University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027

Overview

The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are among Australia's most generous awards for postgraduate research students. The university runs two primary schemes: the Melbourne Research Scholarship (for domestic students) and the Graduate Research Scholarships, which include the Research Training Program (RTP) for both domestic and international students. These scholarships are awarded on academic merit and research potential to students enrolling in a Master's by Research or PhD.

For 2026, the living allowance is A$39,500 per year (full-time rate), with a full fee offset covering tuition for the duration of the degree. Doctoral students can receive funding for up to 3.5 years; Master's by Research students receive up to 2 years. Relocation grants are available: A$2,000 for students moving from other Australian states, A$3,000 for those coming from overseas.

The University of Melbourne ranks among the top 35 universities globally and is Australia's highest-ranked institution in several major ranking systems. Its research output spans every major discipline, from biomedical sciences and engineering to arts, law, and social sciences. Graduate research students work with leading supervisors, use advanced research infrastructure, and live in one of the world's most liveable cities.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	University of Melbourne, funded through the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and university resources
Host Country	Australia
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD
Value	Living allowance of A$39,500 per year (2026 rate), full fee offset (tuition waiver), relocation grant of A$2,000 (interstate) or A$3,000 (international), and Overseas Student Health Cover for international students
Deadline	October 2026
Duration	Up to 2 years for Master's by Research; up to 3.5 years for PhD (with fee offset for up to 4 years)
Eligible Nationalities	Open to both domestic (Australian/NZ citizens and permanent residents) and international students from all countries
Official Website	https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants are ranked on academic merit: the achievement level of their most recently completed degree and their demonstrated research potential. Publications in refereed journals, a completed research degree at the same level, relevant professional experience, and specialist qualifications may also be considered.

Nationality Requirements

Open to domestic students (Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents) and international students from all countries. Both groups compete for the same scholarship on merit.

Language Requirements

International applicants must meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirements, which require IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL 79 iBT. Some programmes have higher requirements.

Work Experience

No formal work experience is required. Relevant professional experience and a demonstrated research track record (publications, conference presentations, research projects) strengthen the application and may contribute to the merit ranking.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be enrolling in a graduate research degree (Master's by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne. Students who already hold a research qualification at the same or higher level are not eligible. The scholarship is for full-time study.

Scholarship Benefits

• Living allowance of A$39,500 per year (2026 full-time rate), indexed annually
• Full fee offset (tuition fee waiver) for up to 2 years (Master's) or 4 years (PhD)
• Relocation grant of A$2,000 for students relocating from interstate within Australia
• Relocation grant of A$3,000 for students relocating from outside Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for international students for the duration of enrollment
• Access to the University of Melbourne's research facilities and libraries
• Supervision by leading academics and researchers in the chosen field
• Thesis allowance to support research costs (amount varies by faculty)
• Eligibility to apply for additional travel grants and conference funding

How to Apply

1. Identify a Research Area and Potential Supervisor: Explore the University of Melbourne's research strengths and identify a faculty member whose interests align with yours. Making contact with a potential supervisor before applying is strongly recommended and strengthens your application.
2. Prepare Your Research Proposal: Develop a clear research proposal outlining your topic, methodology, significance, and how it fits within the university's research strengths. The quality of your proposal is a key factor in the scholarship assessment.
3. Submit Your Graduate Research Application: Apply for admission to a graduate research degree through the University of Melbourne's online application portal. If you apply by the course closing date, you are automatically considered for the Graduate Research Scholarships. No separate scholarship application is required.
4. Provide Supporting Documents: Upload all required documents: academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, research proposal, and evidence of English language proficiency. Include any publications, conference papers, or evidence of research experience.
5. Arrange Academic References: Provide contact details for two academic referees who can speak to your research potential and academic abilities. The university contacts referees directly as part of the assessment.
6. Await Scholarship Outcome: The Graduate Scholarships Committee ranks all eligible applicants based on academic merit and research potential. Scholarship offers go out in rounds, with the first offers sent within weeks of the application closing date.

Required Documents

• Completed University of Melbourne graduate research application
• Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions
• Degree certificates or proof of expected completion
• Research proposal (topic, methodology, significance, and alignment with Melbourne's strengths)
• Curriculum vitae / resume with research experience and publications highlighted
• Two academic referee contact details (referees contacted directly by the university)
• English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, for international applicants)
• Passport copy (for international applicants)
• List of publications in refereed journals (if applicable)
• Evidence of relevant professional or research experience

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	Year-round (rolling admissions for most research programmes)
Application Deadline	Strongly recommended by October 31, 2025 (for Semester 1, 2026 start); specific course deadlines vary
Results Announced	Rolling; first offers within weeks of the October deadline, subsequent rounds through early 2026
Course Start	February 2026 (Semester 1) or July 2026 (Semester 2, mid-year entry)

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Contact a potential supervisor before applying. Applications with supervisor support are far more competitive
• Invest heavily in your research proposal, as it is the primary basis for both admission and scholarship assessment
• Highlight publications, conference presentations, or research outputs that demonstrate your research capability and readiness for doctoral-level work
• Explain how your proposed research fills a gap in the existing literature

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without first identifying or contacting a potential supervisor, which weakens the application
• Submitting a vague or overly broad research proposal that does not show clear methodology or feasibility
• Missing the October 31 recommended deadline; the strongest scholarship consideration happens in the first assessment round
• Failing to provide evidence of English language proficiency by the deadline, which delays assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the University of Melbourne research scholarship stipend?

A$39,500 per year for full-time research students in 2026. The rate is indexed annually. The stipend is paid fortnightly and is tax-exempt for Australian residents.

Does the Melbourne scholarship cover tuition fees for international students?

The Graduate Research Scholarship includes a full fee offset (tuition fee waiver) for both domestic and international students. International students also receive Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their enrollment.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship?

If you apply for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne by the application closing date, you are automatically considered. There is no separate scholarship application form.

How long does the Melbourne research scholarship last?

The living allowance runs for up to 2 years for Master's by Research students and up to 3.5 years for PhD students. The fee offset continues for up to 2 years (Master's) or 4 years (PhD).

What is the relocation grant for international students?

International students relocating from outside Australia receive a one-time grant of A$3,000. Domestic students moving from a state or territory other than Victoria receive A$2,000.

Can I do a Master's by Research on this scholarship?

The scholarship covers both Master's by Research and PhD degrees. Master's students receive up to 2 years of living allowance and fee offset.

How competitive is the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship?

Competition is strong, especially for international applicants. Selection is based strictly on academic merit and research potential. Applicants with a Master's that included a research component, plus publications or strong research experience, tend to be more competitive.

Do I need to find a supervisor before applying?

Not always mandatory, but strongly recommended. Supervisor support strengthens your application and shows that your research interests align with the university's capabilities.

What fields of research are covered?

All fields offered at the University of Melbourne: arts, science, engineering, medicine, law, education, business, architecture, and more. There are no restrictions by discipline.

Can I work part-time while on the Melbourne scholarship?

International students on a student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during breaks. The scholarship requires full-time enrollment, but limited part-time work (such as teaching or research assistance) is permitted.

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