Research stipend scholarship (enrolled students)

If you're a high-achieving student enrolled in a doctoral degree at VU, you may be eligible for a research stipend scholarship. A scholarship provides financial assistance during your study.

Applications for Research Period 1 2026 are now open. The 2025 stipend scholarship value is $35,006 per annum.

The duration of enrolment already consumed will be deducted from the stipend duration. Stipends are paid only up to 3.5 years consumed load.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the scholarships, you must:

be enrolled as a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) candidate
at the time of application, have had Confirmation of Candidature:
- approved by their Institute – Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated), or
- planned and scheduled before 12 November 2025 – Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
have achieved an average score of 75% in the:
- Year 1 coursework – Doctor of Philosophy
- Year 1 coursework and Year 1 Thesis – Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
as of 1 January 2026, consumed load must be less than or equal to 2.0
enrol as a full-time candidate (on acceptance of offer).

Ineligible

PhD (Integrated) in coursework phase
currently a sponsored candidate or have a degree at the same level of applied degree.

: Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarships (Domestic) are awarded via a competitive process to graduate researchers on the basis of academic merit and research potential.
Annual stipend value: $35,006 (2025 rate)
Tuition Fees: covered by the RTP
Successful domestic students will still be required to pay the Student Services Amenity Fee (SSAF) every Research Period.
Note that the duration of enrolment already consumed will be deducted from the stipend duration. Stipend scholarships are paid only up to 3.5 years consumed load.
: VU is committed to encouraging people whose educational opportunities have been disrupted or adversely affected by their life circumstances to participate in graduate research.
Enrolled students that meet the above criteria are eligible to apply for the VU Doctoral Research Access Scholarship or VU Doctoral Research Diversity Scholarship. Refer to the Domestic Research Scholarship page for further information.
Applicants wishing to apply must submit the following documentation as part of their application:
Doctoral Research Access and Diversity Scholarship form
supporting evidence such as a letter of support from a community case-work, medical practitioner or other supporting practitioner.
Doctoral Research Access & Research Diversity Scholarship form (PDF, 283.08 KB)
This scholarship is awarded via a competitive process to graduate researchers on the basis of academic merit, research potential and identified need.
There are normally only 2 scholarships awarded for Research Period 1 each year.