Two hundred scholarships. One university. One intake year.
Adelaide University has announced one of its largest-ever research scholarship offerings for students commencing PhD or Master of Philosophy studies in 2027. Both domestic and international candidates are eligible. The funding covers tuition fees and living costs and the deadline for the primary scholarship round is 30 September 2026.
For researchers who have been looking for a fully funded pathway into postgraduate study in Australia this is a significant opening.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Adelaide University South Australia |
| Scholarships | Adelaide University Research Scholarships AURS + Research Training Program Scholarships RTPS |
| Study level | PhD and MPhil |
| Number available | 200+ |
| Intake | 2027 |
| Eligible applicants | Domestic and international |
| Tuition coverage | 100% fee waiver standard candidature duration |
| Funding | Living stipend + applicable allowances |
| Primary deadline | 30 September 2026 |
What the Funding Actually Covers
This is not a partial award or a tuition-only scholarship.
Successful recipients receive a combination of financial support designed to cover both the cost of studying and the cost of living during their research degree.
The package includes:
- Monthly living stipend for the duration of the award
- 100% tuition fee waiver for the standard candidature period
- Overseas Student Health Cover OSHC support for eligible international students
- Relocation assistance where applicable
- Additional allowances for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Three Pathways Into This Scholarship Program
Adelaide University is not running a single monolithic competition. There are three distinct scholarship pathways for 2027 each targeting a slightly different kind of candidate.
Understanding which one fits your situation before applying saves time and produces a stronger application.
The General Research Scholarships AURS and RTPS
The Adelaide University Research Scholarships and Research Training Program Scholarships form the broadest pathway. They are open across every discipline area to outstanding PhD and MPhil candidates domestic and international.
No specific research theme is required. No prescribed project. This pathway suits researchers who have a clear research direction and a proposed supervisor but are not tied to one of the university’s specific strategic focus areas.
These scholarships are awarded to the highest-ranked eligible applicants which means the quality of your application materials carries real weight. Adelaide University specifically recommends using its structured CV template to present qualifications, academic performance, publications and research experience clearly.
The Signature Research Theme SRT Scholarship Round
The SRT round is project-based. Applicants choose from scholarship-funded research projects aligned with Adelaide University’s five strategic research themes:
- Creative and Cultural
- Defence and National Security
- Food Agriculture and Wine
- Personal and Societal Health
- Sustainable Green Transition
This pathway suits researchers whose interests naturally align with one of these areas and who are comfortable working within a defined collaborative research community rather than pursuing a fully self-directed project.
Some individual SRT projects carry specific eligibility restrictions. Browse the university’s research project database before committing to this pathway. Project fit is assessed alongside academic merit.
The Graduate Research Talent Scheme
This is the most flexible of the three pathways and the one most candidates overlook.
The Talent Scheme is aimed at high-performing domestic applicants and international applicants who have completed a relevant Australian or New Zealand qualification. What makes it different is the research project flexibility.
Applicants can:
- Propose their own original research project
- Select a project from the university’s existing research listings
- Work with a prospective supervisor to develop a new project together
That level of flexibility is uncommon in scholarship programs of this scale.
The Talent Scheme also runs across three separate application rounds which matters practically for researchers who miss the September deadline or are still completing their current degree.
| Round | Expected Opening | Expected Close |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Early October 2026 | Early November 2026 |
| Round 2 | Mid-February 2027 | Late March 2027 |
| Round 3 | Mid-July 2027 | Mid-August 2027 |
Missing the primary September deadline does not close this opportunity. It just shifts which round you target.
Disciplines and Research Areas
The scholarship program covers a genuinely broad range of research fields. This is not a STEM-only competition.
Project-based scholarships across the Signature Research Themes span sustainability, health sciences, agriculture, food and wine research, defence technology, national security and creative and cultural studies. The general AURS and RTPS pathway extends across all research disciplines the university supports.
Researchers can browse available projects through Adelaide University’s research project database before deciding which pathway and project to pursue. For candidates who want to propose their own direction the Talent Scheme removes the need to find a matching listed project entirely.
Building a Competitive Application
Scholarships are awarded to the highest-ranked eligible applicants. Meeting the minimum criteria gets you into the pool. Standing out requires something more deliberate.
Adelaide University recommends preparing:
- Academic transcripts and qualification records
- Evidence of research outputs, publications, conference presentations, and thesis work
- Professional or research experience documentation
- A structured CV using the university’s recommended template
- A clear articulation of your research interests and alignment with your chosen pathway
How to Apply
You can apply online from the official website and the link is given below.
