Apply
Smiling woman with short read hair, wearing a green shirt

Higher Degree by Research scholarships

Undertake a Higher Degree by Research project and you could be eligible for a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

Home Study Research degrees Higher Degree by Research scholarships

Are you passionate about the advances in knowledge in your discipline? At Curtin, there are various research funding and scholarship options that provide financial support for research programs.

Financial support comprises of a living stipend, and tuition fee offset scholarships. Having such support can ensure that you can live comfortably during your research degree.   
young male student with long hair and glasses at a desk

The 2026 RTP scholarship round is opening soon

If you’re keen to contribute to advances in your discipline through supported research, you can either apply for approved projects that are currently available, or you can submit an application for a new research project.

RTP scholarship applications are open from 1 July to 17 August 2025. Please only submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) during this period.

Find a researcher

Submitting an application for a new research project? Connect with a Curtin researcher who can support your application for a competitive scholarship.

Find a researcher

Curtin’s research reputation

Top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU 2024)

At or above world standard in 95% of research fields assessed in the latest Excellence in Research Australia (ERA)

International QS Five Stars Plus – the highest rating possible for tertiary institutions

Be supported in your ambitions

Dedicated research support

At Curtin, you will benefit from personalised support from your supervisor and from your academic school’s Director of Graduate Research throughout your research studies. We also provide a range of online study support resources for all Curtin students.

Industry connections

Curtin is renowned for our strong industry connections and collaborations. We’ll help you connect with local and global industries and create the networks that can help support your research endeavours.

Professional development

At Curtin, we provide HDR resources to help you enhance your research skills and other transferable skills that can boost your academic and industry research opportunities.

Hear from our students

Ashley Rogers is developing procedures for analysing the geochemical properties of ungrouped iron meteorites. Supported by an RTP Scholarship, her research aims to resolve how the ungrouped iron meteorites formed, to address the different mechanisms for planetary formation that occurred in the early Solar System.

“Receiving the RTP scholarship was a wonderful feeling as I was not sure how else I would be able to support myself during my PhD. Having the stipend (along with the additional funds from my research group) has enabled me to live a comfortable life within the first year and a half of my PhD.”

Jordan Fyfe

Jordan Fyfe is researching disability in the arts. Supported by a Curtin HDR Industry Internship, she is working at the Glasgow Women’s Library, using co-design with disabled artists to build community and disability pride through art-making.

“My internship has been incredibly varied … [it] has opened my eyes to the possibilities of future work in my field. I have been involved in many small projects as well as a few longer-term projects. Although I have had some outcomes, the aim of the internship was not to produce outcomes but instead to immerse myself in the day-to-day experience of working with an activism-focused organisation.”

Liyuwork’s experience as a PhD student

Current student Liyuwork shares her experience studying her PhD in Public Health, after completing her masters here at Curtin University.

- play video

Resources

Scholarship applications

Read our guidelines to help with your RTP scholarship application.

Supervisor directory

Search our directory of research supervisors.

Scholarships and funding

Learn more about the different scholarships for HDR students.

Our students

Achievements and research from our HDR students.

How to apply

New students

Applications from new students for the RTP scholarship must follow the following steps.

  1. Review the available projects linked above.
  2. Email the Project Lead expressing your interest in the scholarship, detailing how your experience and skills align with the research project and attaching your CV.

The Project Lead will shortlist their preferred applicant and write them a Primary Reference in support of their application.

If you have not been successful as a preferred candidate for your chosen project, you will be notified by the project lead, at which point you are free to review and apply for other available projects.

  1. Once you have your primary reference from a Project Lead, you will need to send the external referee template to an academic or professional referee to complete. All references are confidential and will not be viewed by the applicant and therefore, must be returned directly to the Graduate Research School at HDRSCH-applications@curtin.edu.au by the referee themselves.
  2. Finally, you will need to submit an eApplication for admission into a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) course.

As part of your admission documents you will need to submit a RTP scholarship application form.

Current Curtin HDR students wishing to apply for the RTP Scholarship please see the scholarship webpage.

All Applications close 5.00pm WST 1st September 2020.
You are viewing content for:

Domestic students

You are considered a domestic student if you are:

  • a citizen of Australia or New Zealand
  • a permanent resident of Australia
  • an Australian Permanent Humanitarian visa holder

Doesn’t sound like you? Switch to International content.