Sydney RTP Stipend 2027: Apply by 18 December

The University of Sydney awards Research Training Program (RTP) scholarships to international students doing a PhD or a research Master’s. The package is generous: a stipend of A$44,293 per year (2027 rate), 100% tuition fees and Overseas Student Health Cover, or the equivalent University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS) with a full tuition scholarship.

For the research periods 3 and 4 of 2027 the submission deadline is 18 December 2026. The earlier round, for research periods 1 and 2 of 2027, closed on 11 September 2026, so 18 December 2026 is the date Indian students should aim at now.

Table of Contents

University of Sydney RTP Stipend Scholarship 2027

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	Research Training Program (RTP) of the Australian Government, awarded by the University of Sydney, with equivalent university scholarships such as the University of Sydney International Stipend Scholarship (USYDIS)
Study level	Higher degree by research – PhD (Research Doctorate) or Research Master’s, full-time, at the University of Sydney. Part-time study may be approved in special circumstances if your visa allows it.
Who can apply	International students who are commencing or already enrolled in a higher degree by research, and who apply for admission and submit the scholarship application form by the round deadline. The awards are competitive.
What is covered	A$44,293 per year stipend (2027 rate; A$42,754 for 2026, indexed every 1 January), 100% tuition fees for up to 14 research periods and Overseas Student Health Cover with the RTP Fee Offset, a relocation allowance of up to A$1,485 each way and a thesis allowance.
Duration	Up to 14 research periods full-time for a Research Doctorate and up to 7 research periods for a Research Master’s, with no extension. Study already completed towards the degree is deducted.
Last date to apply	18 December 2026 for research periods 3 and 4, 2027. The round for research periods 1 and 2, 2027 closed on 11 September 2026.
Official website	sydney.edu.au – RTP scholarships for international students

Go to official website

What the Sydney RTP package pays for

Stipend of A$44,293 per year (2027 rate) to cover living costs, paid fortnightly and indexed on 1 January each year.
100% tuition fees for up to 14 research periods through the RTP Fee Offset – this alone is worth tens of thousands of dollars a year for an international student.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) under the RTP Fee Offset, which is the health insurance an international student visa requires.
A relocation allowance of up to A$1,485 for travel from your home country to Sydney, and up to A$1,485 for the return journey after you complete the degree.
A thesis allowance – up to A$420 for a Master’s candidate and up to A$840 for a doctoral candidate – for the direct costs of producing the thesis.
The USYDIS route gives the same A$44,293 stipend plus the University of Sydney Tuition Fee Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition for up to 14 research periods.

University of Sydney RTP Stipend eligibility

You must be an international student at the time of the award – Indian students are eligible for the international stipend and the fee offset.
You must enrol in a full-time higher degree by research at the University of Sydney. Part-time awards need special circumstances such as a medical condition, financial hardship or carer’s responsibilities, and must be allowed by your visa.
You must apply for admission to the research degree through Sydney Courses and submit all required admission documents by the deadline.
You must submit the scholarship application form from the Scholarships Office website – admission alone does not put you in the scholarship round.
Awards are competitive and are decided on academic merit, research experience and the availability of a high-quality research environment, so your supervisor and research proposal matter.

Documents and forms for the Sydney RTP Stipend

Your admission application and all admission documents for the higher degree by research, submitted through Sydney Courses.
The scholarship application form from the Scholarships Office website.
The research experience evidence template and the research experience information and appendix guide, which the university asks you to read and use before you start the application.
The HDR scholarship selection process document, which explains how the committee assesses academic merit and research experience.
The official Frequently Asked Questions page for RTP scholarships at Sydney, for questions about enrolment, deferral and visa status.

How to apply for the RTP Stipend Scholarship at Sydney

Confirm that you are applying for a research degree – a PhD or a Research Master’s, not a coursework Master’s.
Prepare your research proposal and evidence of research experience using the university’s template and appendix guide.
Submit your admission application through Sydney Courses well before the round deadline, because admission and scholarship decisions are linked.
Fill in and submit the scholarship application form from the Scholarships Office website before 18 December 2026 for the research periods 3 and 4 of 2027.
Watch for the outcome from 26 February 2027 – offshore applicants are finalised by 18 May 2027 and onshore applicants by 30 June 2027.
If the earlier round is your target, note the pattern: submission deadlines are 11 September or 18 December for the following year, and about 10 September for research periods 1 and 2 of 2028.

One rule to keep in mind: you may hold another award, scholarship or salary along with the RTP Stipend only if that benefit is worth less than 75% of the stipend. The scholarship is terminated if the limit is crossed. Salary for work unrelated to your research does not count towards the limit.

University of Sydney RTP important dates

11 September 2026	Submission deadline for research periods 1 and 2, 2027 (closed)
10 November 2026	Outcomes for research periods 1 and 2, 2027 begin to be issued
17 December 2026	Outcomes for research periods 1 and 2, 2027 finalised
18 December 2026	Last date to apply for research periods 3 and 4, 2027
26 February 2027	Outcomes for research periods 3 and 4, 2027 begin to be issued
18 May 2027 (offshore) / 30 June 2027 (onshore)	Outcomes for research periods 3 and 4, 2027 finalised

What is the University of Sydney RTP Stipend Scholarship?

It is a scholarship funded by the Australian Government’s Research Training Program and awarded by the University of Sydney to international students doing a PhD or a research Master’s. It pays a stipend of A$44,293 per year at the 2027 rate, plus tuition fees and health cover through the RTP Fee Offset.

What is the last date to apply for the Sydney RTP Stipend?

For research periods 3 and 4 of 2027 the submission deadline is 18 December 2026. The round for research periods 1 and 2 of 2027 closed on 11 September 2026.

How much is the University of Sydney RTP stipend?

The university lists A$44,293 per year as the 2027 rate and A$42,754 per year as the 2026 rate. The stipend is indexed on 1 January every year.

Is the University of Sydney RTP Stipend open to Indian students?

Yes. The RTP Stipend Scholarship is open to international students, and Indian applicants also qualify for the RTP Fee Offset, which covers 100% of tuition fees for up to 14 research periods, and for Overseas Student Health Cover.

Do I need a Master’s degree to apply for a Sydney research scholarship?

It depends on the degree you target. A research Master’s is a research degree in its own right, while a PhD normally needs a strong Bachelor’s with research experience or a Master’s. The university assesses academic merit and research experience, and the selection process document explains how.

Can I work or hold another scholarship while receiving the RTP Stipend?

You may hold another award, scholarship or salary only if the benefit is worth less than 75% of the RTP Stipend. The scholarship ends if that limit is exceeded. Salary from work unrelated to your research is not counted.

How long does the Sydney RTP Stipend last?

Up to 14 research periods full time for a Research Doctorate and up to 7 research periods for a Research Master’s. No extension is possible, and study already completed towards the degree is deducted from the maximum tenure.

University of Sydney RTP Stipend Scholarship 2027 for International Students