTP and equivalent scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential only

Required Documents

1. Completed admission application to a Higher Degree by Research at the University of Sydney through Sydney Courses — must be submitted before or alongside the scholarship application
2. Student Identification Number (SID) or IPU number (12-character application ID: IPUxxxxxxxxx) — received upon completing your course application registration
3. Official academic transcripts and qualifications showing your name and marks for all degrees completed — including grading system information (usually on the last or reverse pages of the transcript)
4. Official certified English translation of transcripts if originals are in a language other than English
5. All transcripts, qualification documents, grading system information, and translations combined into one single PDF file for submission
6. Research Experience evidence (optional but strongly recommended) — submitted using the Research Experience Evidence Template in the required format. Acceptable research experience includes scholarly publications (peer-reviewed, published in Scopus, ISI, or ERA listed journals), relevant professional activities, or direct research experience. Self-published or non-standard publications are not accepted

Application Timeline

Important note on late applications: If you submit your application after the deadline, you will automatically be considered in the next round — as long as you are currently enrolled in your degree or have submitted a deferral request by the next round’s deadline. You do not need to resubmit. The University does not accept early result requests under any circumstances.

Application Process

Step 1: Apply for Admission to an HDR at the University of Sydney

You cannot apply for the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship without first applying for admission to a Higher Degree by Research. Go to Sydney Courses at sydney.edu.au/study and apply for admission to a Master’s by Research or PhD. Ensure you tick the checkbox to be considered for research scholarships when completing your admission application. Submit your complete admission application, including all required supporting documents, by the scholarship round deadline — September 11, 2026 for Round 1.

Step 2: Prepare Your Scholarship Application Documents

Gather your official transcripts and qualifications for all completed degrees, including grading system information. If your transcripts are not in English, obtain certified translations. Combine all documents — transcripts, grading information, and translations — into one single PDF file. If you have research experience (publications, professional research activities), prepare your evidence using the official Research Experience Evidence Template available at sydney.edu.au/scholarships/australian-government-research-training-program. Only peer-reviewed publications listed in Scopus, ISI, or ERA databases are accepted as research evidence.

Step 3: Submit the RTP Scholarship Application Form

Submit your scholarship application through the official RTP form at sydneyuniversity.formstack.com/forms/rtpapp by the Round 1 deadline of September 11, 2026. You will need your Student ID (SID) or IPU number from your admission application. Upload your combined PDF of transcripts and qualifications. Submit your Research Experience evidence separately using the Research Experience form if applicable. If you receive a new publication acceptance after submitting, you may resubmit your application — but note that a post-deadline resubmission will push your application to the next round.

Step 4: Await Scholarship Outcome Notification

After the September 11 deadline, the University of Sydney Scholarships Sub-Committee assesses all complete applications competitively. The University will notify you of the outcome by email — to your University email address if you are a current student, or to the preferred email in your admission application. Outcomes for Round 1 are issued from November 10, 2026 and finalized by December 17, 2026. The University does not release results early and does not provide specific ranking information to unsuccessful applicants.

Step 5: Accept Your Scholarship Offer and Arrange Your Arrival

If successful, you will receive an email with your scholarship offer and instructions on how to accept it. Follow the acceptance instructions in the email immediately. Set up your Australian bank account before your scholarship start date — the fortnightly stipend is paid directly into your Australian bank account. If you are relocating from outside the Sydney Metropolitan area, submit your first relocation reimbursement claim within 6 months of your scholarship commencement date.

How to Apply

To apply for the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027, visit the official portal below:

Also Check

• 📌 Australia Awards Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Australian Government Scholarship
• 📌 Rhodes Scholarship 2027 | Outstanding Fully Funded Postgraduate Award at Oxford University
• 📌 Chevening Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded UK Government Master’s Scholarship
• 📌 Fulbright Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded US Government Scholarship for International Students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027?

The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded research scholarship funded by the Australian Government and administered by the University of Sydney. It provides an annual stipend of AUD $42,754 (2026 rate, indexed annually) plus 100% tuition fee coverage to domestic and international students enrolled in a Master’s by Research or PhD. International students also receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and a relocation allowance of up to AUD $1,485 per claim. The scholarship is competitive and awarded on academic merit and research potential only.

2. What is the deadline for the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027?

The Round 1 deadline for Research Periods 1 and 2, 2027 is September 11, 2026. Outcomes are issued from November 10, 2026 and finalized by December 17, 2026. A Round 2 deadline for Research Periods 3 and 4, 2027 falls on December 18, 2026. If you miss the Round 1 deadline, you will automatically be considered in Round 2 without resubmitting — as long as you are enrolled or have requested a deferral.

3. How much is the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship stipend?

The stipend is AUD $42,754 per annum at the 2026 rate. It is paid fortnightly into the scholar’s Australian bank account. The stipend is indexed annually on January 1 each year — meaning it increases automatically every calendar year for the full duration of the scholarship. For a PhD scholar receiving the full 3.5-year maximum tenure, total stipend support exceeds AUD $150,000 over the scholarship period.

4. Is the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship open to international students?

Yes. The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship is open to both domestic (Australian citizens and permanent residents) and international students. International students who receive the RTP Stipend Scholarship are automatically awarded the RTP Fee Offset, which covers 100% of tuition fees for up to 14 research periods, plus Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). International students who are highly competitive but not awarded under the government RTP allocation may receive the equivalent University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS), which provides identical benefits.

5. What is the difference between the RTP and the USYDIS scholarship?

Both scholarships provide the same stipend (AUD $42,754/year), the same fee coverage (100% tuition), and the same additional benefits (relocation allowance, thesis allowance, OSHC for international students). The difference is the funding source: the RTP Stipend Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government’s Research Training Program, while the USYDIS is funded directly by the University of Sydney for international students who are competitive but not covered by the government RTP allocation. From the scholar’s perspective, both scholarships are identical in value and benefits.

6. Is research experience required for the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship?

No, research experience is not mandatory. However, the official University of Sydney HDR Scholarship Selection Process document clearly indicates that research experience strengthens an application. If you have peer-reviewed publications listed in Scopus, ISI, or ERA databases, relevant professional research activities, or direct research experience, submit this evidence using the official Research Experience Evidence Template. Non-standard publications (self-published, non-peer-reviewed) are not accepted and should not be submitted.

7. Can I apply for the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship if I miss the deadline?

Yes. If you submit your application after the September 11, 2026 deadline, you will automatically be considered in the next round (December 18, 2026) — as long as you are currently enrolled in your HDR degree or have submitted a deferral request by the next round deadline. You do not need to resubmit your application. However, the University strongly recommends applying before the deadline to maximize your chances of being assessed in Round 1.

Final Thoughts

The University of Sydney RTP Scholarship 2027 is one of the most valuable and prestigious research scholarships available to postgraduate researchers in Australia and internationally. With an annual stipend of AUD $42,754 that increases automatically every January, 100% tuition fee coverage, Overseas Student Health Cover, relocation support, and a thesis allowance — all at one of the world’s top 30 universities — the University of Sydney RTP Scholarship provides comprehensive support for up to 3.5 years of doctoral research. The Round 1 deadline is September 11, 2026. Apply now through the official RTP form at sydneyuniversity.formstack.com/forms/rtpapp and submit your complete admission application through Sydney Courses simultaneously.

For questions about your eligibility, application status, or the scholarship outcome process, submit an enquiry through the University of Sydney’s Ask a Question portal at sydney.edu.au/students/ask-a-question. The Scholarships Office cannot pre-assess applications or provide early results — submit your strongest application before September 11, 2026 and ensure your research experience evidence is complete and in the required format.