University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Research Guide
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships, including Melbourne Research Scholarship and RTP Scholarship |
| Funded by | University of Melbourne and Australian Government RTP funding |
| Host country | Australia |
| Study level | Masters by Research and Doctoral degree / PhD |
| Coverage | 100% fee remission and up to AUD $135,000 total value |
| Stipend | AUD $39,500 per year pro rata, based on the official 2026 full-time rate |
| Deadline | New applicants are automatically considered if they apply by the course deadline; current/deferred students must apply by 31 October 2026 for following-year consideration |
| Official page | https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships |
The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are among the strongest Australia research funding options for international PhD and masters-by-research applicants. The official scholarship page states that around 600 awards are available and that international students can be considered for fee remission, stipend support, relocation funding, and Overseas Student Health Cover.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition / fee offset | Full fee offset for up to two years for a Masters by Research, or up to four years for a doctoral degree |
| Living allowance | AUD $39,500 per year pro rata, using the official 2026 full-time study rate |
| Duration of stipend | Up to two years for a Masters by Research; up to 3.5 years for a doctoral degree |
| Relocation grant | AUD $2,000 for students moving from outside Victoria; AUD $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia |
| Health cover | OSHC Single Membership for international students who require a student visa |
| Award value | Officially listed as 100% fee remission and up to AUD $135,000 |
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Have applied for, and meet the entry requirements for, a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne; or
- Be currently enrolled in a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne.
- Compete on academic merit and research potential.
- Prepare a strong research fit, supervisor alignment, publications or portfolio evidence where relevant.
- Check the course-specific graduate research deadline, because new students are automatically considered only when the course application is submitted by the relevant closing date.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You have not applied for a University of Melbourne graduate research degree.
- You are applying for coursework-only study rather than a research degree.
- You miss your course deadline and rely on scholarship consideration after the intake has closed.
- You are a current or deferred student seeking reconsideration but do not submit the online scholarship form by 31 October.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Choose the correct research degree
Start with the University of Melbourne graduate research course pages and confirm whether your target program is a Masters by Research, Doctor of Philosophy, or another eligible graduate research pathway.
Step 2: Build your supervisor and research case
Although the scholarship page says selection is based on academic merit and research potential, your research fit still matters. Prepare a focused proposal, evidence of publications or thesis work, and a clear reason Melbourne is the right host institution.
Step 3: Submit the graduate research course application
New students do not need a separate scholarship application. If you apply for admission by the course closing date, the university says you will be automatically considered for Graduate Research Scholarships.
Step 4: Watch for scholarship confirmation
The university says applicants receive notification that a scholarship application has been added to their record within ten business days of submitting the course application.
Step 5: Use the 31 October rule if you are current or deferred
Current graduate research students, and students who accepted an offer but deferred commencement to be reconsidered for funding, must submit the online scholarship form by 31 October 2026 to be considered for the following year.
Comparison With Related Australia Research Scholarships
| Scholarship | Host | Typical value | Deadline pattern | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships | University of Melbourne | 100% fee remission + AUD $39,500/yr stipend + relocation + OSHC | Course deadline for new applicants; 31 Oct for current/deferred students | Broad PhD and research master’s applicants |
| University of Sydney RTP / USYDIS | University of Sydney | 2027 stipend listed in our guide at AUD $44,293/yr plus fee-offset consideration | Sep/Dec 2026 rounds | HDR applicants comparing Australian Group of Eight options |
| UWA RTP / International HDR Round | University of Western Australia | RTP stipend and tuition consideration; 2026 RTP stipend AUD $38,110/yr in our guide | Sep 15, 2026 round | Applicants ready for an urgent September Australia HDR deadline |
For more Australia options, compare this guide with `/university-of-sydney-rtp-scholarship-2027-guide` and `/uwa-rtp-scholarship-2027-guide`.
Insider Tips
1. Treat automatic consideration as a deadline, not a shortcut
Automatic consideration only helps if your course application is complete by the graduate research closing date. Do not wait for a separate scholarship form if you are a new applicant.
2. Make research potential visible
Selection panels rank applicants by academic achievement and research potential. Put thesis quality, publications, conference work, specialist qualifications, research employment, or creative outputs where the admissions committee can evaluate them.
3. Budget beyond the stipend
AUD $39,500 per year is substantial, but Melbourne living costs are high. Build a budget for rent deposits, flights, visa charges, laptop costs, family support, and any period before stipend payments begin.
4. Check whether your faculty has earlier internal dates
The headline scholarship page gives the 31 October date for current/deferred students. New applicants still need to follow the course or faculty deadline, which may be earlier.
5. Use the relocation grant correctly
International scholarship holders may receive AUD $3,000 for relocation. Keep receipts and plan for costs the grant may not fully cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship open to international students?
Yes. The official page lists domestic and international students as eligible student types.
Do new applicants need a separate scholarship application?
No. The official page says new graduate research applicants are automatically considered when they apply for the course by the relevant course closing date.
What is the stipend amount?
The official page lists AUD $39,500 per year pro rata, using the 2026 full-time study rate.
Is the 31 October deadline for everyone?
No. It is specifically stated for current students and students who accepted and deferred commencement in order to be reconsidered for a scholarship. New applicants must check their graduate research course deadline.
Is it fully funded?
It can be fully funded for successful stipend-and-fee-offset recipients: tuition, living allowance, relocation support, and OSHC are listed. Some awards may be fee-offset only, so read the offer carefully.
Timeline Table
| Date / Stage | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Now | Identify the graduate research degree, supervisor fit, and faculty requirements |
| Before course deadline | Submit the admission application for automatic scholarship consideration |
| Within ten business days | Check for confirmation that scholarship consideration has been added to your record |
| 31 October 2026 | Deadline for current or deferred students seeking scholarship reconsideration for the following year |
| Offer period | Review whether your offer includes stipend plus fee offset, or fee offset only |
Your Action Plan
1. Shortlist your research degree and supervisor group.
2. Read the course deadline, not just the central scholarship page.
3. Prepare transcripts, research proposal, CV, publications, and referee details.
4. Submit the graduate research course application before the deadline.
5. Save proof of submission and watch for the scholarship consideration notice.
6. Compare Melbourne with Sydney and UWA using `/university-of-sydney-rtp-scholarship-2027-guide` and `/uwa-rtp-scholarship-2027-guide`.
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