What Nigerians should know about 2026 Australia’s fully funded scholarship

The application for Australia’s 2026 fully funded Research Training Programme scholarship is ongoing, offering Nigerian and other international students the opportunity to pursue Master’s by Research and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at participating Australian universities.

The scholarship, funded by the Australian Government, supports higher degree by research students through eligible Australian universities and covers full tuition fees, a living stipend and other research-related allowances.

According to information published on the Australian Government’s Department of Education’s website, prospective applicants cannot apply through a central government portal, as each participating university administers its own application and selection process.

The programme is open to both domestic and international students, including Nigerians, provided they meet the admission and English language requirements of their chosen university.

The RTP replaced the Australian Postgraduate Award, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Research Training Scheme in 2017 and is designed to support research training while producing graduates equipped for careers in academia, industry and other sectors.

Successful applicants may receive support covering tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses and allowances related to the ancillary costs of undertaking higher degree research.

For 2026, the full-time base RTP stipend is valued at AUD 34,315 per year, while some universities may offer higher stipends depending on their funding arrangements

The scholarship is available for up to two years for Master’s by Research students and up to four years for PhD candidates studying full-time.

Applications are currently open through participating universities, with deadlines varying by institution.

While some universities have application rounds closing between July and October 2026 for early 2027 admission, others operate different admission cycles throughout the year.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to identify universities that align with their research interests, prepare the required documents, including a research proposal, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, referee reports and proof of English proficiency, and submit their admission and scholarship applications through the university’s graduate research portal.

The Department of Education advised prospective students to contact their preferred university directly, noting that there is no single application portal for the scholarship.

Note:

1. It is a fully funded scholarship covering full tuition fees, a living stipend and, in many cases, additional allowances.
2. It is available only for Master’s by Research and PhD programmes.
3. Nigerians and other international students are eligible to apply.
4. There is no central application portal; applicants must apply directly through participating Australian universities.
5. Application deadlines vary by university, with multiple admission rounds held throughout the year.
6. The scholarship is highly competitive, making a strong academic record, quality research proposal and good recommendation letters essential.
7. The duration is up to two years for Master’s by Research and four years for PhD programmes.
   Many universities also provide benefits such as Overseas Student Health Cover, relocation support and paid leave provisions.
8. There is no fixed age limit, although applicants are expected to demonstrate strong research potential.
9. Most universities require proof of English language proficiency, usually through IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, depending on institutional requirements.

Applicants are advised to consult the website of their preferred university for specific eligibility criteria, deadlines and application requirements before submitting their applications.

Application guide:https://www.education.gov.au/research-block-grants/research-training-program