Application

How to Apply for an RTP Scholarship (2027)

You apply to a university, not to the Government. At most big universities, a complete research degree application in the right round puts you into scholarship ranking automatically.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 3 min read Updated Oct 6, 2026

The process in one view

1
Step 1
Choose universities and rounds
Match your field to strong groups, then line up each university’s international closing date on our rounds table.
2
Step 2
Find a supervisor
Most universities want a named supervisor. Monash’s form won’t let you go further without one.
3
Step 3
Expression of Interest (where used)
UQ asks for an EOI first. If the supervisor supports it, you are invited to submit a final application.
4
Step 4
Admission application, plus any scholarship form
Upload transcripts, CV, proposal, English evidence and referee details. Sydney also needs its scholarship application form.
5
Step 5
Ranking and offers
Faculties score and rank candidates. Scholarship and admission offers usually arrive around the same time.
6
Step 6
Accept, enrol and get a visa
Accept both offers, get your Confirmation of Enrolment and apply for a student visa with OSHC arranged.

Do you need a separate scholarship application?

University	How scholarship consideration works
Melbourne	Automatic if you apply for a graduate research course by its closing date. A scholarship application appears on your record within ten business days.
ANU	No separate form. Choose scholarship consideration in your admission application.
Monash	No need to pick scholarships: eligible applicants are considered for all of them. One application per round.
UQ	EOI first; the final application is by invitation once a supervisor supports you.
Sydney	Apply for admission and submit the scholarship application form by the deadline.

Sources: Melbourne, ANU, Monash, UQ, Sydney.

Step 1: Choose universities and rounds

Start with the research, not the ranking table. Find three to six groups that publish in your area, then check which universities still have an international round you can make. You can apply to more than one university, and more than once at the same university, according to the RTP FAQs. Each one assesses you separately.

Step 2: Supervisor first

Supervisor support is part of the ranking at many universities. ANU lists “supervisor support” among its selection factors, and UQ will not invite a final application without it. The supervisor page covers how to search and what to write.

Step 3: The UQ-style EOI

At UQ, the EOI asks for your proposed supervisor, the scholarship you are applying for, previous qualifications, at least two referees, English evidence, an academic CV, and transcripts and degree certificates. UQ says you should hear from the supervisor within two weeks; if you haven’t heard after four, contact the university. If one supervisor declines, you can nominate another and submit a new EOI (UQ EOI page).

Timing tip for UQ

UQ’s international EOI window opened on 20 August 2026 and final applications close on 19 October 2026. Because a supervisor has to respond before you are invited to apply, an EOI sent in the last week may not convert in time.

Step 4: The full application

Most universities ask for the same core documents: transcripts and degree certificates, a grading-scale explanation, English evidence, a research proposal, an academic CV and referee details. Monash caps the CV at two pages and says not to include a photo or date of birth (Monash: applying with us). The full list, with a tracker, is on Documents.

Make sure the application is complete by the deadline. Melbourne’s MDHS faculty says only complete applications submitted by the due date are assessed in that round.

Step 5: Ranking and outcomes

After the round closes, faculties score applicants on academic record and research potential, then rank them. Some contact applicants for an interview or more information. Monash releases scholarship outcomes about six to ten weeks after the round closes, and starts admission assessment for new students after that. See How Ranking Works.

Step 6: After the offer

Accept by the deadline in your offer letter, or the offer can lapse; UTS’s conditions say exactly that (UTS 2026 conditions). Then accept your admission offer, receive your Confirmation of Enrolment and lodge your student visa application. Check the start rules too: Sydney expects you to start by the census date of your intake, in the year of the award, and allows deferral only within the same calendar year (Sydney RTP terms).