Research scholarships

Source: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/how-to-apply/scholarship-opportunities/scholarship-search/international-scholarship-round Parent: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/how-to-apply/scholarship-opportunities

International Scholarship Round

Apply for the International Research Training Program (iRTP) scholarship and the International Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship Program (iMQRES) for Session 2 2026.

The number of international places funded through the RTP varies from year to year. Those applying for an iRTP will be automatically considered for the University funded iMQRES in the same round.

Key details

• iRTP, iMQRES

• MRes, PhD

• Applications open 19 January 2026, close 1 March at 11pm

• International

• All

• $39,700 p.a. (2026 rate)

About the scholarship

The iRTP is the Australian Government’s Research Training Program Scholarship scheme for international graduate research students. This scheme is administered by individual universities on behalf of the Department of Education. Applications for iRTP Scholarships are made directly to participating universities.

The iMQRES scheme is a Macquarie University Macquarie University scholarship program that aims to support exceptional international graduate research students enrolled in research priority areas aligned with the University’s Research Strategy 2035 as well as that of the broader University.

Selection process

Macquarie University has its own application and selection process, as outlined in the Research Training Program Scholarship (RTP) Policy and the Macquarie University HDR Scholarship Rating Criteria.

Macquarie University:

• ranks applicants on the basis of academic merit, relevant research output and experience and/or potential and the University’s Research Strategy
• assesses overseas qualifications using Australian Government guidelines to determine their comparability to qualifications on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Selection processes for applicants to be awarded the International Research Training Program Scholarship (iRTP) and International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (iMQRES) will also include considerations of the Research Environment. This may include:

• an evaluation of the alignment of the applicant's project with Macquarie University’s research strategy and research priorities
• the quality of the supervisory team
• the international standing of the research area.

Awards will only be available to applicants who, at the time of application:

• are a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand, and not an Australian permanent resident
• intend to reside in Sydney, Australia during their candidature
• plan to undertake a Master of Research or Doctor of Philosophy in S2 2026 full-time
• meet the admission criteria for commencement into the Master of Research (MRes - refer to schedule 2.3) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• at the time of application meet the English language requirement for Macquarie research degree
• satisfy all the criteria for admission to Macquarie University
• will have a valid visa enabling the commencement of onshore study in Session 2 2026
• have completed their degree, if applying for a Master of Research. Applicants in the final semester of their program will not be eligible* (except for Macquarie applicants)
• have completed their degree, if applying for a Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants in the final semester of their program will not be eligible (except for Macquarie applicants and all applicants applying for MQBS)
• have confirmation of supervision from an eligible Macquarie University researcher (compulsory for FOA, FMHHS, FSE and desirable for MQBS).

*Those applying for the Master of Research, who are onshore in Australia, and in the final semester of their program should apply for the International Road to Research Scholarship.

Awards will not be available to those who:

• are currently enrolled in a progressing Macquarie cohort (MRes Year 1 to Year 2 or MRes to PhD)
• commenced enrolment in a Macquarie University graduate research program prior to 1 January 2026
• are receiving another equivalent or major award, full scholarship (eg tuition and stipend) or salary to undertake the proposed program
• have already completed a research degree at the same or higher level than the proposed candidature in the same program of study
• provide false or misleading information to the University. Where there is reason to believe this condition has not been upheld, the University reserves the right to reassess the student’s entitlement to the award
• submit incomplete applications.

Applications will be withdrawn if they are incomplete. Applications cannot be held over to a future scholarship round. If you miss the deadline you will need to re-apply for the next round.

Award-holders may:

• be in receipt of minor awards (eg a tuition only or stipend only scholarship), allowances or other earnings which are supplementary to an iRTP or iMQRES, or derived from part-time work undertaken within the guidelines set by the relevant scholarship conditions
• receive stipend top-up funding from industry or other sources to a maximum equivalent of 75 per cent of the Research Training Program (RTP) stipend rate at Macquarie University
• be in receipt of additional funds for field work, equipment and other such expenses not covered by the award.

If you are seeking to establish eligibility for a scholarship you are encouraged to provide full documentation of your achievements to assist in the assessment of your qualifications.

Other relevant research qualifications which may be considered include:

• completion of a research masters degree or equivalent eg a coursework masters with a substantial research component. You will be asked to provide information on your thesis eg the abstract, examiner reports, thesis copy, length, grade, examination process and the percentage of research component in the course
• published research, preferably in refereed publications eg journals, books, book chapters etc
• conference presentations, preferably refereed
• highly relevant and substantial work-related research experience.

Successful PhD iRTP applicants will receive:

• a tuition fee offset for a maximum of three years
• a living allowance stipend for up to three years ($39,700 per annum at the 2026 rate)
• a travel concession, applied to their local transport OPAL card.

Successful PhD iMQRES applicants will receive:

• a tuition fee offset for a maximum of three years
• a living allowance stipend for up to three years ($39,700 per annum at the 2026 rate).

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria for the PhD program may be:

• counter-offered entry to the MRes with provisional three-year PhD
• offered a scholarship to cover the MRes portion of the program, if ranked competitively.

We encourage applicants to submit their application as early as possible prior to the deadline.

All applicants should select ‘International Research Scholarship’ as the scholarship type in their application.

Applicants who are already enrolled (commenced an MQ graduate research program in S1 2026 only) or have received a valid Macquarie University letter of offer for PhD within the last six months, must submit an online graduate research application for Scholarship Only. See more information about how to submit a Scholarship Only application.

Outcomes will be available in May 2026. If you do not receive an outcome notification by 15 June 2026, please consider your application as unsuccessful.