Transform your future with a research scholarship
At Adelaide University, international graduate researchers with any major scholarship administered by the Adelaide University Graduate Research School are entitled to a fee waiver for the standard duration of candidature (i.e. up to 4 years for PhD, up to 2 years for MPhil, and up to 1.5 years for MRes).
Adelaide University Research Scholarships (AURS) and Research Training Program Scholarships (RTPS)
Available in every discipline area to support outstanding candidates pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy degree, the Adelaide University Research Scholarships (AURS) and Research Training Program Scholarships (RTPS) include:
- a stipend (living allowance) for the duration of the scholarship,
- a 100% tuition fee waiver for the duration of the award,
- additional allowances for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,
- additional allowances for relocation and, if applicable, Overseas Student Health Cover.
Further information is available in the Conditions of Award.
Scholarship rounds
Adelaide University offers different types of scholarship rounds for Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy applicants. Please note that these scholarship opportunities and rounds are distinct. If you are interested in multiple opportunities, please submit an application each.
Launching for graduate researchers commencing in 2027
Strategic Research Theme (SRT) Scholarship Round
The Signature Research Theme (SRT) Scholarships represent a new, project-based funding mechanism designed to attract outstanding graduate researchers and connect them with Adelaide University’s five Signature Research Themes:
- Creative and Cultural
- Defence and National Security
- Food, Agriculture & Wine
- Personal and Societal Health
- Sustainable Green Transition
These scholarships provide graduate researchers with the opportunity to contribute to impactful, transformative research aligned with the SRTs, while being embedded within dynamic and collaborative research communities. Participants will benefit from interdisciplinary engagement, with opportunities also for access to industry partners and external collaborations.
The scholarships are available for entry into Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programs and are open to domestic and international applicants.
Expression of Interest for the Strategic Research Theme (SRT) Scholarship Round are expected to open at the end of August 2026.
Graduate Research Talent Scheme
The Graduate Research Talent Scheme is an exciting new scholarship opportunity for outstanding domestic applicants, as well as international applicants who have completed a relevant Australian or New Zealand qualification commencing at Adelaide University in 2027. Designed to recognise academic excellence, research achievement and future research potential, the scheme will support high-performing graduate researchers across all research disciplines. You can propose your own projects, choose a project from the Find a research project webpage, or you can develop a new project together with your proposed supervisor.
Applications for the Graduate Research Talent Scheme are expected to open:
- Round 1: Early/mid-September 2026 through late October 2026
- Round 2: Mid-February 2027 through late March 2027
- Round 3: Mid-July 2027 through mid-August 2027
Out-of-round scholarships
In addition to the scholarships available during scholarship rounds, Adelaide University offers:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD and MPhil candidates can apply for a research scholarship at any time. Further information is available in the Conditions of Award.
- Master of Research Indigenous Scholarship (MResIS) – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples undertaking a Master of Research (MRes). Further information is available in the Conditions of Award.
- Master of Research Assistance Scholarships (MResAS), designed to support domestic graduate research students who would be eligible to receive Austudy or Youth Allowance if they were enrolled in a non-research program. For further information, read the Conditions of Award.
- Externally-funded major awards
- Top-up scholarships
- Research internship scholarships
- Travel scholarships.
How to apply
The application process is not the same for all scholarships. Those offered available ‘out of round’ will usually have their own application process and closing dates.
- Graduate Research Talent Scheme
Submit your application by the closing date, following the steps at how to Apply for a research degree. Applications are centrally assessed, and you will be offered both admission and scholarship(s) if your application is competitive. - Strategic Signature Theme (SRT) Scholarship Round is a multi-stage process. At first, please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the SRT Scholarship-funded research project(s) you are interested in. EoIs may be submitted by international and domestic applicants, unless project specifications state specific residency requirements. Each EoI is submitted for one advertised scholarship project and is reviewed by the project's nominated supervisor or supervisory panel to assess prospective applicant suitability before invitations are issued to undergo an interview process and if shortlisted, to submit a formal application for admission and scholarship. Available SRT Scholarship-funded projects are advertised on the university’s project website once the round is open. Link to the Expression of Interest Form will be provided by the end of August 2026.
- Master of Research Assistance scholarships
Applications are now open. Please download the application form and submit with all required documentation to research.scholarships@adelaide.edu.au. Applications can be submitted at any time. - Out of round scholarships, including external awards will have their own processes and closing dates. Opportunities will be advertised on the website, social media or in the graduate research newsletter.
Find scholarships
Available scholarship opportunities connected to a project (internally and externally funded) will be listed throughout the year on the Find a research project webpage. Scholarships without a dedicated project (e.g. philanthropic) will also be promoted throughout the year, please refer to the Research scholarships webpage.
Boost your scholarship competitiveness
Your competitiveness for scholarship(s) will be based on a combination of academic merit, research experience and, for some scholarship opportunities, alignment with the University’s strategic research goals.
Strengthen your application by using the Adelaide University’s structured CV template to highlight your:
- qualifications & grades,
- research outputs (e.g. publications, blogs, creative work),
- relevant research and professional experience, and
- achievements.
Scholarships are awarded to the highest ranked eligible applicants. Whether you are awarded a scholarship will be determined by the quality of your application relative to the other applications received.
