Graduate Research School Scholarships (UQGRSS) – includes Research Training Program (RTP)
- Enrolment status
- Future UQ student, Current UQ student
- Student type
- Domestic, International
- Study level
- Postgraduate research (HDR)
- Study area
- All study areas
- Scholarship focus
- Academic excellence
- Funding type
- Living stipend, Tuition fees
- Scholarship value
- Living stipend of $39,220 per annum tax free (2026 rate), indexed annually, Single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Scholarship duration
- 3.5 years with the possibility of 1 extension in line with UQ and RTP Scholarship Policy
- Number awarded
- May vary
About this scholarship
These scholarships include a living stipend to support you as you complete a research project for your Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or a research-focused professional doctorate at UQ.
Eligibility
You're eligible if you're:
- nominated by an enrolling school or institute at UQ
- assessed by the Graduate Research School as meeting all conditions for admission to the higher degree by research program.
How to apply
Before you apply
- Check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy.
- Identify a advisor in your field with expertise that's relevant to your proposed project. How to choose an advisor
- Prepare your documentation.
When you apply
To apply for this scholarship, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for your preferred program. You don't need to apply separately for this scholarship. How to submit an EOI
In your EOI, complete the 'Scholarship/Sponsorship' section with the following details:
- Are you applying for an advertised project: 'No'
- Are you applying for (or have you been awarded) a non-UQ scholarship or sponsorship: 'No'
- Domestic students only – select whether you would like to be considered for a living stipend scholarship in addition to a tuition fee scholarship.
While EOIs are accepted year-round, applications will only be considered for scholarship assessment within the scholarship round dates outlined below.
Steps to Apply
Applying for a Higher Degree by Research program is a 2-step process:
Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Your first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for your preferred program. The EOI allows us to assess your research background and identify whether a suitable advisor is available and willing to support your project.
We recommend submitting your EOI as early as possible. View the application dates (see below).
As part of your EOI, you'll need to provide:
- the name of your proposed advisor
- details of any scholarship you are applying for or have been awarded
- previous qualifications
- referee details
- English language proficiency information
You'll also need to upload:
- academic curriculum vitae (CV)/résumé
- English language documentation
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
Before submitting your EOI, ensure your documents meet UQ's requirements.
How to prepare required documents.
What happens after you submit an EOI?
Your nominated advisor will review your EOI. You should usually receive a response within 2 weeks but during peak periods such as examination marking, it can take longer.
If your proposed advisor is interested in working with you, they are likely to contact you to arrange an informal discussion about your research interests and project.
Step 2: Submit a full application
If your nominated advisor supports your EOI, you will be invited to submit a full application for admission and scholarship consideration.
The full application includes additional information and documents that were not required at the EOI stage.
In some cases, an agent may be required. We recommend identifying agents in advance so you can reach out to them quickly once your EOI is supported. You do not need to engage an agent at the EOI stage.
Applications from currently enrolled HDR candidates
As a currently enrolled HDR candidate (i.e., in the PhD, MPhil, or DVClinSc programs) you are welcome to apply via the round dates below. Current onshore international students are eligible for the domestic rounds.
To apply please complete our online application form.
You will be asked to supply the following:
- Details of your candidature
- Details of your Principal Advisor
- Current CV
- Two referees (yes you can use your current advisory team).
Once submitted your Principal Advisor will be sent a form to support your application and your referees will be asked to complete a referee report.
Outcomes will be issued via your student email following the dates listed below.
Application dates
To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet the closing dates for your preferred scholarship round.
International applicants (applications closed)
Domestic applicants (applications closed)
All upcoming scholarship rounds (2027)
Selection criteria
We'll consider your application against the key areas in the scholarship selection rubric (PDF, 113.46 KB), which include:
- your academic performance, evidence of research capability, quality of research project
- the quality of your proposed research environment including resourcing
- the quality of your proposed advisory team including record of successful supervision, appropriate advisory load, complementary expertise.
What happens next
We’ll email you to let you know the outcome of your application. If you're offered a scholarship, you’ll need to accept by the due date.
If you’re a current UQ student, you won’t receive an email until after the final results from your program have been published.
Rules
A domestic part-time student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition or a disability, which prevents them from studying full-time may be eligible for scholarship consideration, on a case-by-case basis. When applying to hold the living stipend scholarship part-time, please provide evidence of your carer’s responsibilities, medical condition or disability. Though not specifically requested by the portal, you may upload these under ‘Additional documents’.
UQ reserves the right to postpone or cancel scholarship rounds.