Research Degree Scholarships

Eligibility

Applicants for research degree scholarships must hold:

• a first class honours degree or equivalent to be competitive.
• a Master by coursework or a Graduate Diploma (completed at a level equivalent to first or upper second-class honours) degree from arecognised University.

In special cases, applicants with other qualifications and/or research experience may be considered.

Scholarships are open either or both to domestic (Australian citizen or Permanent Residents, or New Zealand citizens) and international (nationals of other countries) students.

Notification & acceptance

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by email. Scholarship offers need to be accepted within two weeks of the offer being made, however, you should check the date listed on your letter of offer.

All HDR financial awards, including scholarships, are governed by the ANU Higher degree by research Scholarship Policy and Procedure. Under the policy framework, each HDR financial award comes with its own ‘conditions of award’. These are the terms under which a scholarship is established and accepted. The conditions of award outline the eligibility, duration and extensions, as well as the scholar’s leave and reimbursement entitlements. A recipient is bound by the conditions that they signed and accepted in the year they commenced their scholarship. Recipients must read and familiarise themselves with the conditions of their award.

HDR Scholarships Policy »

HDR Scholarships Procedure »

Benefits

ANU stipend scholarships are tax-free for full-time students and may include:

• Paid medical leave
• Paid carer’s leave
• Paid parental leave after one year of candidature
• Dependent child allowance for International candidates
• Relocation allowance
• Thesis allowance

For details, refer to your scholarship conditions of award.

Value

The value is indexed each year.

Pay period

Scholarship stipend payments are made in fortnightly instalments into your nominated bank account. Payments can also be made for travel and removal reimbursement and dependent child allowances, depending on the conditions of award.The HR pay period cut-off date for paperwork relating to stipend payments is usually one week prior to the relevant pay day. Any paperwork must be received by the Graduate Research Office at least three working days prior to the HR pay period cut-off date to ensure timely processing. Incomplete and incorrect forms will delay request and may mean the paperwork cannot be processed in time for the HR pay period cut-off.

Overpayments

Overpayments may occur when unpaid leave requests are not received prior to the Human Resources (HR) pay period cut-off date. In such instances, a notification will be sent in writing by the HR Division to the candidate. Repayment of overpaid amounts are required in accordance with the University procedure. Candidates who remain in debt to ANU will not be permitted to submit their theses for examination or to graduate.

Cessation of payments

Scholarships payments may cease:

• at the conclusion of the period outlined in the scholarship conditions of award. A specific date will sometimes appear in offer letters;
• if a recipient does not make satisfactory progress;
• on submission of the thesis for examination (except in cases of early submission);
• on the date the recipient withdraws or ceases to attend the University other than for approved absences;
• if a recipient is no longer meeting or has breached the conditions of award; or
• if a recipient breaches academic or behavioural standards set by the University under the Academic Misconduct & Discipline Rules.

Conditions of award vary from scholarship to scholarship, so it is essential that you check the specifics in the conditions of award that relate to your scholarship.

Domestic students

Domestic students enrolling in HDR programs at ANU will be awarded an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset scholarship for the standard duration of their program (four years for PhDs, two years for MPhils).

International students

Central stipend scholarships, RTP and URS, includes a tuition fee scholarship. The Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) International Fee Offset Scholarship and the ANU HDR Fee Merit Scholarship both reflect the above annual value. Some candidates on an ANU PhD Scholarship may be awarded a HDR Fee Remission Merit Scholarship by their College. International students are otherwise liable to pay tuition fees unless they have a sponsorship arrangement is in place.

Extension of Program fee

The University has determined at this stage that no tuition fees will be charged to domestic students on program extension.

International students on program extension are liable to pay the International Extension of Program Fee (see table above), which will cover their enrolment for up to six months unless they are either sponsored by their local area or finishing their degree offshore.