Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027: 100% Fees Plus $41,100 A Year For International Researchers

If you are planning a Masters by Research or a PhD in Australia, the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 are one of the most generous awards you can aim for. The University of Melbourne offers around 600 of these scholarships to high-achieving domestic and international students, covering 100% of your tuition fees plus a living allowance of $41,100 a year. There is no separate scholarship form to fill in: if you apply for a graduate research course by the closing date, you are automatically considered. Round 1 has already closed, so the next chance is Round 2, closing 31 January 2027. Here is what the scholarship covers, who it is for, and how the rounds work.

What the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships cover

The award combines the Melbourne Research Scholarship and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, and the total value is up to $135,000. Here is what that means in practice.

Stipend and fee offset scholarships provide a full fee offset for up to two years for a Masters by Research degree or up to four years for a doctoral degree, plus a living allowance of $41,100 per year pro rata (the 2027 full-time rate) for up to two years for a Masters by Research or up to 3.5 years for a PhD. The living allowance may be indexed each year and includes limited paid sick, maternity and parenting leave. On top of that, you get a relocation grant of $2,000 if you move from another Australian state or territory, or $3,000 if you move from outside Australia, and Overseas Student Health Cover (single membership) if you are an international student who needs a student visa.

Fee offset scholarships provide the full fee offset alone, for up to two years for a Masters by Research or up to four years for a PhD. All domestic students who are offered admission to a Masters by Research or doctoral degree automatically receive an RTP Scholarship (Fee Offset) as part of their course offer.

Is this scholarship for you?

The scholarships are open to domestic and international students of all nationalities, across every field of study, from agriculture and engineering to arts, law, medicine and science. To be considered, you must have applied for and meet the entry requirements of a graduate research degree at the University of Melbourne, or already be enrolled in one.

Selection is competitive and based on academic merit. Stipend scholarships are offered to the candidates ranked highest by the relevant selection panels, based on their academic results from prior study and their research potential in their field. In plain terms, strong grades and a convincing research background matter most. There is no separate test of financial need, and there is no separate scholarship application for new students.

One condition worth knowing: your application can only be considered for a scholarship once your previous degree is complete and your final results are available. If your final results are not provided at least two weeks before the outcome date, your application will be considered in a following round instead.

How the rounds work, and the date that matters

Graduate research course applications can be lodged at any time during the year, but to be considered for a scholarship in a given round, your complete course application must be received by that round's closing date. Most scholarships are awarded in the first two rounds, so Round 2 is the round to aim for now.

The dates below are published by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS), and round dates can vary by faculty, so check the page for your own faculty or course before you rely on a date.

• Round 1: complete applications by 31 October 2026 (closed), outcomes by 18 December 2026.
• Round 2: complete applications by 31 January 2027, outcomes by 26 March 2027.
• Round 3: complete applications by 15 May 2027, outcomes by 16 July 2027.

Additional rounds may be advertised for specific scholarships. If you are successful, you must start your scholarship by 31 October of the academic year you were offered it, or the offer may be withdrawn.

If you have deferred your commencement or you are currently enrolled in a graduate research course and want to be reconsidered for a scholarship, the process may vary by faculty, and for MDHS, re-applications are only considered if submitted by the Round 1 deadline of 31 October.

Documents and what to prepare

Because there is no separate scholarship form for new applicants, your course application is your scholarship application. Make sure it is complete by the round closing date, including:

• Your completed application for a graduate research course (Masters by Research or PhD) at the University of Melbourne.
• Academic transcripts and evidence that your previous degree is complete, with final results available.
• Any documents your course or faculty asks for, such as a research proposal, CV or references, as listed on your course page.

Once you submit your course application, you should receive a notification that a scholarship application has been added to your record within ten business days.

How to apply for the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027

Step 1: Choose your graduate research course. Find a Masters by Research or PhD course that fits your field, and check its closing date and the round dates for your faculty. Remember that dates can differ between faculties.

Step 2: Submit a complete course application by 31 January 2027. Apply for the graduate research course through the University of Melbourne. Only complete applications received by the due date are assessed for candidature and scholarships in that round.

Step 3: Wait for the scholarship notification. Within ten business days of submitting your course application, you should be notified that a scholarship application has been added to your record. Scholarship offers that include a stipend and fee offset are made separately from course offers, but around the same time.

Step 4: Watch for the outcome by 26 March 2027. Round 2 applicants should be notified of the outcome by 26 March 2027.

Key dates for the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027

• 31 January 2027: Round 2 closing date for complete applications (check your faculty's dates).
• 26 March 2027: Round 2 outcomes notified.
• 15 May 2027: Round 3 closing date for complete applications.
• 31 October 2027: Latest date to start your scholarship if you are offered one.

Apply now

Six hundred scholarships, full fee remission, $41,100 a year to live on, relocation support and health cover: the Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships are a serious opportunity for anyone planning research study in Australia in 2027. The next deadline is 31 January 2027, and because only complete applications count, it pays to start early. Read the full details on the official University of Melbourne page: Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Melbourne. Round dates for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences are on the MDHS application and scholarship deadlines page, and you can apply for a graduate research course through the University of Melbourne graduate research application page.