There are a variety of scholarships you can apply for at any time throughout the year and some that can only be applied for during our annual scholarship round. Typically, scholarships are only available for students who can commit to full-time, internal enrolment.

2027 Annual Scholarship Round

Key dates for applicants

You can start working on an application now, however you should check our round opening and closing dates. If you submit an application before the round opens, you may be asked to resubmit your application.

If applying in the 2027 Annual Scholarship Round, submit your expression of interest (EOI) before the deadlines specified below.

All international students must meet QUT's English language eligibility requirements by the time they submit their scholarship application.

Open

1 April each year

Close

International applicants:
31 July each year

Domestic applicants:
31 August each year

Outcomes emailed

from 21 November each year

Scholarship start

January to July following the closure of the round

(successful applicants)

Applicants affected by world events

Current world events may make it difficult for some applicants to access the services needed to meet QUT’s eligibility requirements for submitting an EOI. To support applicants during this time, especially with tight deadlines, the university will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis for the following requirements:

  • English language eligibility:
    • If you can’t access an English testing centre, you can still submit your EOI. However, you will need to include a PDF or Word document with your EOI explaining why you haven’t met the English requirement. If your application is supported for admission, you will still need to meet English or have acceptable evidence of English equivalence before receiving an unconditional offer.
  • Applying through an agent:
    • If you’re required to apply through an agent but can’t access their services, contact us via email hdr@qut.edu.au. In your email, explain why you can’t apply through an agent, and we will review your situation and let you know the next steps.

However, QUT may take into consideration a student's ability to travel to Australia and commence the course and scholarship by the end of July 2027. Consider this when preparing an application and discuss it further with your potential supervisor if need be.

How to apply

I want to apply for a research degree and a scholarship

Check your eligibility for the research degree you’re interested in and the scholarship you want to apply for.

You can indicate your interest in a QUT scholarship (including the annual scholarship round) when you apply for admission to a QUT research degree. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application. Follow the instructions in the ‘financial details’ section of the expression of interest.

Find a proposed supervisor and prepare your research proposal using the template for your research area, then you can start your research degree application.

Follow the steps on how to apply

I'm already enrolled in a research degree and want to apply for a scholarship

If you're already enrolled at QUT in a research degree, you can apply for a scholarship for your current degree if you have written support of your principal supervisor.

Find out more information on HiQ

Selection criteria for our annual scholarship round

Scholarships are awarded to the most competitive applicants, based on each faculty's selection criteria (PDF file, 196.9 KB).

Scholarships offered

In the annual scholarship round, we offer three centrally-funded scholarships to support students who show exceptional potential in research.

Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend

A prestigious Australian federal government funded scholarship awarded by QUT to provide financial support to exceptional students.

Find out more about the RTP Stipend scholarship

QUT Postgraduate Research Award (QUTPRA)

Building research excellence by supporting students of exceptional research potential.

Find out more about the QUTPRA scholarship

Indigenous Postgraduate Research Award (IPRA)

For applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This scholarship is awarded throughout the year as well as during the annual scholarship round.

Find out more about the IPRA scholarship

How to get started

Follow these steps before you apply for a research degree.

1. Research degree options

Consider which research degree is right for you.

Learn more

2. Check your eligibility

Check your eligibility for research degrees.

Eligibility requirements

3. Find a supervisor

We recommend that you discuss your research interests with your proposed supervisor early in the application process.

You can search for a supervisor using our experts database.

Search for a supervisor

4. Find a research topic

As part of your application, you must propose a research topic and develop a research proposal. You may ask a supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.

You can search our student topics database for available research projects or propose your own research topic.

Search for a research topic

Apply anytime with targeted scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of targeted research scholarships suitable for different students, study areas and interests. Use the scholarship search to find a scholarship you’re eligible for, and how and when to apply.

Find a scholarship that's right for you

Stay connected

Sign-up for more information on the research degree application process, including tips and tricks on finding and approaching a supervisor, scholarship eligibility, key date reminders, and more.

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Contact us

Get in touch if you've got any questions about our scholarship rounds.