University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship 2027: Full Funding for Master’s & PhD — Requirements, Benefits & How to Apply

The University of Melbourne — ranked #1 in Australia and among the top universities globally — offers one of the most generous research funding packages available to international students through its Graduate Research Scholarships, which include the Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS) and the Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship. Around 600 of these are awarded each year, covering full tuition and a substantial living stipend for students undertaking a Master’s by Research or PhD.

If you’re researching fully funded postgraduate research opportunities in Australia, here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, funding, required documents, and how the application process actually works.

Quick Overview

Levels covered Master’s by Research, PhD Institution University of Melbourne, Australia Number of awards Approximately 600 annually (domestic and international combined) Application deadline 31 October 2026 Living allowance A$39,500 per year (2026 rate) Separate scholarship application? No — automatic consideration when you apply for the course

What the Scholarship Covers

Full fee offset (tuition fee waiver): up to 2 years for a Master’s by Research, up to 4 years for a PhD
Living allowance: A$39,500 per year (2026 full-time rate, paid fortnightly, indexed annually), for up to 2 years (Master’s by Research) or up to 3.5 years (PhD) — includes limited paid sick, maternity, and parenting leave
Relocation grant: A$2,000 for students moving from another Australian state or territory, or A$3,000 for students relocating from outside Australia
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): single membership included for international students who require a student visa

This is one of the strongest research funding packages in Australia — the stipend is tax-exempt for the standard duration of a research degree for Australian residents, though international students should confirm their own tax position with the university or a tax advisor.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be enrolling in — or already enrolled in — a graduate research degree (Master’s by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne
You must not already hold a research qualification at the same level or higher as the one you’re applying for
Typically, a four-year Australian Bachelor’s degree (or recognised international equivalent) is required, including a research component worth at least 25% of your final year — though specific entry requirements vary by course, so check your chosen programme carefully
English language proficiency is required for international applicants — commonly IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 79, though some programmes set higher thresholds
Selection is merit-based: applicants are ranked according to academic achievement in their most recent degree, research potential, relevant professional experience, publications, and (where applicable) specialist qualifications

How the Application Actually Works

This is the part that trips people up: there is no separate scholarship application form. The scholarship and your course application are the same process.

Choose your research area and course — Master’s by Research or PhD — from the University of Melbourne’s course list.
Find a potential supervisor. This isn’t always a strict formal requirement, but it’s strongly recommended and, in many faculties, effectively necessary — your research proposal is assessed for alignment with available supervisory expertise, so reaching out to a potential supervisor in your field before applying significantly strengthens your application.
Prepare your research proposal. This is a core part of your application and is used to assess research readiness and fit with the department.
Submit your application through the University of Melbourne’s online application portal (or via an education agent) by the deadline, including academic transcripts, a CV, your research proposal, and evidence of English proficiency.
Automatic scholarship consideration. If you apply by the advertised deadline and are eligible, you’re automatically considered for a Graduate Research Scholarship — no extra form needed.
Provisional documentation is accepted in some cases, provided your final results are submitted by the required deadline.

If you’re not selected for a stipend-based scholarship, you may still be offered a place as a full fee-paying student, so it’s worth applying even if funding isn’t guaranteed.

Required Documents

Academic transcripts from all previous study
CV/resume detailing education, research experience, publications, and any relevant professional background
Research proposal
Evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or accepted equivalent)
Details of any external scholarship funding, if applicable

Exact document requirements can vary by faculty and course, so always check the specific entry requirements listed on your chosen course page.

Key Dates

Application deadline (new applicants): 31 October 2026
Currently enrolled students applying for a scholarship for the following year must also apply online by 31 October 2026
International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well before the deadline to allow time for visa processing and scholarship assessment

Official Resources

Melbourne Research Scholarship page: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/melbourne-research-scholarship
Graduate Research Scholarships overview: https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/graduate-research-scholarships
International graduate research application guide: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/graduate-research/international-applications/applications

Always confirm current entry requirements, English proficiency thresholds, and course-specific deadlines on the official pages before applying, as these are set at the course level and can differ across faculties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship? No. Applying for the graduate research course by the deadline automatically puts you forward for scholarship consideration.

Is a supervisor mandatory before I apply? Not always formally required, but strongly recommended — your research proposal is assessed for fit with available supervisors, so securing interest from one in advance makes your application significantly more competitive.

What if I don’t get the stipend scholarship? You may still be offered a place as a full fee-paying student, so an unsuccessful scholarship outcome doesn’t necessarily mean an unsuccessful course application.

Is this scholarship only for PhD students? No — it also covers Master’s by Research degrees, with slightly shorter funding durations than PhD.

What’s the difference between MRS and RTP? Both provide equivalent-level support (tuition offset plus stipend); domestic students typically receive an RTP-linked offer, while both domestic and international students can be awarded the broader Graduate Research Scholarship package.

Don’t Wait on This One

With around 600 awards given competitively each year and a hard deadline of 31 October 2026, strong applications — especially research proposals aligned with a willing supervisor — take real time to put together. Starting early gives you the best shot at both admission and funding.

Want expert guidance through the process? Our experienced student counsellors can help you refine your research proposal, connect with the right programme, and put together a competitive application — reach out and let’s get started.

Follow @stepbystepscholarshipguide for more fully funded scholarship breakdowns, deadlines, and step-by-step application guidance.