Most scholarship programs add a layer of work on top of an already demanding application process. Melbourne does the opposite.
Apply for a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne and you are automatically considered for scholarship funding. No separate form. No additional portal. No second deadline to track.
For roughly 600 students each year, the process results in full tuition coverage, a living stipend of AUD 39500 per year, relocation support and health cover for international applicants. The combined package is valued at up to AUD 135000.
The Melbourne Research Scholarships 2027 cycle is open now.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| University | University of Melbourne |
| Scholarships | Melbourne Research Scholarship MRS + RTP Scholarship |
| Annual awards | Approximately 600 |
| Annual stipend | AUD 39500 2026 full-time rate |
| Tuition coverage | Full up to 2 years Master’s or 4 years PhD |
| Relocation grant | AUD 2000 domestic AUD 3000 international |
| Health cover | OSHC Single Membership for international students |
| Total package value | Up to AUD 135000 |
| Who can apply | Domestic and international students |
| Separate application | Not required for most new applicants |
| Enrolled or deferred deadline | 31 October annual |
What the Scholarship Actually Covers
The funding package has four distinct components. Each one matters.
Living stipend: AUD 39500 per year at the 2026 full-time rate. Master’s by research students receive this for up to two years. Doctoral students for up to 3.5 years. The stipend includes limited paid sick leave, maternity leave, and parenting leave. It may also be indexed annually, meaning it could increase over the course of the degree.
Tuition fees: Fully covered, up to two years for a Master’s by research degree up to four years for a doctorate. For international students, Melbourne’s tuition fees are substantial making this component one of the most financially significant parts of the award.
Relocation support: AUD 2000 for students moving from other Australian states or territories. AUD 3000 for students relocating from outside Australia. A modest but practical contribution toward the real costs of moving for a research degree.
Overseas Student Health Cover: International students on a student visa receive OSHC Single Membership. This is not optional for Australian student visa holders so having it covered removes both a financial and administrative burden from the first weeks of arrival.
How the Application Works
Here is what separates Melbourne’s scholarship process from most others. You do not apply for the scholarship separately.
Eligible applicants who submit a graduate research program application before the relevant closing date are automatically entered into scholarship consideration. Within ten business days of applying you will receive confirmation that a scholarship application has been added to your admission record.
That is it.
No secondary portal. No scholarship-specific personal statement. No separate deadline to manage alongside the degree application.
The one exception: Students who have already deferred their commencement or who are currently enrolled in a Melbourne graduate research program must submit an online scholarship application form by 31 October to be considered for the following academic year.
If that applies to you the 31 October deadline is the one date you cannot afford to miss.
Who Is Eligible
The scholarships are open to:
- Domestic students applying for a graduate research degree at Melbourne
- International students applying for a graduate research degree at Melbourne
- Students currently enrolled in a Melbourne graduate research program
- Students who have deferred their commencement
Programs are available across a genuinely broad range of disciplines:
Engineering, health sciences, law, information technology, environmental studies, business and economics education, agriculture and veterinary sciences, arts and humanities, architecture and design science and music and performing arts.
One thing worth noting: Automatic consideration does not mean automatic selection. Around 600 scholarships are awarded annually but the University of Melbourne attracts graduate research applicants from across the world. The streamlined application process is an advantage. It does not reduce the competition.
Selection Process for Melbourne Research Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded primarily on academic merit and research potential. The selection panel considers:
- Academic performance in your most recently completed degree
- Research capability and demonstrated potential
- Relevant professional experience
- Academic publications where applicable
- Specialist qualifications
- Creative outputs such as original compositions for music applicants
The weighting given to each factor varies by discipline. A science or engineering applicant will be assessed differently from a music or humanities researcher. What remains consistent across fields is the emphasis on the most recent degree results and the clarity of research potential.
Strong grades alone are not sufficient if the research capability signals are weak. A compelling research proposal and a well-matched supervisor can make a meaningful difference to how a panel reads the same academic record.
The Melbourne Advantage Beyond the Funding
Funding is the headline. The research environment is the longer-term return.
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities and holds the top position in Australia for research excellence and graduate employability. Graduate researchers gain access to world-class facilities, internationally recognized supervisors, strong industry partnerships and a genuinely diverse academic community.
For researchers whose work has global ambitions, that network matters beyond the degree itself
